Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will Roanoke fix Berglund Center with a casino or city dollars?

Spotted on the Roanoke calendar: Grandparents' Day at the Museum of Transportation

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Coffee in hand, Roanoke? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will Roanoke fix Berglund Center with a casino or city dollars?
  • How Roanoke is tackling delayed bulk and brush pickups now
  • Roanoke College bets big on women's flag football by 2028

Also on today's calendar: Grandparents' Day at the Museum of Transportation and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Couple of thunderstorms, with a high of 78 and low of 67 degrees.
  • Saturday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 82, low: 66.
  • Sunday: A shower in the afternoon, with a high of 82 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Berglund Center at 'critical point' with $30 million in repairs needed, as casino talks continue (wsls.com) — Roanoke's Berglund Center needs more than $30 million in repairs, forcing city leaders to weigh costly fixes against a proposed entertainment district that could include a casino. Officials say critical systems like boilers, roofing, and fire alarms must be replaced soon, while residents will ultimately decide on any casino plan through a future referendum if state lawmakers give approval.
   

2. Roanoke City Works to address bulk and brush pickup delays (wsls.com) — Roanoke residents are being asked to keep bulk items and brush at the curb as the city struggles with pickup delays caused by a CDL driver shortage. Trash and recycling are being prioritized on weekdays, while crews work overtime weekends to clear backlogs. Those with urgent needs can make up to 12 free trips to the Tinker Creek Transfer Station on Hollins Road.
   

3. Roanoke College adds women's varsity flag football (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke College is launching a women's varsity flag football team, aiming for its first season in spring 2028 and hiring a head coach soon. Athletic leaders say the new sport expands opportunities for women and challenges stereotypes, with plans to recruit at least 12 student-athletes by fall 2027. The program will join a growing number of ODAC schools adding women's flag football.
   

4. Notable Changes in this Week's Drought Update (wsls.com) — Roanoke readers are seeing gradual relief from Virginia's summer drought, with statewide conditions improving after mid-August rains and some areas no longer classified as drought-stricken. Central and southern communities like Danville and Lynchburg still face severe to extreme dryness, and officials warn that groundwater levels across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic will take longer to rebound despite a wetter pattern expected through late August.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I'm really quite happy with the The Market on Melrose since it was established.
    Sometimes the prices aren't great, but they also often have good deals rotating around, and it has been such a helpful addition to a neighborhood… (Nextdoor Shenandoah West)
  • I have an almost 21 year old daughter who is looking for a job.
    She's 6 mos pregnant and can't do anything strenuous. Any ideas or know of someone who would hire her? (Nextdoor Riverland-Piedmont)
  • Optical Cable Corporation posted a job opening for Machine Operator - Cabler Weekend Shift in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • McAlister's Deli posted a job opening for Back of House 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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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