What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to you?
ROANOKE, Va. – Martin Luther King Jr. Day holds different meaning for different people. “It’s just a celebration of who we all are as humans,” said Kiera Toney, who just moved to Roanoke from Martinsville. His daughter, Sarah, said that everyone should treat each other “nicely and the same.”After the killing of George Floyd in May 2020 reignited the Black Lives Matter movement, Toney says she feels the weight of this day even more. “It’s 2021 at this point and I’d really hate to think that Dr. King’s legacy from the 60s and earlier haven’t changed anything,” said Toney. Newly-elected Roanoke City Council Member Robert Jeffrey Jr. said that it’s OK to pause and learn from King’s teachings.
Directory created to help Roanoke minority- and women-owned businesses
ROANOKE, Va. – As more people look for ways to support local businesses, there’s a new initiative that aims to make that easier. Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is launching a new directory to highlight minority and women-owned businesses. “If someone is looking for like a contractor, or a cake maker or whatever, they will have an easier time locating those folks,” Roanoke Regional Chamber President and CEO Joyce Waugh said. “My hope is that the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce will find grass root organizations and lead this to be a bigger and better operation,” she added. The online directory will be available on the chamber’s website by March.
What’s News Today: Holiday happenings, find your money
The town also holds a reverse Holiday Parade. Patrick Henry Drive will be closed from Progress Street to North Main Street beginning at 5:30 for setup. That’s followed by the winter WonderLot Christmas Parade from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The reverse Christmas Parade will take place in the Salem Civic Center Parking lot. The Town of Amherst holds its reverse Christmas Parade tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Meet the newest members of a historic Roanoke City Council
ROANOKE, Va. – For the first time in the Star City, minorities will hold the majority on Roanoke City Council with four African Americans, one Latina and two white members. Democrat Robert Jeffrey Jr. and independent Stephanie Moon Reynolds will join incumbent democrats Mayor Sherman Lea and Councilwoman Trish White-Boyd. “It speaks well to the equity and empowerment that we’re trying to project in our city," said Lea. Council members Michelle Davis and Anita Price did not run for re-election in 2020. Lea said council is going to hold a public hearing on the bus station and council members are going in with open minds.
Roanoke voters elect city’s first majority Black city council
ROANOKE, Va. – The results are in, and voters in Roanoke have selected three new city council members. Trish White-Boyd (D) has been elected as Vice Mayor, along with Robert Jeffrey Jr. (D) and Stephanie Moon Reynolds (I), who were elected to city council. The three beat out five other candidates, and the only incumbent among the group was White-Boyd. This is the city’s first majority Black city council. To see the results from the race, click here.
Virginia General Election Results for Roanoke City Council race on Nov. 3, 2020
On Nov. 3, Roanoke will elect three new city councilmembers. The eight candidates are Robert Jeffrey Jr. (D), Peter Volosin (D), Trish White-Boyd (D), Maynard Keller (R), Peg McGuire (R), Cesar Alberto (L), Kiesha Preston (I) and Stephanie Moon (I). The only incumbent among the group is White-Boyd. Use the picker below: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
Roanoke City Council candidate tests positive for COVID-19
ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke City Council candidate tested positive for coronavirus a few weeks prior to the election. Robert Jeffrey Jr. announced his diagnosis Thursday and said he has been quarantining and resting at home with his wife who also tested positive for COVID-19. “Our campaign took the matter seriously by putting the safety, health and wellness of the community and our team at the forefront of our plan,” said Jefferey in his statement. “Despite being overly precautious, we were still impacted.”He said that contracting the virus gives him firsthand knowledge of what Roanoke citizens are going through, making him more committed to creating awareness around the pandemic in the Star City. “With over 20 days left in this campaign, I’m committed to finish this historic election with enthusiasm and fervor,” said Jeffrey.