Good morning, Roanoke.

The Roanoke Parks Foundation and Black Diamond Designs broke ground on a trail network at Mill Mountain that will add at least four miles of trails for all users.

The project has raised over $350,000 and will open trails as they are finished with full construction expected by early July—future plans include a link to the Roanoke River Greenway.

Roanoke Fire and EMS determined that a fire at Noke Van Co in Southeast Roanoke was accidental due to an electrical component in a vehicle—flames spread quickly through the roof and caused over $4M in damage as responders used 2M gallons of water while officials worked with the company to speed its recovery.

Today at 11 a.m. Alleghany Highlands Public Schools will hold a press conference to update on Covington Middle School after students missed over a month of classes due to a carbon monoxide leak from a school stove—Virginia attorney John Fishwick announced a lawsuit on behalf of several parents alleging the school is a health hazard.

A heated school board meeting took place Thursday night as community members and the family of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman called for changes to Roanoke County’s bullying policy after her suicide.

Board leaders voted to keep the current policy and asked families to share their input through an online survey (one board member even walked out amid the protests).

Nine international students—3 undergrads, 4 graduates and 2 alumni—had their visas revoked at Virginia Tech and must leave the U.S. immediately, a move that President Tim Sands said is under investigation by the federal agencies; Virginia Tech will host an online immigration information session on April 18th as Sen. Tim Kaine plans to learn more about the situation.

At a community meeting held last Thursday at the Unitarian Universalist Church (Grandin Road) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., residents asked questions about Roanoke’s proposed 2026 budget, which totals over $403 million and features a 9.3% increase in property tax revenues along with salary adjustments for employees earning below $42,000. City officials will hold another meeting on April 17 at Pilgrim Baptist Church to address concerns including a proposed meals tax rise from 5.5% to 6.5% plus an extra 0.5%.

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Roanoke, and local support services like SARA Roanoke report receiving around 1,200 hotline calls each year from adults aged 18 to 40.

Director of Education and Outreach Bethny Barrett said the rise in calls shows more locals know about available help — including hospital and legal support—rather than a spike in assaults.

Roanoke leaders have begun construction on The Grove on Patterson, a new home for pregnant and parenting women seeking addiction treatment—designed to offer substance use, medical, and psychiatric care while allowing mothers to keep their children.

The facility, built with support from healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies, will open on April 14.

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.

Local Author Fair

The South County Library is hosting a local author fair—light refreshments provided! Come between 1-4 PM to meet the writers and discover what your neighbors are writing.

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.

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.

SunSquabi Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — $40 — Experience an electrifying evening with SunSquabi in Roanoke's intimate venue.

Ashes & Arrows Concert

7 PM – 1 AM — The Grandin Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience captivating vocals and thoughtful lyrics from this talented musical group.

Spafford Live at 5 Points Music Sanctuary

6:30-11:00 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Tickets required — Experience an evening of astonishing improvisational jams with one of the most creative bands on the contemporary jam scene.

Longshot Comic & Toy Show

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Salem Civic Center — $5.00 admission, kids free — Explore comics, toys, collectibles, and enjoy some cosplay fun.

Star City Circlesongs

3:30-5 p.m. — Historic Fishburn Mansion — Free entry — Experience a spontaneous community singing event that invites everyone to express their inner voice.

The Great Gatsby Ballet

7 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the glitz and glamour of the 1920s in this dazzling ballet adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic tale.

Amos Lee Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Cost info not provided — Experience emotionally raw music with a magical quality from Amos Lee.