The Roanoke Rambler (Page 3)

New School Board Members for Roanoke City

City Council’s quiet move to appoint a retired healthcare finance chief and a real estate strategist to Roanoke’s School Board could reshape how more than a hundred million dollars in education gets spent, and revive the debate over who truly has a say in the future of the

Social Issues

A Missed Crosswalk. A Fast Car. A Death. This Is What Traffic Violence Looks Like in Roanoke.

Gary Wayne St. Clair, 63, crossed Campbell Avenue on a Thursday night in May. The driver stayed. The road stayed. Nine days later, only St. Clair was gone. Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 7:30 AM EST June 3, 2026 Edited: 7:30 AM EST June 3, 2026

Happenings

Happenings: The Roanoke Events Calendar

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 The Big Run * Time: All day. * Where: City of Roanoke (Parks & Recreation–coordinated routes; see city special events calendar for details). Renewal Studios Launch Benefit & Birthday Soirée * Time: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. * Where: The BiblioPub, Downtown Roanoke. Tom Hamilton at

Education

Roanoke County Quietly Approves $11M Hollins Library Overhaul, A Small Vote with Big Stakes for Thousands

For many in Hollins, the library isn’t just a building—it’s where homework gets done, job searches begin, and life steadies; now, a long-delayed renovation could redefine what that space makes possible. Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 7:10 AM EST June 3, 2026 Edited:

Ramblings

The Roanoke Rambler: Inside the Roanoke Newsroom Redefining What Local Journalism Can Be

A powerhouse team blending global credentials and deep hometown roots to report Roanoke with more depth, rigor, and heart. Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 2:05 AM EST May 27, 2026 Edited: 9:20 AM EST June 3, 2026 In an era when trust in media is fractured

Government and Politics

How Virginia’s Immigration Fight Is Playing Out in Roanoke’s Courts, Jails, and Living Rooms

Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 1:57 AM EST May 27, 2026 Edited: 1:57 AM EST May 27, 2026 The fights over immigration policy in Virginia usually start far from Roanoke, in Richmond hearing rooms or on cable news from Washington. Governors sign executive orders, members of

Happenings

Happenings: What’s On in the Roanoke Valley This Week

Happenings: Week of May 27 – June 2, 2026 - Roanoke Valley, VA We scoured a stack of community calendars so you didn’t have to. From live music to festivals, ballgames to bike rides, here’s what’s actually on tap in the Roanoke Valley this week. We encourage folks to

Social Issues

Childcare at Work: How Virginia’s New Law Could Quietly Boost the Roanoke Region’s Economy

When Governor Abigail Spanberger signs Virginia’s new employer-backed childcare law on May 27, it won’t look like a jobs announcement, but for parents and businesses across the Roanoke Valley, it could be the policy shift that finally changes who can work, how much they earn, and whether

Transportation

New cameras on I-81 will soon ticket speeders

History

As America Turns 250, Roanoke Valley Reflects on Its Revolutionary Roots

Frontier settlers in Southwest Virginia joined the call for independence months before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 2:01 AM EST May 20, 2026 Edited: 2:02 AM EST May 20, 2026 ROANOKE, VA. — As Virginia and the nation prepare to mark

Homelessness

A Roanoke Ministry says it’s Helping the Unhoused. Business Owners say Downtown is Paying the Price

After Roanoke upheld zoning violations against The Least of These Ministry, supporters, business owners and unhoused residents offered sharply different visions for what downtown should become. Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 2:05 AM EST May 20, 2026 Edited: 2:07 AM EST May 20, 2026 Tears, frustration,

Happenings

Roanoke Rambler Events Calendar

Week of May 19 to May 27, 2026 We scanned city, downtown and regional calendars so you don’t have to. Here’s what’s happening in and around Roanoke this week. As always, we recommend checking with the venue for last-minute changes or cancellations. Tuesday, May 19 * The

Government and Politics

Former Mayor Bowers and Councilmember Moon-Reynolds Go Independent and Plan to Run for City Council

Breaking News: David Bowers and Councilmember Stephanie Moon both informed the Roanoke Rambler that they plan to run as independents in Roanoke’s hotly contested city council race, a move that instantly reshapes the field and turns what had been a largely partisan contest into a test of name recognition,

Racial justice

A Man Born With a Job: Stan Hale and the 87-Year Heartbeat of The Roanoke Tribune

Travel

Paying Too Much for Gas? 5 Simple Fixes Most Drivers Overlook

Education

After‑School Rides and PLATO Program at Risk

Facing a $14–$16.5 million shortfall, Roanoke City Public Schools may cut after‑school buses, scale back its long‑running gifted program The board also discussed the possibility of phasing out the PLATO (Pupils Learning Appropriately Together) and defer maintenance, changes that would remove daily transportation for about 173

Happenings

Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 5/13 to 5/20.

We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to. From live music to theatre, to lectures, we’ve got you covered. We encourage folks to contact the venue directly to learn of any last-minute changes or cancellations. 💡Want to know about regular weekly events,

Government and Politics