From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar – With a look at some of the events coming up this weekend and in the near future. That includes a new book author discussion and signing, and a full weekend of music at Dr. Pepper Park. The post A new book on “Murder…… Continue Reading
All teachers in at least four Roanoke-area school systems are back at work today — Roanoke, Franklin, Botetourt and Craig Counties — preparing for the resumption of classes next week. As they do, one main goal across the region is closing the learning gap that developed during the pandemic. State and national student tests scores…… Continue Reading
Botetourt County Supervisors will continue leaving it to library staffers to determine what books should be available. Teens can visit and make choices without a parent, but children under 13 must still have a parent present. That continues current policies and practices, but in recent months, some opponents have been urging Botetourt County to restrict…… Continue Reading
Six new outdoor Pickleball courts painted in bright colors at Walrond Park in northeast Roanoke County made their official debut with a ribbon cutting this morning. An app being used to help schedule local Pickleball games – usually played in a doubles format – now has close to 2000 members on it. Walrond park has…… Continue Reading
Roanoke City recorded its first fatal shooting for August less than one hour into the new month. Police say officers were called to the 400 block of Westside Boulevard around 12:50 am where they found a man lying outside a vehicle. He died later under hospital treatment. As has been the case with a series…… Continue Reading
Foster Care organizations all over the region are in need of your help because there are more children in need than homes to take them in. DePaul Community Resources matches children in need with foster parents, and officials there say they saw the need grow during the pandemic. Potential foster parents go through a 10-week…… Continue Reading
Roanoke County Parks will celebrates completion of six new pickleball courts today at Walrond Park in the Hollins area. It is the latest part of an to create more such courts across the county. If you are unfamiliar, pickleball is somewhat like tennis but on a smaller court, and in recent years, it has surged…… Continue Reading
While health care in the U.S. is expensive, higher medical costs don’t necessarily translate to better results — with a new survey putting Virginia in the middle group of U.S. States. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports, The U.S. lags behind other rich countries in several healthcare indicators. The post Study: Va ranks in middle…… Continue Reading
Teachers in many area school systems will return to their classrooms tomorrow, preparing for the start of another school year. As they do, even where all — or almost all — teaching positions are currently filled, there are serious concerns about the long-term prospects. In Botetourt County, Superintendent John Russ says as of last Friday,…… Continue Reading
Thousands of children will be headed back to school soon, and state health officials say that means it’s time to check your child’s vaccine records. Area doctors’ offices are getting busy as parents hurry to get their children ready for a new school year. If you are not sure what vaccines your student may need,…… Continue Reading