Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could Roanoke students now attend Roanoke College with free tuition?

And check out Heartland Marimba Quartet Concert on the Roanoke Patch calendar

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Saturday October 3rd Patch AM (Sara W.)

Hey hey Roanoke! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could Roanoke students now attend Roanoke College with free tuition?
  • How Roanoke-area crews handled mysterious military ordnance in Vinton
  • What Roanoke College's new women's flag coach means for local sports.

Also on today's calendar: Heartland Marimba Quartet Concert and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Sara W.!

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: A shower and t-storm; cooler, with a high of 66 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Sunday: Periods of rain, temps: high: 65, low: 58.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 76 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Roanoke College launches new scholarship amid push for college affordability (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke College is launching the Southwest Virginia Scholars Award, a guaranteed $5,000-per-year scholarship for eligible first-year students from across Southwest Virginia, including the Roanoke area, starting in fall 2027. Combined with other grants and aid, local students with the greatest financial need could see their tuition fully covered, significantly expanding affordable college options for Roanoke families.
   

2. U.S. Army removes suspected ordnance in Vinton (wfxrtv.com) — U.S. Army specialists safely removed old military ordnance discovered at Omnisource in Vinton on October 1, after Vinton Police closed nearby roads and treated the items as potentially live. Roanoke County and Roanoke City police, fire, and emergency teams all assisted, underscoring how closely regional agencies coordinate on serious safety threats affecting Roanoke-area residents.
   

3. Elizabeth Faust named inaugural Roanoke College women's flag football coach (wfxrtv.com) — Roanoke College in nearby Salem has hired Elizabeth Faust as its first women's flag football coach, with the varsity program set to launch in spring 2028. Drawing on a decade with USA Football and NFL FLAG, she'll build a new ODAC team just as women's flag football moves toward NCAA championship status and an Olympic debut.
   

4. State police trooper guilty of misdemeanor child abuse in Roanoke County home (roanoke.com) — A Virginia State Police trooper has been convicted of misdemeanor child abuse for an incident that occurred three years ago in his Roanoke County home, and he remains suspended. While details are limited, the case adds to ongoing public safety concerns in the Roanoke area that residents may want to follow as more information becomes available.
   

5. Thalhimer's Roanoke Office Partners with Roanoke Valley Speech & Hearing Center during Q3 (thalhimer.com) — Thalhimer's Roanoke office has chosen Roanoke Valley Speech & Hearing Center as its latest Thalhimer Gives partner, raising $1,155 to support local speech and audiology services. The nonprofit, serving children and adults since 1959, benefits from employee donations matched dollar-for-dollar, reflecting an ongoing corporate push to strengthen health and communication resources across the Roanoke Valley.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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📸 Boating on SML —Sara W. Like

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: he is home safe now ❤️
    This sweetheart was found roaming North Lakes neighborhood, specifically on North Garden Lane. He has a collar, but no name tag. We took him to the… (Nextdoor North Lakes)
  • I really enjoy this Co+op, especially because of its location right in Grandin Village.
    We often stop by after visiting the Saturday Farmers Market, and we recently discovered the seating area in front of the store, which even includes a… (Nextdoor Green Valley)
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Opening Team Members-Food Service/ Food Prep in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • Nexstar Media Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Part Time Production Assistant in Roanoke. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Roanoke here.

Ok Roanoke! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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