Rotary Club Members speak about 2024 Rock Haven Music Benefit
The Rotary Club of the Blue Ridge-New Generations will be holding their 2nd annul Rock Haven music festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Loch Haven Lake. Proceeds from the music festival will go to Brain Injury Services of Southwest Virginia and Head Strong Brain Injury Support Group of SW VA.
Rotary Club Members of Roanoke talk about Rock Haven Music Benefit
The Rotary Club of the Blue Ridge-New Generations will be holding their first annual Rock Haven music festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Loch Haven Lake. Proceeds from the music festival will go to Brain Injury Services of Southwest Virginia and Head Strong Brain Injury Support Group of SW VA.
Blue Ridge Bites: Focaccia Bread Sandwich Loaf
Looking for a dinner recipe thatโs good enough for company but doesnโt break the bank? Mary Rappaport with the Virginia Egg council has the perfect sandwich. Invite a few friends over to watch a movie or the ball game and casually whisk this sandwich up during the commercials.
Suicide Awareness Month: Local groups to host events, provide resources for awareness
The Suicide Prevention Council of Roanoke Valley and Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare are joining forces to focus on suicide prevention, warning signs, and reduction of the stigma associated with suicide in the Roanoke Valley, according to a joint press release.
Pick Of The Litter: Roxie
Every Friday on Daytime Blue Ridge, we introduce you to a new furry friend looking for a home. This week, we are introducing you to Roxie! Roxie has gone through a lot during her short amount of time at Roanoke Valley SPCA. If you are looking for a companion that will give you endless attention in a quiet home she is your pup!
Hotel Roanoke spends nearly $500K to create hybrid conferencing capability
The Hotel Roanoke has added a half-million dollars worth of upgrades to create sophisticated video conferencing to allow attendees both in-person and on-line. The move will make it easier for groups to meet, even once the pandemic is over.
Ice breaker games you can play at your bachelorette party
Today is the last day of Daytime Blue Ridgeโs wedding week! Join Bridget and Megan as they talk about different ice-breaker games you and your bridesmaids can play at your bachelorette party, the different options for the Mother of the Bride when walking down the aisle and the different ways to entertain children at a wedding.
Hereโs how items you already have in your purse can keep you safe
Bridget heads over to Pure Barre, where Brian Cuthbert from Blue Ridge C.O.B.R.A Self Defense shows her a few techniques every woman should know with items you can find in your purse. For information on tonightโs self-defense class, click here.
Whatโs News Today: School changes, education discussions
Today will be a remote learning day for Bedford County Public Schools. To make up for time missed due to vaccines, the Instructional Collaboration Day on April 28th will now be a regular school day. The Steering Committee for the Future of Education Task Force in Lynchburg will meet today. The task force was formed to help drive the long-term success of city schools. AdThe Roanoke Valley Resource Authority will meet today to discuss the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Colonial Elementary School dismisses last class in old building
BLUE RIDGE, Va. โ Itโs the end of an era for Botetourt County students. Colonial Elementary School in Blue Ridge rang the final bell at its old building Friday afternoon. Students will move further down Route 460 to a brand-new building when they return from remote learning in two weeks. Principal Tammy Riggs says she has pushed for a new school complex for a decade because the old Colonial building is too small for the growing student population. The elementary school has been in the same building since 1939, and Riggs said it is emotional to leave it behind.
YMCA, Macadoโs give out thousands of free meals for Giving Tuesday
ROANOKE, Va. โ Thousands of people were able to get free meals in Roanoke on Giving Tuesday thanks to a local partnership. Macadoโs and the YMCA of Virginiaโs Blue Ridge teamed up to hand out 3,000 free, boxed meals. The distribution was done drive-thru style with the help of volunteers and law enforcement to meet COVID-19 guidelines. โWe are a true community and really, weโre a true family and families help each other. The first 1,000 cars also received a goody bag to help with holiday meals.
Lynchburg organization helping struggling families by providing fresh produce for Thanksgiving
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ Park View Community Mission is giving away nearly 200 boxes of produce donated by the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Volunteers were outside Lynchburgโs middle and high schools Friday, and theyโll be out again on Monday. Earl Larkins, a Park View spokesperson, says theyโre doing their best to assist families during the coronavirus pandemic. โWe have had close to 800 families that have come to Park View Community Mission since the pandemic began โ that have never come to a pantry before. You can pick up produce at any of Lynchburgโs middle or high schools Monday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Virginia Tourism Corporation awards $80,000 in grants to SW Virginia municipalities
ROANOKE, Va. โ Tourism boards in Southwest Virginia received a financial boost to help attract visitors through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Tourism Corporation awarded a total of $80,000 to five tourism boards. The awards included:$20,000 for Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge$20,000 for Botetourt County$20,000 for the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce$10,000 to the Town of Rocky Mount$10,000 to the City of SalemVisit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge President Landon Howard said his organizationโs $20,000 will be spent mostly on online marketing. He believes regional travelers will look to the Roanoke Valley for a getaway. โThose people may not be traveling to Europe for a two or three week vacation, but they will do weekend trips to places like Virginiaโs Blue Ridge.โ
Blue Ridge Fudge Lady continues her Veterans Day giveaway tradition
PULASKI, Va. โ A Pulaski County confectionary delivered free sweet treats to servicemembers on Veterans Day. Robin Burdetteโs business, Blue Ridge Fudge Lady, handed out fudge to more than 75 veterans this year. Iโm grateful.โBurdette received help from dozens of volunteer delivery people in Pulaski County, including Sheriff Mike Worrell and Commonwealthโs Attorney Justin Griffith. โHaving the opportunity to go out, talk to our veterans, and show our appreciation, itโs just an awesome experience," said Worrell. โPeople here are actually taking that next step to actually show veterans support and do something to help them," Griffith said.
Roanoke named 2020 winner of the Large Top Adventure Town in the Blue Ridge
ROANOKE, Va. โ The Star City has over 1,000 miles of trails and greenways in the area for folks to enjoy and one magazine recognized what the Roanoke outdoors has to offer. Roanoke is this yearโs winner of the Large Top Adventure Town contest by โBlue Ridge Outdoors Magazine." The city defeated both Chattanooga, Tennesse and Asheville, North Carolina in the finals. "Roanoke in Virginiaโs Blue Ridge is the perfect location to be a Trailsetter and find all kinds of unique outdoor adventures, said Landon Howard, president of Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge. โWeโre thrilled to be named a Top Adventure Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and appreciate everyone who cast their vote in support of Roanoke!โThis 2020 win marks back-to-back Top Adventure Town titles for Roanoke and itโs the fifth Top Town title in the past nine years.
New water tower goes up along US-220 in Franklin County
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. โ If youโre driving down US-220 in Franklin County, youโll notice a new greeting. Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge has partnered with the county on the new water tank, which is in between Rocky Mount and Boones Mill. Residents and local businesses will benefit from the extra water supply, water pressure and additional fire protection. Officials say the tank holds 500,000 gallons of water and is made to match the color of the surrounding landscape.
Staff member tests positive for COVID-19 at Colonial Elementary School
BLUE RIDGE, Va. โ One staff member tested positive for coronavirus at Colonial Elementary School. Botetourt County Public Schools announced on Sunday that the elementary school will remain open during this time since the staff member wasnโt on school ground this past week. They said they have been working with the health department to identify staff members who may have come in contact with the confirmed case while on school premises. Officials said no students were deemed as close contacts or had any potential exposure to the staff member. They said they have been working with the health department to identify staff members who may have come in contact with the confirmed case while on school premises.
โThis is like coming homeโ: Celebrity chef joins team at The Black Hen in Blacksburg
BLACKSBURG, VA. โ The celebrity chef with a special place in her heart for Virginiaโs Blue Ridge is taking on a new role. Chef Torrence โTโ Gregoire of โHellโs Kitchenโ fame is the new chef at a staple restaurant in Blacksburg. The Black Hen and Bar Blue is known for fine food and decadent flavors, and now thereโs a new face in the kitchen. Black Hen owner Jon Coburn who also owns Bull N' Bones, had to have her. And to be able to do it in a place like Blacksburg, Virginia, in a college town, I mean itโs unbelievable," Gregoire said.
Roanokeโs delayed Ironman triathlon opens registration for 2021
ROANOKE, Va. โ With the Ironman 70.3 Virginiaโs Blue Ridge triathlon delayed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced a new date and whatโs coming up for this event. The inaugural triathlon, set for June 6, 2021, will include a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. Registration re-opened Wednesday, and with so many people from this year still planning to participate next year, spots are limited. โYou need to be in shape to do it all," admitted Catherine Fox, vp of public affairs for Virginiaโs Blue Ridge. โOr you can be part of a relay, thatโs the other part.
Layman Family Farms festival officially open for the season
BLUE RIDGE, Va. โ Fall is upon us and if you want to get lost in a corn maze or pick out a perfect pumpkin, a Bedford County tradition is once again giving you that chance. Layman Family Farms' Fall Festival reopened to the public Saturday morning. Farm owner Eric Layman said more than 300 people came to the farm in the festivalโs first hour, which he believes is a record. [Layman Family Farms prepare to kick-off annual fall festival]The farm made some changes due to COVID-19, and the most notable switch is only allowing 1,000 visitors in at a time. However, Layman said heโs grateful the festival could happen at all.
Layman Family Farms prepare to kick-off annual fall festival
BLUE RIDGE, Va โ Itโs been a year like no other for the Layman Family as they prepare for their farmโs annual fall festival. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Layman Family Farmsโ Owner Eric Layman wasnโt always sure it was going to be able to happen, but it is set to begin Saturday thanks to the help of some minor modifications. Itโs going to actually feel like fall,โ said Layman. Some activities just canโt happen because of COVID-19 restrictions, but all the classic favorites will still be in full swing. Layman said he and his family are just happy to welcome people back to celebrate fall.
WSLS 10 holding a free, socially-distant, drive-thru trick-or-treating event
BLUE RIDGE, Va. โ Looking to celebrate Halloween but still keep everyone safe? On Friday, October 30, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Layman Family Farms, WSLS 10 is holding a free drive-thru trick-or-treating event. During the drive, youโll stop at 20 different candy stations, where weโll be giving out 120,000 individually wrapped pieces of candy. To keep everyone safe, our volunteers will be wearing masks and dropping candy directly into your Halloween bag, avoiding any physical contact. As a WSLS 10 trick-or-treater, youโll also be able to receive a discounted ticket to the separate Fall Festival at Layman Family Farms during the same weekend!
Local tourism efforts to get a boost with new marketing grant
ROANOKE, Va. โ Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge has just been awarded a $10,000 tourism recovery grant. The organization will use that money to enhance branding efforts, marketing the region as a hub to experience metro-mountain adventure, especially to cities within driving distance. โWeโre really working hard to find that balance of inviting people to the region as well as making sure that are residents are safe as well, but itโs all about really helping the businesses sustain and recover from this pandemic,โ said Catherine Fox, vice president of public affairs and destination development for Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge. The Virginia Tourism Corporation has awarded more than $866,000 in marketing grant funds to 90 organizations across the commonwealth.
YMCA hosts virtual job fair to help fill childcare gap this fall
ROANOKE, Va. โ The YMCA of Virginiaโs Blue Ridge is trying to help fill the child care cap this fall, but they need more staff to do it. On Tuesday, August 4, Thursday, August 6 and Saturday, August 8 there will be a virtual job fair to meet the demand. YMCA of Virginiaโs Blue Ridge plans to hire for positions within all its regions; Roanoke, Salem, Daleville and Lexington. Since March, the YMCA has supported working families with childcare and they donโt plan to end it in the fall. The job fair is to hire for their usual after-school programs but the greatest need is childcare on virtual school days to help with kids of teachers and other working families.
Visit Viriginiaโs Blue Ridge invites businesses to take safety pledge
ROANOKE, Va. โ As travel season gets underway and families hit the road, Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge wants everyone here at home and those visiting to know theyโre safe in the Roanoke Valley. That's why VBR is asking businesses to take the "Stay Safe Pledge." The pledge asks businesses to promise to follow recommended guidelines from the CDC and public health officials and post the pledge on their storefront. VBR says that helps create an environment of safety while getting more people back in local businesses. The Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge visitorโs center will open back-up starting Friday to help people navigate their stay.
Tourism slowly rebounding in Virginiaโs Blue Ridge
ROANOKE, Va. โ Tourism in Virginiaโs Blue Ridge is starting to rebound now that the state has begun to reopen. Landon Howard, President of Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge, said Thursday a lot of families from Virginia and North Carolina are asking for information about outdoor activities. Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridgeโs visitors center in Roanoke will reopen June 12. According to data provided by Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge, tourism industry revenue was down an average of 70% over the last three months compared to last year. Heโs also still hopeful there will be a strong rebound in tourism in 2021.
Near record-breaking cold this week
A strong cold front passed through the region Tuesday and some locations across the southern Blue Ridge saw their first accumulating snowfall. Temperatures fell throughout the day thanks to a strong and gusty northwest wind. The wind will decrease on Tuesday evening, but it will be downright cold overnight. Record low temperatures may be in jeopardy as lows fall into the teens and low 20s. Tonight (WSLS)If you factor in the wind, itll be feeling more like the single digits by Wednesday morning.