Roanoke Valley - Page 3 of 11

The Evans Spring area is the mostly undeveloped land across Interstate 581 from Valley View Mall. This is the view looking south, toward downtown Roanoke, as seen from the Lick Run Greenway. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

Local

Roanoke holds more community meetings on zoning, Evans Spring and vape shops

by Samantha Verrelli January 26, 2026January 23, 2026

The meetings will be held this week and next at locations across the city.

Local

Roanoke City Council votes to change school funding policy as city grapples with financial challenges

by Samantha Verrelli January 21, 2026January 20, 2026

The superintendent warned that the change “will have a devastating impact” on the city’s schools.

Local

Roanoke City Council to adopt new school funding policy

by Samantha Verrelli January 19, 2026January 16, 2026

The council will also appropriate $4.3 million to Roanoke City Public Schools for modular classroom spaces, or trailers, at both high schools.

Local

A driving force: Donald Caldwell, Roanoke’s chief prosecutor, retires after nearly a half-century in office

by Neil Harvey December 31, 2025December 31, 2025

Caldwell — long known for his hands-on, detail-oriented approach — has run the city’s commonwealth’s attorney’s office since 1979 and will step down Wednesday. But in recent interviews, he said he does not yet feel his work is done, and plans to return to the office, part-time and behind the scenes, sometime this year, possibly by spring.

A large white building in the left of the frame, Dan River Falls, stand adjacent to a canal with two geese swimming in its waters.

Local

Then & Now development projects: Danville’s riverfront, Roanoke’s Walker Foundry, Lynchburg’s Blackwater Creek

by Grace Mamon, Samantha Verrelli and Emma Malinak December 31, 2025December 28, 2025

Riverfront projects in Danville make progress. Developer moves forward with affordable housing plans at former Walker Foundry site in Roanoke. Lynchburg officials announce completion of Blackwater Creek restoration, with final touches planned for 2026.

Redbird

Virginia is learning that composting doesn’t stink after all.

by Samantha Verrelli December 30, 2025December 29, 2025

This small Roanoke composting facility has survived three years of business, when conversations about composting are just beginning in the city and the state.

Local

Audit of Roanoke’s municipal purchasing cards finds lack of approvals for more than $880,000 in charges

by Samantha Verrelli December 24, 2025December 23, 2025

The expense reports aren’t missing, the city auditor said, but a combination of technology and staffing issues caused a lag in approvals.

Local

Roanoke third grader makes his case to city officials for park improvements

by Samantha Verrelli December 15, 2025December 12, 2025

Jackson Gunter will address the city council on Monday about his vision: less litter and more repairs to broken playground equipment at Highland Park.