Community Corner

šŸŒ± Patch AM: Why Roanoke leaders are pushing back on a secretive land deal

And check out Nrv Aarp/Toc Health Fair on the Roanoke Patch calendar

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Monday September 14th Patch AM
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What's up Roanoke! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Roanoke leaders are pushing back on a secretive land deal
  • Meet the anonymous Roanoke Raven quietly cleaning up your city
  • How Roanoke came together in the days after 9/11

Also on today's calendar: Nrv Aarp/Toc Health Fair and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the fish say when she hit a wall? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 85 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny; low humidity, temps: high: 79, low: 59.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 86 and low of 62 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. Regional Authority Approves Wood Haven Land Deal in Closed Session, Residents Demand Answers (theroanokestar.com) — A regional industrial authority has quietly approved a purchase agreement for land at Wood Haven Technology Park in Roanoke County, fueling concerns it could become an AI-focused data center despite strong local opposition. Roanoke's vice mayor and a city council member publicly challenged the board's secrecy and say they oppose any data center in the Roanoke Valley, urging more transparency and resident input before the deal is finalized.
   

2. A TikTok-famous masked superhero is roaming the streets of Roanoke, Virginia (knpr.org) — A masked do-gooder calling himself the Roanoke Raven has been quietly picking up litter, helping nonprofits, and spreading positivity around Roanoke while keeping his real identity secret. The local EMT behind the mask uses TikTok to rally neighbors toward charity work and everyday kindness, hoping others in Roanoke will eventually carry on his mission.
   

3. WDBJ7 Archive: Virginia reacts to September 11, 2001 attacks (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke residents are reminded how the community responded after 9/11, from a candlelight vigil at Victory Stadium to local blood drives and school fundraisers. The story revisits how Fairview Elementary students, Roanoke City firefighters, and WDBJ7 viewers rallied to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars and messages of support for victims' families in New York and northern Virginia.
   

4. Behavioral coach shares tips to beat 'Sunday Scaries' (wdbj7.com) — If your Sunday evenings in Roanoke are filled with dread about Monday, a behavioral coach says those "Sunday Scaries" are actually a learned habit your brain can unlearn. He suggests deliberately steering your thoughts toward positive goals and accepting, rather than fighting, anxious feelings as a way to retrain your mind for calmer weeks ahead.
   

5. Roanoke football defeats Greensboro in home opener, 28-14 (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke College's football team, now 2-0, opened its home slate nearby in Salem with a 28-14 win over Greensboro, powered by quarterback Linwood Johnson's four-touchdown performance and a stingy defense. The Maroons next hit the road September 26 to face Gallaudet after a bye week, giving Roanoke fans time to savor this strong start.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hey everybody, sending a smile y'all's way, I hope y'all have a good day.
    Remember to take things one day at a time, sometimes things may not turn out the way they should but keep on trying because eventually you will… (Nextdoor Villa Heights)
  • Update- no chip.
    Pup is safe and we are waiting to find their person Sweet pupper found on Berkley. Must have proof of ownership. Will bring to scan for a chip… (Nextdoor Greater Raleigh Court)
  • American Family Care posted a job opening for Medical Receptionist in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • KFC posted a job opening for Team Member 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: Dam! (Thank you George G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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