Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Roanoke deputies warn: don’t send money to these jail-release scammers
Coming up: Hill City Howlers at Salem RidgeYaks on the Roanoke Patch calendar
Morning Roanoke! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Roanoke PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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In today's newsletter:
- Roanoke deputies warn: don't send money to these jail-release scammers
- How you can help Roanoke's St. Francis House restock its shelves
- Why a denied council prayer sparked a multimillion-dollar Roanoke lawsuit.
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the 1 way to guarantee winning a small fortune at the casino? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Tuesday: Sunshine and hot, with a high of 95 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and hot, temps: high: 97, low: 72.
- Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 97 and low of 72 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Roanoke scam targets people whose family members have been arrested (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke City residents are being warned about scammers posing as deputy sheriffs who call families of recently arrested people and demand money for a supposed bond or release. The Sheriff's Office stresses it will never request payment over the phone and urges anyone receiving such a call to hang up, independently verify with law enforcement, and remember: stop, verify, don't send money. 
2. 'The need really is there': Roanoke rallies around struggling food pantry (wsls.com) — St. Francis House Food Pantry in Roanoke City is scrambling to replace thousands of pounds of USDA food it no longer receives, and local groups are stepping up with donation drives. Residents are being asked to drop off shelf-stable items like peanut butter, canned meats, and fruits at the Campbell Avenue pantry during weekday mornings, or support Feeding Southwest Virginia's nearby Salem facility.
3. After awkward council moment, a lawsuit challenges Roanoke's prayer policy (wvtf.org) — A Roanoke resident is suing the city and its vice mayor in federal court, claiming his religious rights were violated when he wasn't allowed to deliver a Satanic Temple prayer at a recent council meeting. The confrontation unfolded after the scheduled pastor didn't appear, leading to a tense exchange, Cotes reading his prayer over the Pledge, removal by police, and a multimillion-dollar lawsuit.
4. Roanoke nonprofit seeks sponsors for 6th annual Dining With Dignity event (wfirnews.com) — A Roanoke ministry is gearing up for its sixth annual Dining with Dignity event on Oct. 10 at Elmwood Park, offering an elegant outdoor meal for unsheltered neighbors. The Least of These Ministries, which also runs daily services and housing initiatives in Roanoke, is urgently seeking sponsors and volunteer waitstaff teams to help fund and staff the evening.
5. William Varnier Named WDBJ General Manager (tvnewscheck.com) — Roanoke's CBS affiliate WDBJ will soon have a new leader, as Gray Media appoints veteran broadcaster William Varnier general manager effective October 5, 2026. Varnier, raised in Central Virginia and experienced at several CBS and ABC stations, comes from award-winning work at Kansas City's KCTV to oversee WDBJ's operations here.
📸 Around Roanoke
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Hill City Howlers at Salem RidgeYaks →
Salem Stadium, 1008 Texas St, Salem
2:05 pm
Sunday September 6
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Audit Committee Meeting →
Roanoke City Council Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building - 215 Church Ave. SW Roanoke VA
4:00 pm - 2026 ConnectHER Conference Presented By: Branch
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce 210 S Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA 24011
8:00 am - City Planning Commission: Work Session →
Roanoke, VA Calendar, 215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke
12:00 pm - First Fridays at Five →
Roanoke City Special Events Franklin Road between Williamson and Jefferson - Roanoke
5:00 pm - Roanoke Labor Day Parade →
Roanoke City Special Events Campbell Avenue SW between 3rd
12:00 pm - Remember The Times 90s and 2000s Party in the Park
Roanoke City Special Events Elmwood Park - 706 S Jefferson St. Roanoke VA 24011
4:00 pm - Music on the Mountain
Roanoke City Special Events Mill Mountain Discovery Center - Roanoke VA 24011
5:00 pm - Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
Belk, 4308 Electric Rd, Roanoke
10:00 am - Night Owl on the Town 2026 →
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke, 5985 Coleman Rd, Roanoke
6:00 pm
Wednesday September 2
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
Sunday September 6
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
📣 Roanoke Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Senior Programs Intermediate Line Dancing →
Vinton, VA Calendar, 820 E. Washington Ave, Vinton
10:00 am - Senior Programs Beginner Line Dancing →
Vinton, VA Calendar, 820 E. Washington Ave, Vinton
11:30 am - Town Council Joint Work Session →
Vinton, VA Calendar, 311 S. Pollard Street, Vinton
4:00 pm - Planning Commission Public Hearing →
Roanoke County, VA Calendar, 5204 Bernard Drive SW First Floor, Roanoke
6:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Looking to help find diesel a forever home.
He came to me as an emergency placement and unfortunately his original owners won't be able to take him back due to personal reasons. He is a great… (Nextdoor Southeast Roanoke) - Dr Wilson keeps my anxious dog calm during visits.
She teaches me how to give physical therapy to my older pets with arthritis. Great facility! (Nextdoor Cave Spring)
- Red Coats. Inc. posted a job opening for Part Time Night Cleaner in Roanoke. Apply here.
- Spar Group posted a job opening for Multi State Reset Merchandiser 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: By starting with a large fortune. (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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