Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How close is the Roanoke River Greenway to finally connecting?

And on the Roanoke Patch calendar - Holiday Market

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Friday December 12th Patch AM
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Hi there, Roanoke! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How close is the Roanoke River Greenway to finally connecting?
  • Why Santa was dangling from Carilion Children’s Hospital roof this week
  • Want to donate blood without leaving Roanoke this week?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 7 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: A little snow, up to 1"; cold, with a high of 36 and low of 32 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, temps: high: 46, low: 25.
  • Sunday: Colder; morning snow, 1-2", with a high of 30 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Then & Now: The Roanoke River Greenway inched closer to completion this year, with the opening of almost 3 more miles of trail (cardinalnews.org) — Roanoke-area residents just gained nearly three more miles of Roanoke River Greenway, including a new West Roanoke section linking West Riverside Drive to Kingsmill Drive in Salem. Roanoke County is now seeking funding to extend the trail to Green Hill Park and finish the eastern connection to Explore Park, eventually creating almost four continuous miles of riverfront greenway.
   

2. Santa rappels down hospital roof to spread Christmas cheer (wfxrtv.com) — Young patients at Roanoke’s Carilion Children’s Hospital got a rare break from monitors and medical routines when Santa rappelled down the hospital roof, with help from local first responders. Families like Kentasia Morrison and her son Darius Jr., hospitalized for ten months, say the surprise visit brought real Christmas magic and made the hospital feel a little more like home.
   

3. The Blood Connection opens first permanent blood donation centers in the Commonwealth (wfxrtv.com) — Roanoke now has a permanent Blood Connection donation center at Valley View, supplying lifesaving blood products directly to Carilion Clinic and local first responders. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the center aims to keep blood supplies local, especially during bad weather, and community leaders are urging residents to donate to support neighbors needing surgeries, cancer treatments, and trauma care.
   

4. State of the County highlights Explore Park's role in Roanoke County's future growth and development. (wsls.com) — Roanoke County leaders just laid out big plans putting Explore Park at the center of future growth, after officially acquiring the 1,100-acre property. The State of the County address also highlighted more than 1,500 new jobs, major school and road investments, expanded housing options, and continued greenway connections toward Green Hill and regional cooperation with Roanoke and Salem.
   

5. Fork in the Market reopens after six-month closure caused by kitchen fire (wdbj7.com) — A beloved downtown Roanoke spot, Fork in the Market, is back open after a six‑month shutdown caused by a grease fire that destroyed its kitchen. After nearly $300,000 in repairs and new ventilation, regulars packed the City Market Building restaurant on reopening day, with staff hoping the holiday season helps them recover lost business.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Saturday December 13
  • Holiday Market
    Sycamore Station, 1900 Dutch Oven Rd, Salem
    9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Roanoke Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • F150 Pickup
    1987 Ford F150 pickup in good condition  text me at 540-312-9970 for more information (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
    FOUND on December 11, 2025 in Vinton, VA 24179 near Between Washington Ave and Madison Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Hollins Rd)
  • Hi there, I had a package of mine mis delivered Saturday, and I’m requesting to have whoever received it, to please give it back to me.
    It’s a Christmas gift. I can come pick it up if mobility is an issue. Just let me know. (Nextdoor Golden Park)
  • The Marvin Companies Inc posted a job opening for Production Manager in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • Goodwill Industries of the Valleys posted a job opening for Processor-Pricer - Full Time (West Salem) 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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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