Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education | News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR

CHIP of Roanoke Valley held its 5th annual Back to School Celebration today, providing school supplies and other services to hundreds of children and families. At today’s Back to School celebration community partner booths offered information on wellness activities and other services. Tiffany Dennis is the major gift officer for CHIP, an early childhood visiting program in downtown Roanoke focused on mothers-to-be and low income children:

Republicans running for their parties US Senate nomination discuss why they should be the one to challenge Mark Warner this November:

One of the Republicans who is looking to upset the Commonwealth’s Senior US Senator in November says she wants to be the nation’s CPA. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has more:

The apparent front runner for the Republican US Senate nomination says he has an uprising of support that can defeat Mark Warner in November. That story from WFIR’s Clark Palmer:

A former member of the CIA and State Department is vying for the opportunity to face long-time Virginia Senator Mark Warner. Details from WFIR’s Clark Palmer

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys and Melrose Plaza unveiled its 2026 group of “Living Legends” this morning, five community leaders that are now honored on the “wall of history,” that celebrates northwest Roanoke and Black achievement. Its the second group of Living Legends to be recognized after the inaugural group last year. Retired pastors Edward Burton and William Lee, Roanoke Tribune publisher Stan Hale, one-time Star Search TV talent show winner Durell Coleman and retired Gainsboro Library director Carla Lewis were this year’s honorees.

In opening remarks, Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb thanked the second group of Living Legends for doing “extraordinary things in their lifetime.” Former Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea Sr. and Peter Lewis from Apple Ridge Farm – Carla Lewis’s husband – were among those honored in 2025. Goodwill President and CEO Richmond Vincent:

Its that time of year again – local public school systems are asking members of the community to “Load the Bus” this weekend with school supplies at any of the four Walmart stores in the Roanoke Valley. There’s a kickoff event tomorrow at 3-pm at the Salem Walmart, and then school supplies – or monetary donations – will be accepted through Sunday at 5pm, earmarked for students in need in Salem, Roanoke County, Roanoke City and Craig County. Every school supply donated by the public during the annual Load the Bus campaign will be distributed to children whose families may not be able to fully equip them for the new school year – in Roanoke County school gets underway again on August 13th. Chuck Lionberger is director of community relations for Roanoke County:

School buses will be on site at Roanoke area Walmart stores:

Come out to any of the Roanoke Valley Walmart stores (Bonsack, Clearbrook, Salem and Valley View) to donate school supplies for students who might not be able to afford the tools they need to be successful in school.  We will be collecting supplies at the registers and at bins in each store throughout the day.  We also will be accepting donations of back-to-school supplies and/or monetary donations for students in need.  Any money collected at the event will be used to purchase school supplies.  We need backpacks, glue sticks, notebooks, 3-ring binders, crayons, colored pencils, notebook paper (college and wide-ruled), pens, pencils, highlighters, rulers, folders, scissors, and construction paper.  We also need classroom items like tissues, hand sanitizer, printer paper, dry erase markers and more.

The post Its Load the Bus time again for students this weekend first appeared on News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR.

The first and only graduate so far of the Excel Center Adult High School at Melrose Plaza is Brittany Mills, 19 years after a car accident led to her not finishing. Now Mills has earned her diploma and a dental assistant certification. There are 14,000 adults in the Roanoke Valley without a high school diploma according to the Excel Center. “The support services offered through The Excel Center remove barriers that often keep adults from returning to school,” said Kelley Weems, senior director of community impact at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. “Brittany’s story shows what’s possible when those barriers are removed. Access to education doesn’t just help someone earn a diploma. It opens the door to new opportunities and a brighter future.”

Operated by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, The Excel Center is Virginia’s first public adult high school. The tuition-free school provides flexible scheduling, life coaching, transportation assistance and free childcare so adult learners can pursue their education while balancing work and family responsibilities. Mills is continuing her education to pursue a career in dental hygiene.

After launching almost a year ago with its first cohort of students seeking a high school diploma and workforce credentials, the Excel Center Adult High School at Melrose Plaza is getting ready for a small expansion in size, starting with job fairs today through next Tuesday. Kelly Weems is Senior Director of Community Impact for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, which operates the Excel Center adult high school. Its first graduate received her diploma recently – more will be recognized later this year. Weems says the Excel Center average student class will go from around 50 to 75 and these job fairs are seeking math, English and electives teachers – and a “Lead Life Coach.” More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

A candidate running for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District says a campaign volunteer is being harassed following a now deleted Facebook comment. WFIR’s Clark Palmer explains:

The Miss Virginia Pageant is back this weekend at the Berglund Center in Roanoke through the final competition, and joining us live in studio this morning to talk about it was the reigning Miss Virginia Madison Whitbeck, who hails from Leesburg, and Miss Virginia’s Teen Aryana Guest, who attends Tabb High School. Preliminary competition ends tonight with the finals – and the new Miss Virginia and Miss Virginia’s Teen will be crowned tomorrow night. Hear the complete interview below or watch it on the WFIR Facebook.

A grant secured by United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge has helped fund upgrades at the Rocky Mount Community Park, with more than 30 nature-themed interpretive signs now added to a paved nature trail there. Rocky Mount town leaders celebrated  the new trail signage with United Way at an event today. Kianna Price Marshall is the Vice President of Advancement for the Roanoke-based United Way chapter:

A unique way to celebrate Father’s Day – this Saturday, the day before the actual holiday – the Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia non-profit based in Richmond is offering a free day of play at Center in the Square for Dad and the kids, at Kids Square, Roanoke Pinball Museum and the Starcade Museum, from 10 to 5.  This is also Virginia Fatherhood Week. Registration is required for the free day at Center in the Square this Saturday, signup at VAdad.org/events or see link below.  Chris Beach is the founder and CEO for the Fatherhood Foundation, which offers classes and events statewide. Beach, who grew up without his own dad around, launched the Fatherhood Foundation after COVID; he’s looking to bring more events to the Roanoke area soon.

Register for free day at Center in the Square here