Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Are your kids’ new Christmas toys actually safe to play with?

Happening soon: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Roanoke on the Roanoke Patch calendar

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What's up Roanoke! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Are your kids’ new Christmas toys actually safe to play with?
  • How Roanoke buyers are stacking deals as mortgage rates finally ease
  • Planning returns? What Roanoke shoppers should know before heading downtown

Also on today's calendar: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Roanoke and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in Roanokefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Roanokefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Cooler with low clouds, with a high of 50 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Monday: A couple of showers, temps: high: 56, low: 22.
  • Tuesday: Turning sunny; windy, colder, with a high of 33 and low of 25 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Got new toys for Christmas? Carilion Clinic shares toy safety tips for the holidays (wfxrtv.com) — Roanoke parents are getting timely toy safety reminders from Carilion Clinic after the holiday gift rush, with special focus on choking hazards, batteries, magnets, and helmets for anything with wheels. Local safety coordinator Jill Lucas-Drakeford urges families to match toys to age levels and use simple tricks like duct tape and elevated play areas to keep younger kids safe.
   

2. Virginia homebuyers get relief as interest rates drop (nbc12.com) — Roanoke-area homebuyers, especially first-timers, are seeing some relief as mortgage rates dip to around 6.2% and homes sit longer on the market, giving buyers more leverage. Local realtors describe how “stacking” seller concessions with Virginia Housing and SERCAP programs can lower upfront costs and interest rates, making ownership more attainable for residents who act before competition heats back up.
   

3. Holiday returns surge as post-Christmas shopping season picks up (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke shoppers are crowding downtown stores for post-Christmas returns and markdowns of 30 to 50 percent, mirroring a national surge in holiday returns. Local retailers urge residents to check policies, keep receipts, and return items in person and early, as many big chains now charge return fees and have specific January deadlines.
   

4. Woods, Sylvia Sagel (nrvnews.com) — Roanoke readers are saying goodbye to longtime resident Sylvia Louisa Woods, 90, who recently passed away after care at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Born in Baltimore and later living in Giles County, she worked over 20 years at Virginia Tech, loved animals and PBS, and requested a private service, with memorial donations directed to the Giles County Animal Shelter.
   

5. Rail Yard Dawgs earn narrow 2-1 home win over Knoxville (wsls.com) — Roanoke hockey fans saw the Rail Yard Dawgs edge Knoxville 2–1 at Berglund Center on a chippy Rumble In The Rink night capped by multiple line brawls. Goalie Austyn Roudebush stopped 30 shots, and former Ice Bear Noah Finstrom buried the game-winner to snap Knoxville’s five-game head-to-head streak.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Simba was LOST on December 24, 2025 in Roanoke, VA 24014 near Mount Pleasant Villas Rutrough Rd SE Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest… (Nextdoor Hollins Rd)
  • Any recommendations for a plumber you can come and look at our kitchen faucet?
    It is touch activated and it is not working even manually. (Nextdoor South Roanoke)
  • US Foods Holding Corp posted a job opening for Sanitation in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • CVS Health posted a job opening for Store Manager in Training in Roanoke. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Roanoke here.

Ok Roanoke! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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