News · Star City Briefing
Star City Briefing for Aug. 28, 2026
- Weather. No active alerts. Showers and storms mainly between 2 and 5 p.m., high near 87 (~40%), then lingering chances early tonight. Patchy fog possible overnight. No school closings or delays. (NWS Blacksburg)
- VetFest. Salem VA Medical Center is running a veteran enrollment fair Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. WFIR says bring a DD-214, photo ID, and insurance if you have them; same-day primary care is on offer. (WFIR)
- Shows. The Exchange is packing fall: Poe speakeasy Sept. 10–12, Lettuce Oct. 1, Maggie Rose Oct. 8, Futurebirds Nov. 20. WFIR says they are already booking 2027. (WFIR)
- Hokies. James Franklin's first Virginia Tech game is Sept. 5 in Blacksburg against VMI, a series WFIR says has been dormant 42 years. (WFIR)
- Forum. Roanoke City Council candidates took questions on Flock cameras, the city budget, and school funding at a Greater Deyerle forum Thursday night. (The Roanoke Times)
- Arrest. Police charged Timothy Ralph Boyd, 58, with robbery after an incident Thursday in the 1700 block of Hershberger Road. WSLS reports LPR work led officers to a vehicle address where he was taken into custody; he is held at the Roanoke City Jail. (WSLS)
- Screens. Parents pressed the state board on classroom devices. Cardinal News says Roanoke County superintendent Jamie Soltis is auditing the laptop program and cutting screen time in K–2. (Cardinal News)
- Clinic. VIA Centers opened a Pediatric ABA clinic at 312 Whitwell Drive, next to its Roanoke Day School. Cardinal News said families were already enrolled. (WFXR)
- County. Roanoke County says Enterprise GIS will have intermittent outages from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Saturday for planned service updates. (Roanoke County)
- Crime. Mayor Cobb said downtown crime is down 50% this year. WDBJ reports the city is at nine homicides year-to-date, matching all of 2025. (WDBJ)
- Housing. The Least of These is renovating a Roanoke house it bought in October for affordable rent as people leave its motel program, WSLS reports. Renovation Alliance is helping; no finish date yet. (WSLS)
- Warehouse. The 378,720-square-foot Rowe Furniture warehouse in Elliston sold for $32 million on Aug. 21, WSLS reports. A Virginia family office bought it; Thalhimer arranged the deal. (WSLS)
- Salem. Salem Lions Wheels of Hope plans 125 bikes and safety gear for elementary students starting in 2026-27, WFXR reports. School staff pick the kids; stadium concession money is backing it. (WFXR)
- Schools. RCPS is restating stadium rules ahead of Friday football: clear bags, no outside food or drinks, no re-entry, kids with an adult — and cheer for your team without fouling the other side. (WDBJ)
- Crash. County police identified John Scritchfield, 69, as the pedestrian killed Aug. 20 near Colonial Avenue and Thompsons Lane. The driver stayed; the investigation continues. (Roanoke County)
- Weekend. Salem After Five is Friday at the Farmers Market. Taco Fest is Saturday at Elmwood. Salem VA VetFest is 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday. Bear Theatre's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof closes Sunday. (City of Roanoke)
- Giles. Giles County will stop using Flock Safety now and end the contract Oct. 16, a year early. WSLS reports one of the two cameras was stolen and thrown off a bridge. (WSLS)
Weather. NWS: no active alerts for Roanoke. Showers/storms mainly 2–5 p.m., high near 87 (~40%); lingering chances early tonight, patchy fog possible overnight. No school closings or delays reported. NWS Roanoke · WDBJ forecast
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