Good morning, Roanoke.

Local florists participated in Petal It Forward on Wednesday, handing out thousands of free bouquets around Roanoke — George’s Flowers gave out 3,200 bouquets as locals embraced the gesture amid rising costs.

Longtime Tribune publisher Claudia Whitworth died last week at 98.

Her funeral is Friday at Pilgrim Baptist Church, and her children plan to continue her legacy of positive local journalism.

Montgomery County Board of Supervisors postponed the vote on a 349-unit housing development in Elliston until Oct.

26 after a lengthy public hearing on Tuesday. The project could double the village's population and is planned for the historic Fotheringay area.

Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia accepts nominations for its Father Christmas program to help dads facing (financial, physical or mental hardships) give their children a memorable holiday.

Nominations remain open until Nov. 5.

Virginia Tech Board of Visitors voted on Wednesday to appoint Richard Linton — a three-time Hokie — as the university's 17th president.

He will succeed Tim Sands and begin his term in Blacksburg at the start of the spring semester next year.

RetirePath VA, the state-facilitated retirement program, expanded statewide to include businesses with five or more employees (including part-timers), covering 350,000 more workers who can join.

Employers must register by October 30 to offer this no-fee plan.

Dr. Bobby Mahajan of the American Lung Association explained that lung nodules are abnormal lung spots that are usually benign but can be cancerous.

He urged those 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year history or recent quitters to get screened early (as with Pope Leo XIV’s plan).

On Wednesday, a local nonprofit met with Salem stakeholders to discuss plans for a new multi-sheet hockey rink that would support youth sports and college hockey programs.

The project is expected to break ground within 14 months as hockey participation continues to rise.

Tim Manning has been named the seventh captain for the Rail Yard Dawgs for the 2026-2027 season — he served as an alternate captain last season.

The team will name more leaders soon and open the season against the Fayetteville Marksmen on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:05 p.m.