The holidays after losing a loved one can be a difficult time. Which is why the Buchanan based non-profit, Sirens and Salutes is honoring those who lost their lives this year in the line of duty.
The Roanoke Valley is known for its festivals and a fairly new one has rooted its place as a must-see in the area. The Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival has grown from just a small idea to one that draws tens of thousands of people in.
In the second quarter of James River’s game verus Parry McCluer Friday, the Knights got on the board, and they needed the extra point to tie it up. Kicker Morgan Marshall hurried out to the field for the point after attempt.
Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. BUCHANAN, Va. – James River Knights scored 26 unanswered points to beat the Alleghany Mountaineers Friday night, 26-0. James River crowned with season-opening win over Alleghany The Knights won 26-0 Friday nightIf you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558.
BUCHANAN, Va. – People who want to hit Virginia’s waterways may have to pay more to do it this coming year. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is charging new fees for using state access ramps. Those with a boat registered in Virginia, a hunting or fishing license, or other state access passes are exempt as they already pay into the system. In Buchanan, Twin River Outfitters does half its business with out-of-state tourists. Only the operator will be required to pay the access fee, meaning one fee for a tandem kayak, for example.
ROANOKE, Va – The Roanoke Rescue Mission’s annual Drumstick Dash moved to a virtual race in 2020, but that didn’t stop one Buchanan woman from pursuing her dream. Kelly Berry and her mother Teresa said Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without the Drumstick Dash. “It’s been an interesting year with the virtual races because a lot of people are missing important races; I know I do,” Kelly Berry said. “To all the ones that can’t make it home, ‘Happy Thanksgiving,’” Kelly Berry said. There is still time to sign up and run the Drumstick Dash.
Buchanan, Va. – It was something that was always talked about, but never realized. James River high school unveiled its new, state of the art, all-weather six lane track. Planning began more than a year ago and Knights athletic director Vincent Wyatt says construction took just 3 months to complete. When I first started coaching here we’d always talk about how it’d be nice if we got a new track. And we have some really good kids, good student-athletes and they came down and loved it from the time they stepped foot on it,” Wyatt said.
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Safety improvements are coming to one of the most dangerous stretches of Interstate 81 in Virginia. Winding curves on the stretch of I-81 through Botetourt County near Buchanan oftentimes make it a very dangerous area, as it has one of the highest crash rates on the interstate. The most recent data from VDOT shows 52 crashes in that section in a two-year period. Crews will be:Repaving the road to increase tractionAdding new pavement markersInstalling underground drainsPermanently closing an exit that sees minimal traffic. “It’ll help reduce some of the speed differentials, the lane changes associated with the exiting vehicles there so that should help improve safety,” VDOT spokesperson Jason Bond said.
The 5th annual Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival attracted thousands of people so far. Everyone that comes leaves here with a smile.”The event did make several socially-distanced changes for the year. We’re not going to cancel, so how do we make it happen?’”The sunflower festival also featured vendors such as Tamara Dennis who said it’s a vital event for her business. All of my summer events were either cancelled or modified.”Dennis said she’s grateful the sunflower festival could keep going this year. The sunflower festival continues on Saturday, Sept. 19.
When he moved to Buchanan last year, he decided to start a memorial walk down Main Street welcoming anyone who wanted to join him. To join the 2nd Annual Memorial Walk, meet at the Buchanan Fire Station on Main Street at 8 a.m. for opening remarks. Then the walk will begin promptly at 8:46 a.m., the same time the first plane (American Airlines Flight 11) crashed into a tower. Price’s godfather worked as a New York City Firefighter at the time of the attacks and was able to attend the first memorial walk last year. During the walk, Price carries a fire hose with the names of the firefighters killed.
Starting Saturday, Sept. 12 you can walk the more than 20 acres of Beaver Dam Farm in Buchanan for its annual sunflower festival. Changes this year include online ticket sales to make sure the event is meeting safety guidelines. Founder of the festival, Candace Monaghan said when you buy a ticket its for a specific time block. They just ask people not to show up or pick from their farm outside of farm hours. Online ticket sales are intended to limit the capacity at once, but that doesnt change the flow of business this festival brings to the entire community.
BUCHANAN, Va. – Graduation ceremonies at James River High School came with a big surprise. I graduated from James River High School just like you and I’m here to say congratulations. You worked really hard to get hear,” said Old Dominion front man Matt Ramsey in a pre-recorded video. Ramsey didn’t just send his congratulations, but also a donation of $50,000 to James River High School for its fine arts program. “Before you run off into the world, going whatever you’re gonna do next, look around, you live in one of the most beautiful spots in the world,” Ramsey reminded the seniors.
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – This crash has been cleared. Those heading north on Interstate 81 may want to avoid a section in Botetourt County. At mile marker 162, near the Buchanan exit, a tractor-trailer crash is causing a 4.5-mile backup. As of 12:27 p.m., both the left lane and left shoulder are closed.
BUCHANAN, Va. – A Buchanan horse farm focused on helping veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder now has a new addition. The Steve Goodwin Veterans Center opened at New Freedom Farm Saturday morning. The center provides a place for veterans to relax indoors, as well as New Freedom Farm’s offices. “New Freedom Farm means everything to me," said Andrew Kintgen, an Army veteran who teaches at the farm. "He had more faith in me than I did.”New Freedom Farm has been in operation since 2016.
BUCHANAN, Va. – Gavin Price of Buchanan hoped to help the hungry with his 8th birthday party this weekend, but no one showed up. “I hope he remembers it all,” said Gavin’s father, Bill Price. “Not just the good part, but the bad part.”Gavin’s father said his son originally didn’t want a birthday party but decided to have one in order to collect jars of peanut butter for the hungry. The Philadelphia Eagles’ owners heard about Gavin’s cause as well, and sent him a special surprise for the party. “I’ve told him before, ‘Don’t try to change the world, just try to change the little area where you live,’" Bill Price said.
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. - A tractor trailer crashed has caused a traffic backup northbound on Interstate 81 through a section of Botetourt County. Fire and EMS crews reported the crash around 8:30 Sunday morning at mile marker 167.6, which is north of Buchanan. As of 9 a.m., VDOT reported that all northbound lanes were closed. EMS crews also reported that there was a diesel spill at the scene. The department posted the following pictures to its Facebook page:Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.
Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. Governor Ralph Northam will visit Botetourt County today. To celebrate, the T-Room will offer 84-cent hot dogs and hamburgers today at both of its locations. The Virginia Small Business Development center and the Town of Bedford hold a workshop today on exporting Virginia products. Lynchburg Christian Academy will sell shirts today and tomorrow, supporting the fight against cancer.
LYNCHBURG, Va. - House by house, Lynchburg police, sheriff's deputies and community members walked along Buchanan, Floyd, Pierce, and Filmore streets Wednesday evening, talking to residents about recent incidents on the streets. Filmore Street resident Wilson Carter's biggest complaint is about traffic. He's also concerned about school teachers parking along 12th Street near Robert Payne Elementary. "They let the school teachers during the school year park, and when cars come over the top of that hill running 60, 70 miles per hour, they're going to run over somebody one of these days," Carter said. Less than 30 minutes into the walk, Police Chief Ryan Zudema said it was already paying off.
A country music superstar is coming home to Botetourt County for a special one-night concert and he's bringing his songwriting friends with him. Matthew Ramsey, front man of Old Dominion, created the event several years ago as a way to make a difference in his hometown. He wanted to know what he could do to help the community.About a 100 people attended Nashville Night that first year in support of a local food pantry. She says this community has been so supportive and that was evident when Old Dominion played the Berglund Center last fall. Nashville Night tickets will be on sale at the Buchanan library on Aug. 16th from noon- 7 p.m. and Aug. 17th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Screen capture of the VDOT camera at mile marker 162 taken at 9:37 p.m. on July 8, 2019. BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. - A tractor-trailer crash is causing serious delays on Interstate 81 in Botetourt County. At mile marker 162, just before the Buchanan exit, a tractor-trailer, heading north, crashed into the guardrail. At this time, traffic is getting by in the left lane. As of 9:17 p.m., VDOT estimates traffic is backed up 2 miles.
