Daily
Roanoke
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Washington Park advocates are pushing to restore a long-neglected cottage that has suffered decades of decay and are seeking local support (the building is in a sad state). Roanoke.com
- ➤ Reverend Jesse Jackson passed away, leaving a legacy that touched the community through his frequent visits and support for civil rights causes. Locals recall his powerful messages for unity and equality that resonated during his engagements. WDBJ7
- ➤ Angels of Assisi will bring special pet deals to the Greater Roanoke Home and Garden Show from Feb. 20—22 in Roanoke. Prices start at $20 for adult pets, with kittens at $75 and puppies at $150. WDBJ7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Angus McDonald (a veteran of colonial wars and merchant in Winchester) declined George Washington’s commission in 1777, saying he had other business. His choices in Dunmore’s War and church debates mark him as a unique figure in Virginia’s early patriot history. Cardinal News
- ➤ Roanoke College French Club will host a Mardi Gras celebration featuring king cake, beignets and New Orleans-themed jazz music (a nod to French culture) that offers college students a relaxed and unique cultural experience ahead of Ash Wednesday. WSLS 10
- ➤ Historic preservationists (including advocate Alison Blanton) are challenging demolition plans amid a trend that has already claimed an early 1800s farmhouse at North Cross while officials approved demolition of the Roanoke College-owned house in Salem, which now has a 16-day pause for proposals (citing cost challenges). The Roanoke Rambler
- ➤ Roanoke Valley Sister Cities & Local Colors will host the 15th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration at the Taubman Museum, honoring nearly 4,000 years of tradition and uniting the community in Star City. WFIR News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Teachers from James Madison Middle School expressed concerns Tuesday about proposed Roanoke Public Schools budget cuts affecting after-school transportation and extracurricular programs—cuts that teachers fear will increase class sizes and impact vulnerable students. The school board will vote on a preliminary budget March 10. WDBJ7
- ➤ Governor Spanberger said nearly half of Virginia’s college graduates leave within five years, with non-STEM fields showing the steepest drop while retention in biomedical and computer science improves. Economic concerns over job and housing availability drive efforts to keep local talent in the state. Cardinal News
- ➤ Middle and high school students attend Jefferson Center’s Music Lab to learn music production today. The twice-weekly workshop features local recording artist Stimulator Jones — a seasoned mentor — as he guides them through sound mixing and songwriting. WVTF
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Snow and ice melt is causing potholes that can lead to costly vehicle repairs in Roanoke. Drivers are urged to report issues via the city’s Paving Program and slow down instead of swerving (to avoid further damage). WSLS 10
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The American Lung Association launched a website, Saved by the Scan, to help people check if they need a lung cancer screening. Dr. McKee said early detection can boost survival rates & urged at-risk individuals to talk with their doctors. WSLS 10
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke thrift stores are drawing shoppers with quality vintage clothing. Stores like Golden Shoestring + Rodeo Thrift offer pieces from Y2K to '90s styles and share expert tips on trends, fueling local interest in unique, wearable fashion. The Roanoke Rambler
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS® showed home sales hit 308 in January with an average closing price of $354,438 + December brought 229 more sales and higher prices, marking a slower pace than the monthly average in 2025. WDBJ7
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Rend Collective Concert
7 PM - 1 AM — Jefferson Center — Cost Info Not Provided — Experience an energetic performance from an eclectic collective of multi-instrumentalists from Northern Ireland.
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Perpetual Groove Concert
7-10 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Tickets required — Experience an electrifying blend of rock, indie electronica, and metal from PGroove with an impressive light show.
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Toubab Krewe Live Performance
8-10 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticket prices vary — Experience unique music that transcends conventional genres and resonates deeply with the spirit of community.
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Public Ice Bumper Cars
12:30-6:30 p.m. — Berglund Center — $11 + fees — Experience the thrill of bumper cars on ice for children aged 2 and up.
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Riverdance 30 - New Generation
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Berglund Center — Tickets required — Celebrate 30 years of Irish dance magic with innovative performances and a new generation of dancers.
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Tuba Skinny Performance
9 PM – 1 AM — Jefferson Center — Cost info not provided — Experience the vibrant sounds of traditional New Orleans music with Tuba Skinny.
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The Shark is Broken
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Showtimers Community Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Dive into a comedic perspective of the behind-the-scenes antics during the filming of Jaws.
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Shadowgrass Concert
8-10 PM — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of captivating instrumental music from the rising band Shadowgrass.
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Steven Curtis Chapman Concert
7-10 p.m. — Parkway Church On The Mountain — Tickets from $50 — Experience a night of uplifting music with Steven Curtis Chapman in Roanoke.
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Spafford Live Performance
8-10 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Tickets Required — Experience astonishing improvisational jams from Spafford as they create a unique musical atmosphere.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.
~ Mark Caine
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