Daily
Roanoke
Monday, June 16th, 2025
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 16th of June.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Members of the Southwest Virginia Coalition for Palestine gathered at Market Square to protest the Gaza conflict — with one man noting his wife lost over 30 family members — to raise awareness of ongoing violence. Aid workers reported more violence near relief sites. WSLS 10
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On Sunday, rainy weather led dozens of locals to gather indoors at the Holiday Inn Roanoke Airport Conference Center for the first Blue Ridge Open Chess Tournament hosted by the Roanoke Valley Chess Club. The tournament used a Swiss structure with five rounds and a prize fund of $1,600—where first place wins $650, second wins $350, and third wins $150. WSLS 10
- ➤ Local floral designer Mark Frye—owner of Creative Occasions Flowers & Events—celebrates 30 years of work that includes decorating the White House and Hotel Roanoke. His studio will host a vendor appreciation party and Open House on June 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 111 E Lee Ave, and he will lead a bourbon cocktail and floral workshop on June 29 at Hotel Roanoke and another creative session on July 25 at Our Daily Bread in Vinton. WSLS 10
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ VA Tech researcher Courtney Leisner is studying how pepper plants react to extreme heat and a germ called Xanthomonas in a three-year study to help grow tougher crops — he is working with experts from the United Kingdom and Germany under a multinational grant. The Roanoke Star
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke City Council set the FY26 budget while extra revenue of over $16 million—mostly from delinquent real estate taxes and state Children Services Act funding—will offset the $6.7 million in overtime spending. A public hearing will be held today at 7 p.m. in council chambers at 215 Church Ave. S.W., where adjustments to the FY25 budget will be discussed. Cardinal News
- ➤ On June 15, hundreds gathered in Roanoke for a 'No Kings' protest—demonstrators voiced their views as local officials kept a close watch on the event. The protest comes amid ongoing debates over historical symbols of authority. WDBJ7
- ➤ On Saturday, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed SB 746 — a law that makes fentanyl dealers who sell drugs causing a death face involuntary manslaughter charges. State officials said the bill, sponsored by Senator Ryan McDougle, will help hold dealers accountable and reduce overdose deaths. The Roanoke Star
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Chayce Beckham Live Concert
6-7:30 p.m. — Dr. Pepper Park — Cost varies — Enjoy a vibrant concert from American Idol winner Chayce Beckham as part of the Northwest ACE Summer Concert Series.
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Rethink, Reuse, Repair Fair
10 a.m.–3 p.m. — Wasena Park — Free entry — Discover how to repair broken items and reduce waste at this engaging community fair.
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Kairos Youth Faith Event
Sunday evening - Friday noon — Roanoke College — $350 — A week-long faith-sharing event designed for youth to engage in community, worship, and personal grace.
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Artistic Encounters: Meet the Artist
4-7 p.m. — Blue Ridge PBS — Fundraiser event — Enjoy art, live music, and support local PBS initiatives while exploring new creativity.
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Ledbetters & Superunknown
6-7:30 p.m. — Dr. Pepper Park — Ticketed event — Enjoy tributes to Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell by The Ledbetters and Superunknown.
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WDBJ7's Star City Slide
10 AM – 10 PM on June 28 & 12 PM – 8 PM on June 29 — 2nd Street Bridge in Downtown Roanoke — $35 for adults, $10 for children 4-12 — Experience a thrilling ride down the slide with stunning city views.
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Freedom Festival & Fireworks
4-9:30 p.m. — River's Edge Park — Free entry — Enjoy live music, food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate freedom.
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Virginia Electric Live Concert
10 p.m. — Martin's Downtown — No Refunds — Enjoy two sets of electrifying music at one of Roanoke's top venues.
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Annual Floatilla to Starr Hill
1-6 p.m. — Roanoke Mountain Adventures — Bring your own float — Float down the Roanoke River to Starr Hill Brewery with friends and family.
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Them Dirty Roses Concert
5-7:30 p.m. — Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges — Ticketed event — Enjoy southern rock vibes from Bama's own Them Dirty Roses.
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
Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us.
~ Roy Adzak
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