Daily
Roanoke
Friday, August 15th, 2025
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 15th of August.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Sheetz opened its new store today in southwest Roanoke County on Franklin Road/US 220 next to Lowe's—where the ribbon cutting featured free Fountain soft drinks and donations to local groups—and the chain will soon mark its 800th location. WFIR News
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Virginia State Police debunked a viral social media rumor about a mass kidnapper by noting that missing child cases are regular runaways—this week’s report of 88 cases matched the usual average and nearly all kids are found safe. WDBJ7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke County students returned to class on August 14 as teachers welcomed them back after summer break — marking the start of a new school year. ABC 13
- ➤ Botetourt County Public Schools reinstated random drug testing for students in grades 6 to 12 and those with parking passes as schools opened this week, spending $65,000 on the policy to reduce teen substance use amid rising cannabis reports. Testing will occur twice each season by an outside company to check for cannabis, barbiturates, opioids, alcohol and nicotine—students who test positive will face suspensions and must go through an appeal process. WSLS 10
- ➤ Salem City Public Schools is set to launch new programs for personalized learning and enhanced safety as students will return on Monday, featuring the SchoolAI tutoring tool and updated middle school math and reading curriculums that meet state standards. Salem High School will use a new notification system and Coram AI for weapons detection—measures that the district plans to expand to all six schools. ABC 13
- ➤ Giles County Public Schools delayed classes by 15 days to finish renovations that upgrade school security with a controlled entry system and tinted windows—measures designed to keep students and staff safe. Superintendent Marlin Campbell and resource officer Daniel McRae stressed that improved physical and technological safety will protect everyone during the school year. WFXR-TV
- ➤ Roanoke City Public Schools held a convocation at the Berglund Center to celebrate the start of the new school year. Superintendent Dr. Verletta White said the district—boasting a 99% staffing rate with only three classroom vacancies and 14,000 students—will begin classes on August 19 and launch new programs including an updated AI policy for staff and learners. WDBJ7
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The City of Roanoke is developing a major housing and commercial project at the Riverdale Industrial Center that will add 375 apartments, restaurants, and retail space, and the site is being cleaned up from its past as a trash yard—an effort supported by performance agreements with developers. City officials say these projects help meet housing needs and revitalize old buildings to shape a brighter future for local neighborhoods. WDBJ7
-
The Concert - A Tribute to ABBA
6-7:30 p.m. — Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges — Ticket prices may vary — Relive the golden days of pop with one of the best ABBA tribute acts in the world.
-
Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Berglund Center — Tickets required — Experience a captivating laser and light show set to the iconic music of Pink Floyd.
-
2nd Annual Safe Community Fair
10 AM – 2 PM — Berglund Center — Registration fee required — Celebrate community spirit with music, food, and fun activities for all ages.
-
Train & Edwin McCain Concert
3:30-9 p.m. — Elmwood Park — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of live music featuring the hits of Train and Edwin McCain.
-
Icons of Country Tribute Night
7-11 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Admission details on event website — Celebrate the best of country music with tributes to Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, and Miranda Lambert.
-
Tyler Hubbard Live
7:30-9 p.m. — Elmwood Park — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening with national artist Tyler Hubbard as part of the Budweiser Summer Series.
-
Chase Rice Concert
6:00-7:30 p.m. — Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges — Tickets required — Enjoy the energetic country sounds of Chase Rice live in Roanoke.
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
You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say.
~ Paulo Coelho
About Daily Roanoke
Welcome to the Daily Roanoke, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Roanoke, Virginia community. If you like the Daily Roanoke, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Roanoke.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Roanoke and across Virginia. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Roanoke
A free Roanoke community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyroanoke.com/sitemap