Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a closed runway shouldn’t derail your Roanoke holiday flight plans
And check out Santa Brunch on the Roanoke Patch calendar
Good morning to you Roanoke! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a closed runway shouldn’t derail your Roanoke holiday flight plans
- How Roanoke plans to tackle homelessness next spring and beyond
- How Roanoke’s new crime center is already changing police response
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.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Kathleen R.!
Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Roanokefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From our Partner
Today's Roanoke Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Roanoke.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, with a high of 49 and low of 27 degrees.
- Sunday: Morning snow, 1-2"; windy, temps: high: 34, low: 14. ⛄️ Brr!
- Monday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high of 37 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Holiday travel unaffected by Roanoke airport runway closure (wfxrtv.com) — If you’re flying out of Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport for the holidays, one runway is temporarily closed for safety repairs but officials say flights and staffing should remain unaffected. Crews are rebuilding damaged EMAS blocks after a recent runway overrun, with the goal of reopening the runway before Christmas as holiday passenger numbers ramp up. 
2. Roanoke's Hope and Home Task Force working to present new strategies in Spring 2026 (wsls.com) — Roanoke officials say homelessness has dropped 3.2% as existing shelters and support programs continue housing more people, while a new Hope and Home Task Force readies recommendations for April 2026. The story highlights rising rents, chronic and veteran homelessness, and lists specific Roanoke shelters, warming centers, and assistance programs residents can contact right now for housing, financial, and crisis help.
3. Roanoke Police unveil new real-time crime center (wsls.com) — Roanoke police have launched a high-tech Real-Time Operations and Crime Control Center that’s already helped with more than 30 arrests since July, using over 1,000 cameras and gunshot detection tools. City leaders say the system aims to cut gun violence while staying within privacy laws, but some residents stress that community cooperation and speaking up about crime are just as important as new technology.
4. Roanoke Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation Material (einpresswire.com) — A Roanoke man has pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation material after sending explicit videos to an undercover FBI officer on a social media app. Federal officials say the case underscores ongoing efforts to track online predators and urge Roanoke-area parents to closely monitor their children’s digital activity and contacts.
5. Mind, body and spirit (jmu.edu) — A former Carilion Clinic ER doctor who spent a decade practicing in Roanoke has become founding dean of a new osteopathic medical school in Chicago. He reflects on how his Roanoke emergency-room experience shaped his holistic, wellness-focused approach to training future physicians and supporting their mental health.
📸 Around Roanoke
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Santa Brunch
The Maridor, 1857 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke
11:00 am
Sunday December 14
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Paint Nite Brand Creative Events
Big Lick Brewing Company , LLC , Roanoke
2:00 pm - Winter Solstice Gathering
Happy Hollow Gardens Park , 6697 Mt Chestnut Rd , Roanoke
2:00 pm - DnD Comedy Night
Atheling Meadworks , 123 Campbell Ave SE , Roanoke
6:00 pm - City Council Public Hearings
Roanoke, VA Calendar , 215 Church Ave. SW , Roanoke
7:00 pm - Gun Violence Prevention Commission
Roanoke, VA Calendar Roanoke, VA 24011 - Ribbon Cutting - Hermitage Roanoke
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce , 1009 Old Country Club Rd NW , Roanoke
10:30 am - Dickens of a Christmas
Downtown Roanoke Streets - Roanoke VA 24011 - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
Taubman Museum of Art 110 Salem Avenue Southeast Roanoke, Virginia 24011
6:30 pm - Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
Taubman Museum of Art , 110 Salem Ave SE , Roanoke
8:45 pm
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
🗓 Events Nearby
- Women’s Naturalist Hike
Explore Park , 56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd , Roanoke
9:00 am - Roanoke Barbell Classic 4
Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport , 5202 Aviation Dr NW , Roanoke
10:00 am - Edible Science - Graham Cracker Architecture
Stewartsville Library , 45 Cascade Dr , Vinton
11:00 am - Paint Your Pet Class
Taubman Museum of Art , 110 Salem Ave SE , Roanoke
1:00 pm
Saturday December 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Roanoke PatchAM possible:
- techtronics world — (540) 529-5829
I sell electronics on line
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 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
- Update: Pet Reunited
Leela, a cat who went missing in Roanoke, VA, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 days, 3 hours. Message from Owner: "Unfortunately… (Nextdoor Hollins Rd) - Hello I’m looking for a BETTY BULLS who I believe mistakenly had a large package delivered to my house on Forest Park Blvd in NW Roanoke.
If you believe this is your item please contact me and please have proof of purchase so that I know it’s going to the rightful owner. **I’m not… (Nextdoor Villa Heights)
- BJ's Wholesale Club posted a job opening for Produce Clerk Part Time in Roanoke. Apply here.
- Kirkland's posted a job opening for * Senior Assistant Manager 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 demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
