Developer Ed Walker’s vision for the former American Viscose property in Roanoke includes plans to develop spaces for the arts, as well as commercial and residential projects.

Emily Hemphill
Emily Hemphill is a freelance journalist from Elliston. She received a bachelor's degree in political science and journalism from the University of Mary Washington. She can be reached at emilyhemphill6@gmail.com.
Roanoke’s Norwich neighborhood proposed as an addition to register of historic places
A public meeting to discuss the proposal for the mostly industrial neighborhood will be held Monday.
Virginia Tech leads program to support women in local government leadership roles
The Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute recently graduated its second cohort, drawn from women in local government across the state.
Virginia Tech helps Christiansburg Institute preserve Black history archives
Artifacts from the former Black school have now been digitized. It’s part of a national push to preserve Black history records and make them more accessible.
Virginia Tech senior gives her adopted home a going-away gift: a community health fair
The event brings vaccinations, health screenings, naloxone training and more under one roof. Organizers say it could help create a new model for collaboration among agencies that are involved in community health and wellness.
Homicides are declining nationally but Roanoke has a record number of killings. City leaders are trying to figure out why.
The city has empaneled a special commission to study the causes. Among the factors: lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a history of racial injustice.
Roanoke College women’s swim team objected to trans athlete, faults school for lack of support
The trans athlete later quit the team, but the swimmers called on the Roanoke College administration, the NCAA and state lawmakers to prevent trans athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Dispute over filing fee blocks Danville Democrat from running for the House
The case of Jasmine Lipscomb has drawn social media attention across the country.
Will Davis and Ron Jefferson vie for Republican nomination in Franklin County House district
The June 20 primary for District 39, which also encompasses part of Roanoke County, may be tantamount to election. So far there is no Democratic candidate.
Del. Ballard easily wins re-nomination
The incumbent took 91.7% of the votes at a mass meeting. So far, there’s no Democrat on the ballot for this Republican-leaning district in the New River Valley.