Local Office on Aging reflects on past year, future needs
ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke Valley’s Local Office on Aging is looking back on the past year and looking forward to the next decade. The organization held its annual meeting virtually on Thursday to reflect on what they’ve been through during the pandemic and the needs still ahead. Despite COVID-19, they were able to deliver more than 88,000 meals for Meals on Wheels, coordinate medical care and provide transportation. During the meeting, the head of Virginia’s Department of Social Services, S. Duke Storen, said their work wouldn’t have been possible without those volunteers. AdWith an aging population, they said there needs to be a greater focus on nutrition and health, transportation and helping seniors stay physically and financially independent.
Here are the reopening plans for 18 local school divisions
AdCarroll County Public SchoolsThe school division has returned to in-person instruction for all students four days a week. Wednesdays are still virtual learning days. Current high school students will keep their original A or B-Day schedules until the end of the third 9 weeks, March 26. Roanoke County Public SchoolsRoanoke County is continuing with its current plans. The school divison started the school year with grades PK-2 in full-time, in-person instruction.
Virginia General Election Results for Craig County on Nov. 3, 2020
The 2020 General Election will be held on November 3. You can find results for Craig County here. This includes how the county voted in the U.S. Presidential, U.S. Senate and any U.S. House races or locally-contested races. Use the picker below to find them:Find Race ResultsOnly care how other counties and cities in the area voted? You’ll find all those options in this picker:How cities, counties in our region votedGet the latest Virginia election news here
Sweet Springs Resort opens its door to paranormal activity hunters
SWEET SPRINGS, W.Va. – Paranormal investigators are searching one of our region’s hidden gems, and they want your help. The West Virginia Paranormal Investigators are at the Old Sweet Springs Resort in Monroe County. Now the Sweet Springs Foundation is rehabbing the property to its former glory. And to help fund that project they’re hosting these tours for people to learn the secrets of the past. Visit Sweet Springs Resort’s website and Facebook Page for more information.
Tasty Tuesday: The Swinging Bridge keeps buffalo, southern charm on the menu
You can have that but also try something new by heading to The Swinging Bridge restaurant in Paint Bank. The restaurant is in the back of the old general store with log cabin decor and incredible smells galore! He’s been at The Swinging Bridge since the very beginning, slicing chips on the mandolin, deep frying rolls and grilling the buffalo to perfection. Thinly sliced buffalo roast beef is the headliner for the Great White Buffalo Sandwich , topped with onion straws and homemade horseradish. When you’re done eating, put your fork down, come upstairs and walk across the actual swinging bridge to either side of the year-round Christmas gift shop.
Health department holds free COVID-19 testing in Roanoke, Craig County
People in Roanoke and Craig County will be able to get a free coronavirus test later this week, according to the Virginia Dept. Testing in Roanoke will be on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Berglund Center. There are around 200 tests available. In New Castle, there are 100 tests available for people to get tested on Thursday at the Craig County Health Center from 4 to 6 p.m.To register for either testing location, you can call 540-769-2052.
Rescue Christmas: Why the Salvation Army is starting holiday campaigns now
This week, the Salvation Army announced its biggest fundraiser of the year is starting two months early. Captain Jaime Clay of Salvation Army Roanoke said their focus will be making the process touchless to protect volunteers and anyone who wants to donate. Closer to the holidays you will see red kettles, but not nearly as many as you would typically see. Salvation Army of Roanoke covers the city of Roanoke, Salem, Vinton and Roanoke, Botetourt and Craig counties. Keep updated with what the Salvation Army of Roanoke is doing on Facebook here.
20 arrested, two still wanted on drug charges in ‘Operation Unmasked’
ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. – An operation involving law enforcement from several local and state agencies resulted in an Alleghany County grand jury indicting 22 people on 59 mostly drug-related charges. On July 23, officers started arresting those indicted, and as of Thursday, all but two people indicted as a result of “Operation Unmasked” had been arrested, according to Alleghany County Sheriff Kevin Hall. The two people who are still wanted are Regina Angle and Micahel Brewster Jr., who are both from Covington, according to the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office. Officers from the Craig County Sheriff’s Office, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, Clifton Forge Police Department and Covington Police Department assisted the task force in this effort. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Angle and Brewster Jr. is asked to call the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office at 540-965-1770 or the Drug Task Force at 540-965-6308.
Tasty Tuesday: Lasterday Market proves that southern comfort goes beyond the food
NEW CASTLE, Va. – At Lasterday Market , “We like biscuits. “We have a lot of iterations of sweet tea float. Sometimes, you have to talk people into doing it.”For those that are unfamiliar with a sweet tea float, it’s a root beer float. Instead of root beer, you put in sweet tea. That’s especially because Lasterday Market is a place that makes you feel like you’re in your own dining room.
LOA moves major Meals on Wheels on fundraiser to virtual format
It’s part of its Let’s Give Lunch fundraiser for its Meals on Wheels program. The event is known as Let’s Have Lunch, but going virtual and a tweak in the name isn’t the only change you’ll see. From there, you can see entertainers, meet volunteers, staff and the seniors who benefit from Meals on Wheels. On average, Meals on Wheels helps more than 800 seniors from the Roanoke Valley to the Allegany Highlands which is more than 120,000 meals. “We have opened up and we are adding more people into Meals on Wheels.
Tornado warning expires for parts of Roanoke and Montgomery counties
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE: The National Weather Service has expired the tornado warning early. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Roanoke and Montgomery counties. At 3:37 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Huffman, or near Mountain Lake, moving southeast at 35 mph. Tornado Warning on April 8 Tornado warning issued parts of for parts Roanoke and Montgomery counties. At one point, the warning covered parts of Craig and Giles counties, but that has since been lifted in those areas.
Craig County resident tests positive for the coronavirus
CRAIG COUNTY, Va. – A Craig County resident has tested positive for the coronavirus. While many people said they knew of a confirmed case, someone finally came forward, according to Cady and that person provided some names. That information allowed county officials to investigate the validity of those claims, where they discovered that one person had tested positive for the coronavirus. He or she was tested outside of Craig County but does reside within the county, according to Cady. County officials are now working with health officials to improve the notification of confirmed cases.
How to help a local senior in need without leaving the house
ROANOKE, Va. – Some local seniors who are homebound or don’t have someone to go to the store for them don’t have the supplies they need for this difficult time. That’s why the Local Office on Aging is asking for your help. LOA serves approximately 14,000 seniors in the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig and Alleghany and the cities of Roanoke, Salem and Covington. Canned meatsCanned fruitsCanned vegetablesPeanut butterPasta and soupsBreakfast barsInstant Carnation Breakfast EssentialsToilet paperGlovesHand sanitizerMasks“Our emergency food pantry is our most need now, we’re trying to get emergency food bags into every home. Boyd said they are taking extra precautions to make sure seniors are served and volunteers are protected in the process.
Craig County joins growing list of Second Amendment sanctuaries
CRAIG COUNTY, Va. – Craig County joins the growing list of areas becoming Second Amendment sanctuaries. According to the county’s Republican party, the Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 1 in favor of the resolution. Prior to Election Day, the idea of a Second Amendment sanctuary was unheard of. James Edmunds says he’s drafting a new bill that would allow sanctuaries to ignore any new state gun control laws. Edmunds is willing to re-introduce the bill if it fails.
Craig County schools all clear after Sheriff's Office enacts lockdown
CRAIG COUNTY, Va. - Authorities say a domestic situation placed both Craig County schools on lockdown Friday. The Craig County Sheriff's Office says it received a call about a domestic situation at 60 Meadow Ave. in New Castle that involved a gun and a suspect in the area. The schools and Craig County Child Care Center were placed on lockdown as a precaution until authorities could learn more about the situation and the suspect, according to the Craig County Sheriff's Office. The lockdown started around 12:03 p.m. and was lifted around 12:50 p.m., according to the Sheriff's Office. Authorities told school officials that the lockdown was a precautionary measure due to a domestic situation in New Castle.