Towns all across the region celebrated Independence Day on Friday!

It may be a holiday weekend, but that doesn’t mean everyone gets to take the day off. For first responders, this can be one of the busiest times of the year.

The first day of Buchanan’s Community Carnival — known to locals as “Buck-Cannon’s” — wrapped up Thursday night

New York’s governor is calling for the construction of the state’s first new nuclear power plant in decades.

Twin River Outfitters prioritizes safety on the James River this Memorial Day, emphasizing life jacket use and awareness of river hazards to prevent drowning.

New Freedom Farm will officially cease operations on July 31 of this year, as Founder and Director Lois Magill prepares for retirement after nearly a decade of dedicated service.

New Freedom Farm is serving up community this Thanksgiving, with a Thanksgiving feast for veterans.

The 2024 General Election will be held on Nov. 5. You can find results for Botetourt County here.

A candlelight vigil was held to pay respect to a dog who died too soon.

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is searching for answers after finding a dog that was left to die.

Knights hope that a big boost in off-season workouts will pay off.

The Botetourt County Fair returned to Buchanan this weekend.

A structure fire was reported on Sunday that left a family of five displaced, said Botetourt County Fire Department.

Thanks to Rita Breeden for today’s Picture of the Day from Buchanan.

There are several Memorial Day ceremonies today where you can honor and remember the men and women who died protecting our freedom, including one that has been going on for decades.

A local river excursion company is offering safety advice ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

New Freedom Farm is once again providing a safe space for veterans and first responders.

Thanks to Shonda for today’s Picture of the Day from Buchanan.

Firefighters in Botetourt County battled multiple brush fires Friday afternoon, according to Botetourt County Fire & EMS.

Hundreds of residents across Southwest Virginia are without power Tuesday morning as strong winds continue to move through the state.

Bringing light to a town at its darkest time. A flood that swarmed the town of Buchanan left the locals with no water. Neighboring town sent gallon jugs of water to help during the November flood starting a tradition in December to repurpose the jugs as luminaries.

A Botetourt County crash has claimed the life of a 63-year-old woman, according to Virginia State Police.

Thanks to Shonda for today’s Picture of the Day from Buchanan.

The game’s final score was 14-0, Carroll Co.

This year was record-breaking for the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival.

James River, now 3-0 for the first time since 2018.

Week three of 1st and 10, and we’ve got a resurgence of a couple proud, proud programs in Buchanan and Buena Vista.

Good news for all our beer lovers out there! A well-known brewery in the Star City is growing its roots.

Tacking it on, and bringing it home. It was 34-16 James River.

Thanks to Lara Wilson from Buchanan for sending us today’s Picture of the Day.

Tickets are on sale now for Buchanan’s “Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival.”

VDOT says the crash mentioned below has been cleared.

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people after an altercation along the James River near Buchanan.

James RIver's softball team was well-represented on the VHSL All-State teams.

SW Virginia schools will be well represented in this year's spring jubilee. State semifinals are Friday.

Since Bryan Loan's death, his family has worked to keep his memory alive and raise awareness for Veteran's mental health.

The rainy weather forced the remembrance service to be moved inside.

Buchanan native Russell Smith served in the Army during World War II, where he was killed in combat. Decades later, the veteran received the headstone he deserved thanks to a local nonprofit.

Some events have been changed, others have been canceled

WATCH: James River softball cruises to victory over Alleghany

The Knights have a total of 11 from this year's senior class that will play at the college level.

There are plenty of other places taking part in Botetourt County's Restaurant Week

UPDATE

Parry McCluer hosted Eastern Montgomery girls in the Pioneer District championship Friday night. The Fighting Blues won in double overtime 55-51.

Glenvar clinched the Region 2C wrestling championship on Saturday at James River High School. The Highlanders had six champions in the finals, including senior Mason Hylton, who won the 132lb class.

Thanks to Lara in Buchanan for sending today’s Picture of the Day.

Thanks to Shonda in Buchanan for sending today’s Picture of the Day.

The halo around the moon was caused by the refraction of light in ice crystals up above

James River High School Senior, Macy Williams was selected to perform the alto saxophone with Macy's Great American Marching Band in this year's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

It’s a tradition that started in 2016 – New Freedom Farm hosts a free Thanksgiving meal for veterans and their families every year.

Carroll took the win on Friday night, 28-7.

Local pet shelters including Angels of Assisi have run out of room to help more animals.

Joseph Rae has been studying the art of Bujinkan for nearly 30 years and is now taking on a new role as an instructor.

A person is seriously injured after a car crash in Botetourt County.

Floyd County took home a big win last week in triple overtime against Glenvar, but on Friday night, they had to face off with a Three Rivers District opponent: James River.

The game’s final score was 17-14, with James River victorious.

Thanks to Shonda for today’s Picture of the Day from Buchanan.

Tasha Scheffey's family and friends held a fundraiser at New Freedom Farm today to support her on her long battle with Covid-19.

Thanks to Jason for today’s Picture of the Day from Buchanan.

Bill Price made a promise to his godfather, a New York Firefighter, that he would never forget the lives lost on 9/11.

7th annual Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival opens this weekend

It was a quick lead and a strong offensive line that led the Knights to victory.

Gavin Price was struggling to reach his peanut butter jar collection goal this year for kids in need, but on Tuesday, he got a big surprise.

Every year, a Botetourt County boy makes a difference here in our community – making sure no other child goes hungry. This year he’s facing several obstacles … and needs your help.

The Knights hosted their first ever playoff home game in fall 2021.

The Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival will be in full bloom soon.

Good view, good people and good food - Foot of the Mountain checks off all three

Roanoke City and Roanoke County crews received the call around 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Between the two departments and the city of Salem, 17 personnel were sent to the area with boats and equipment.

On Wednesday, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to help those affected by the heavy downpours and flooding with more response and recovery efforts, according to a press release.

One of the valley’s longest-running events comes to a close Saturday.

Buchanan recently welcomed three new businesses to downtown including Faithful Country Creations, Gateway Real Estate, and a new restaurant, Tammie’s Place.

Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash in Botetourt County.   The crash happened July 1, 2022 on Route 11, near Kessler Lane, just outside of Buchanan, Va., at 5:10 p.m. yesterday afternoon.

Due to recent rain, the James River has reached dangerously high levels for some outdoor enthusiasts, forcing one holiday weekend hot spot to temporarily close its doors.

Four veterans are honored today at New Freedom Farm for serving not only the country but their hometowns.

As we move into spring, the town of Buchanan has the perfect outdoor activity for plant lovers.

Ukraine is more than five thousand miles away from the United States but Southwest Virginians are stepping up to show support.

Humphries helped lead the Knights to their lone state basketball title.

Crews responded to a major wreck on I-81 northbound in Botetourt County Friday night.

Patriots defeated the Bruins 51-29.

Thanks to Lara for sending us today's Picture of the Day from Buchanan!

An army veteran was surprised Saturday in Buchanan with a horse to care for as his own.

Volunteers spend Christmas Eve setting up milk jugs that are transformed into luminaries along a half mile strip of downtown Buchanan. The decades long tradition began after the flood of 1985.

Whether they served in the Spanish American War or in Desert Storm, 500 veterans buried in Buchanan are not forgotten this Christmas.

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 5-seed Bulldogs beat the 4-seed Knights 16-13.

After the flood in Hurley, United Way of Southwest Virginia’s Hurley Long-Term Relief Fund has been working to help the citizens in the community.

Thanks to Andrea for sending us today's Picture of the Day from Buchanan!

At the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival, good weather and good planning made for a record-breaking turnout this year.

Many people across southwest Virginia experienced lots of rain tonight as storms rolled through Wednesday evening. The rainfall caused many parts of Botetourt County to suffer high flood waters on roadways.

A nonprofit farm kicked off its biggest annual fundraiser Saturday to help veterans who struggle with PTSD.

Events in Buchanan honoring the lives lost on 9/11 begin Friday with a screening of the movie “World Trade Center'' and continue Saturday morning with a remembrance walk.

The Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival runs Sept. 10 through Sept. 19 in Botetourt County.

A 61-year-old woman from Buchanan will spend two years in federal prison after she pleaded guilty to multiple credit card fraud charges from summer 2016.

All the jars are going to a Backpack Buddies. The program delivers bags of food for the weekend to students who get free or reduced school lunch.

Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS worked together to save 12 kayakers who found themselves stranded in the middle of the James River Sunday morning.

As Candace Monaghan prepared to run her first sunflower festival in 2016, one thought ran through her head: ‘Who’s gonna pay to see a sunflower?’

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.

The 10th annual evening of music led by Old Dominion frontman, Matthew Ramsey, is scheduled for Sunday, September 19 at James River High School in Buchanan.