Daily
Roanoke
Monday, March 31st, 2025
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Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 31st of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Rawleigh Quarles retired from Staunton Avenue Church of God after 30 years of service and a history as Roanoke City Fire Department's first Black Fire Chief—he delivered his final sermon titled 'Divinely Called and Commissioned: To Proclaim/Preach the Word of God' drawing from the Book of Ezekiel—and he plans to assist in ministry if called in the future. WSLS 10
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ City leaders — Mayor Joe Cobb, City Manager Valmarie Turner and Police Chief Scott Booth — released a statement on Sunday after Anton Brown was arrested on March 18 for Obstruction/Resisting without Force, saying that transparency and community trust remain essential — as body cam footage was shared amid social media controversy. WSLS 10
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Dr. Forest Jones, a local author from Salem, will release his new book Good Trouble: The Selma, Alabama and Derry, Northern Ireland Connection 1963-1972 on Tuesday, April 1. He will host events at Barnes & Noble in Roanoke’s Valley View Mall on Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. and a Q&A at the Salem Public Library on Monday, April 7 at 6 p.m. WSLS 10
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Sue H. Bell, the great-great granddaughter of Confederate General Gabriel Wharton, donated 1,233 Civil War-era letters and documents to Virginia Tech last Saturday during Civil War Weekend 2025—items that will be catalogued and digitized for student and researcher use. Roanoke.com
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A new pedestrian bridge carrying the Appalachian Trail over Route 311 opened on March 27th at the McAfee Knob trailhead to improve hiker safety while the parking area also reopened. VDOT contracted Stonewall Bridge Inc.—which built the 90-foot long bridge for $1.5 million and added a ramp for handicapped access—to complete the project that blends with the natural setting. The Roanoke Star
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Denny Hamlin ended a 10-year winless streak at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday—he beat teammate Christopher Bell and earned a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver notched his 55th win and his first victory on the 0.526-mile oval since March 29, 2015. WSLS 10
TRAVEL NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR Compression packing cubes are a travel game-changer — fit twice as much, stay organized, and avoid suitcase chaos. Perfect for any trip, they keep clothes tidy, save space, and make packing and unpacking a breeze. The Buy
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Tribute to John Prine by Tree of Forgiveness Band
6:30-11:00 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticketed event — Celebrate the legendary songs of John Prine performed by an all-star lineup of North Carolina musicians.
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Carmina Burana: O Fortuna
8 p.m. — Berglund Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the powerful choral music of Carmina Burana under the direction of renowned conductor David Stewart Wiley.
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Joanne Shaw Taylor Live
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Jefferson Center — $6 box office fee — Experience an electrifying night of pop, soul, and blues-rock with Joanne Shaw Taylor and her stellar band.
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Reflections on Water: Art, Music & Science Evening
7-9 p.m. — Taubman Museum of Art — Free entry — Dive into an interdisciplinary evening blending local art, music, and community reflections on water.
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Ripe Concert in Roanoke
6:30-11:00 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticket information available — Experience indie pop grooves and anthems for better days ahead with Ripe's live performance.
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Of Good Nature Concert in Roanoke
6:30-11 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Check venue for cost — Experience vibrant tunes and heartfelt grooves from Of Good Nature and opener Cam Clark.
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Views and Brews E-Bike Tour
2-5 p.m. — Roanoke Mountain Adventures — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a scenic 11-mile e-bike tour through Roanoke’s beautiful Blue Ridge vistas and local brews.
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The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs Performance
Apr 14-15 — Jefferson Center — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the 25th anniversary of '69 Love Songs' with a full performance by The Magnetic Fields over two nights.
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The Magnetic Fields Live Concert
3:30-4:30 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Ticket pricing available — Celebrate the 25th anniversary of 69 Love Songs with an unforgettable live performance.
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SunSquabi Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — $40 — Experience an electrifying evening with SunSquabi in Roanoke's intimate venue.
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Roanoke.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
When you can't win by being better, you can win by being different.
~ James Clear
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