UPDATE: Teen firefighter recovering from open heart surgery, hopes to return to duty
BOONES MILL, Va. (WFXR) – It’s a story of courage, community, and unbreakable spirit. John Poland, a 17-year-old firefighter from Boones Mill, is facing the fight of his life after undergoing open-heart surgery. But as he recovers, he’s not doing it alone. “I just want to be a firefighter again. I miss doing it,”...
Miss Virginia competes for Miss America crown
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - 52 women from across the United States and Puerto Rico will compete for the title of Miss America 2026 from September 3-7, including Miss Virginia. It was 3 months ago that Leesburg, Virginia native Madison Whitbeck was in Roanoke, competing for Miss Virginia. “I won the...
Roanoke Taco Fest happening Sept. 6
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - The Roanoke Taco Fest is back this year. Benefits from the event go to Huddle Up Moms, an organization providing education, tools and support for mothers. One of the businesses participating this year is SociaRae. Owner Erika Jones speaks with 7@four about the festival. The Roanoke...
False Active Shooter Report Triggers Heavy Police Response at Valley View, Leaves Shoppers Shaken
ROANOKE, Va. – A false report of a shooting at the 4700 block of Valley View Boulevard NW on Monday triggered a massive police response and left shoppers on edge. Roanoke police say the 911 call came in around 6:34 p.m., claiming there was an active shooter in the Valley View Boulevard area. Nearly a dozen police...
Update: Victim identified in Roanoke three-vehicle crash
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)- Police in Roanoke have identified a man killed in a multi-vehicle crash over the weekend. It happened around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, in the 2100 block of Williamson Road NE. Police said the driver and sole occupant of an Oldsmobile Alero was traveling north “at a high rate of speed […]
Roanoke’s Habitat for Humanity Sued for $12 Million Over Volunteer’s Second-Floor Fall
The Roanoke Habitat for Humanity chapter is negligent because it did not provide proper training or safety measures, the lawsuit alleges. A Habitat for Humanity volunteer who fell from the second floor of a house is suing the Roanoke Valley chapter for $12 million. The Roanoke Valley Habitat chapter’s lack...
Furry Friends: Jira is full of love, smiles, and spunk!
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)—WFXR News highlights pets ready for adoption in area shelters through our weekly segment, Furry Friends! On Tuesday, September 2, Kathy Bauman and Anita Finkle with the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection (RCACP) brought Jira to the WFXR News Studio. Jira is a spunky senior who is about...
Huckleberry Park or Downtown? Christiansburg Farmers’ Market at crossroads
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - There’s some controversy with the Christiansburg Farmers’ Market. Some say it’s thriving in its current location. But town leaders say that spot was never meant to be permanent. Now vendors are pushing back against plans to move it downtown. “It doesn’t make sense...
Norfolk & Western’s ‘Big Three’ steam locomotives
Roanoke, Va., headquarters of the former Norfolk & Western Railway and once known as the “Alamo for Steam,” is home to the renowned East End Shops. This facility, still standing today, was where the bulk of the railroad’s steam fleet was built. Among these were three locomotive classes from the 1940s-50s, known as...
Town hall addresses violence in Virginia
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - In 2022, to address violent crime, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares declared a “Ceasefire” in Virginia and out of the 13 cities he’s targeting, four of our hometowns are on that list: Martinsville, Lynchburg, Danville and Roanoke. Ceasefire Virginia is aiming to address...
