Good morning, Roanoke.

Bedford County Fair is underway at Liberty Lake Park (939 Burks Hill Rd) with updated rides, fair food and local animal exhibits that showcase community 4H and FFA chapters.

The free event began Friday, Aug. 21 and continues through Sunday.

Downtown Roanoke Inc. is hosting its annual Sidewalk Sale today on Market, Jefferson and Campbell streets, where 19 local retailers offer up to 50% off on art prints, cards and more.

Shoppers can also collect stamps for a chance to win a gift basket at Market Square.

RAM House Day Shelter on Elm Avenue reached a $4 million funding target using unused COVID era funds from the City – it now seeks an extra $1.2 million to cover rising costs.

The executive director said guests will be welcomed within the next few weeks.

Crumbl Cookies opened its new store on Starkey Road today, drawing a long line eager to try the chocolate chip cookie and other treats.

The first 100 visitors received a free T shirt + owner Patrick Gardner said the chain sends new recipes every week.

Narro Trucks (a Dublin electric vehicle maker) delivered its first utility vehicle to Pulaski County Parks and Recreation on Aug.

20 at Randolph Park. The startup (employing 3 and aiming to grow to 20) seeks funding to boost local jobs and strengthen supply chains.

Conservation groups warn that pending Interior Department policy changes could put Virginia wilderness areas, including parts of Shenandoah and Chincoteague, at risk from industrial development (such as oil drilling and data centers).

Reduced protections may open these lands to commercial interests.

WFXR meteorologist Brandon Lashbrook launched the weather series Contact Departure on Aug.

21 to show how NOAA and Air Force crews fly into storms to gather crucial data. The premiere features a 2024 mission into Hurricane Milton — and more episodes will follow.

The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force kept its existing advisories in place for the Roanoke River watershed after recent rain helped slow worsening conditions.

Groundwater remains low and Governor Spanberger’s water conservation call holds as the task force will meet Tuesday, Aug. 25 to review new data.

Since last fall, city workers changed Williamson Road by reducing lanes and adding a center turn lane and bike lanes between Pocahontas Avenue and Angell Avenue.

The effort cut crashes nearly 40% and while some local business owners worry about congestion, officials will review the next steps soon.

Roanoke leaders held a ribbon cutting today for a new Valley Metro bus stop at Valley View Walmart that will open Monday and features two covered shelters, benches, lean rails and direct access to Walmart — 20 years in the making.

National CDC data shows that COVID-19 test positivity climbed above 3% for the first time since March, and experts expect cases to increase with more summer travel and school reopenings.

Roanoke health officials advise residents to test when sick and stay home to slow local spread.

Roanoke shoppers are avoiding fresh produce out of recall fears even at stores like Market on Melrose that have not received any recalls — nutrition experts warn that the anxiety could drive families facing food insecurity to switch to frozen or canned options.