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Students helped the Board of Supervisors and the School Board cut the ribbon to the new entrance to Cave Spring High School today. Emily Flora SWoCo

Early this morning, school officials, board members, the board of supervisors and even students came out to join the ribbon cutting of Cave Spring High School's new entrance.

The renovation project began in late September of 2008 and cost about $875,000. The purpose of the project was to increase entrance security by putting the attendance office closer to the entrance of the school so that visitors may be monitored.

It also serves to improve environmental conditions, and includes a new heating and air conditioning system, new attendance office which also doubles as a ticket office for events, an addition of a concession stand, upgraded fire and smoke alarm system and new and improved aesthetic look to the main entrance of the school facility.

H. Odell "Fuzzy" Minnix thanked Principal Steve Spangler and the students for making it work while the main entrance was closed and said that first impressions are really important and he hopes that this impression makes a big difference for Cave Spring High School.

Inside of the new entrance at Cave Spring High School. Emily Flora SWoCo

Principal Spangler also offered his thanks and appreciation for the new entrance.

"The completion of this project is a bi-product of our relationship with the Board of Supervisors," Minnix said.

Cave Spring High School was built in 1956 and that building currently serves as Cave Spring Middles School. The building that serves as Cave Spring High School now, was built in 1966. Cave Spring houses nearly 900 students and more than 100 staff members.

The School Board also expressed their excitement of beginning several other renovations to SWoCo schools including Green Valley Elementary, Cave Spring Elementary, and to begin the renovation of Cave Spring Middle School. Cave Spring High School's renovation is one of several that have now been completed including, the Oak Grove Elementary School addition, Bogle Field and Hidden Valley High School.

For more photos of the ribbon cutting, view our gallery here.

Roanoke County Public Library system announces April events. But April begins tomorrow, so you better put them on your calendar and register today!

Book Clubs for Adults

“Fourth Thursday” Adult Book Club for HQ/419 Library
Will be meeting at the Daily Grind Coffee Shop in West Village on Rt. 419
Thursday (April 23)
Morning Club:  10:00 am
Share your favorite book with the group!
Evening Club:  7:00 pm
Bring your favorite biography!
3131 Electric Road.  Call 772-7507 for more information.

Other Events for Adults

Friends of the Library Meeting, Dinner and Preview Book Sale
HQ/419 Library
Friday (April 17) 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Open to members of Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library system.
3131 Electric Road.  Call 772-7507 for more information.

Book Sale – Roanoke County Public Library
HQ/419 Library
Saturday (April 18) through Thursday (April 23) during normal business hours.
Huge selection of books, children’s books, books on tape, movies and DVDs.
Open to the public.  Come early for best selection.
3131 Electric Road.  Call 772-7507 for more information.

Job Interview Workshop
HQ/419 Library
Monday (April 6), 6:30 p.m.
3131 Electric Road, call 772-7507 for more information.

Teen Events
Teen Writing Group
HQ/419 Library
Thursday (April 9), 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
3131 Electric Road, call 772-7507 for more information.

Manga/Anime Night
HQ/419 Library
Tuesday (April 28), 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
3131 Electric Road, call 772-7507 for more information.

Children's Special Events

Spring Preschool Parties
Guest appearance by the Spring (Easter) Bunny!

•    HQ/419 Library at Garst Mill Park
Monday (April 6) 10:30 a.m.

Pokemon Club
Grades 2 – 6
HQ/419 Library
Thursday (April 23), 4:00 – 5:15 p.m.
3131 Electric Road, call 772-7507 for more information.

Computer Classes

April 20
Roanoke County Library Classes
“First Search on the Web” 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

April 22
Roanoke County Library Classes
“Resume Building with Word 2007” 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

April 27
Roanoke County Library Classes
“Second Search on the Web” 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

April 27
Roanoke County Library Classes
“Excel I (2007)” 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

April 27
Roanoke County Library Classes
“Excel I (2007)” 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

April 28
Roanoke County Library Classes
“Excel II (2007)” 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

April 28
Roanoke County Library Classes
“Excel II (2007)” 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

April 29
Roanoke County Library Classes
“Excel III” 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

April 29
Roanoke County Library Classes
“Excel III” 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.., 3131 Electric Road, 772-7507 to register.

Tim Thornhill sent us these photos along with this message: "Former SW County resident Mark Ellis had never been to Washington DC so my old friend and I took a short trip to the capital last week. Always lots to see there- the monuments,memorials and museums- but we were outside the White House when police rapidly cleared the streets and out came a motorcade.It looked like the president in one of the cars or was that our imagination? We also saw a group walking out of the White House front door and headed toward the street. Sure looked like Aretha Franklin to me! Probably not though... Read more »

Roanoke County police have issued this press release:

The Roanoke County Police Department is seeking to dispel some mistaken information that is being circulated by emails forwarded among different parents’ groups and both public and private schools, primarily in the south Roanoke County area. The emails concern a suspicious tan vehicle which has been observed on a couple of occasions over the last two weeks in residential neighborhoods located off Brambleton Avenue and Bent Mountain Road (US 221). The original callers expressed concern to police that the vehicle was in the neighborhoods at the same time as school buses discharging kids returning home from school.

In both instances in which police have been called, one on March 21 and the second on March 26, the complainants obtained a specific description of the car, including a tag number. The same description, including the same tag, was provided to police in both instances. Police located the car on both occasions and officers spoke to the owner/operator each time. On neither occasion was this person found to be engaged in criminal activity.

There appear to be at least two versions of the email being circulated about. One of the emails goes so far as to state that the county police are seeking to apprehend the driver in the act of abducting a child. Understandably, this seems to have caused considerable concern among parents.

The county police are NOT seeking to apprehend this vehicle as was reported in the emails. This should not be construed to ever discourage anyone from contacting the police should they observe this or any other person behaving in a suspicious or threatening manner. However, to repeat, the county police are not seeking the tan sedan at this time.

The Roanoke County Emergency Communications Center reports that power has now been restored to the Oak Grove area.

For more on the outage, see our previous post.

The Roanoke County Emergency Communications Center advises us of a power outage in the Oak Grove area:

The Roanoke County Police Department and Emergency Communications Center would like to notify citizens that there is a power outage in the area of Electric Rd/Keagy Rd to the area of Oak Grove Plaza. The Emergency Communications Center is aware of the outage. The power outage is affected traffic lights on Electric Rd. We are advising motorist to use caution when driving through the area.

Anyone in Oak Grove have a first-hand report to offer? You can leave a comment below.

The latest hike by Colonial Avenue Baptist was on March 22 to Apple Orchard Falls near Arcadia. Here's what Tim Thornhill had to say about the trip: "We also found a geocache, a hidden treasure container, off the trail just above the falls. The kids were scrambling to find it first. While you can come down to the falls from the Blue Ridge Parkway it is very steep. We took the longer scenic route that followed the creek up to the falls near Arcadia off I-81.

On this trip was Angela and Kole Bridgers, Jim, Reagan and Parker Rhodes, Alex and Tucker Coleman, Tim, Shannon and Renee Thornhill with dogs Fez and Major, Tim, Julie and Josh Vest, Melissa Scott, Kris Willis, Jeffrey and Randy Hawley. The hike is 2 miles each way. Next up? We might take a break from hiking next week and just have a picnic!"

To see the rest of the photos, click HERE!

Have you been on a hike yet this Spring? Or maybe you have news from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? Either way, you can send your news and photos to news@swo-co.com!

Today's the day. Or, more accurately, tonight's the tonight.

The voting for "The Best of Southwest Roanoke County" ends at midnight.

After that, we'll compile the votes and announce the winners in our anniversary issue of April 24.

So just what's in our "Best of Southwest Roanoke County" survey?

Lots of things. Who's the best teacher? The best rec league coach? The best church outreach program?

Who's the best hair salon? The best plumber? The best place to get your car fixed?

Where's the best coffee? The best iced tea? Even this one: Which is the best tattoo studio?

And our favorite: What's the best thing about living in Southwest Roanoke County?

We've got details on our Best of Southwest Roanoke County contest -- including a link to the official online ballot -- right here.

The SPCA held its Puppy Love Ball over the weekend and lots of people from Southwest Roanoke County were there.

In fact, lots of them are in this picture here. These folks identified themselves only as "Table Two" -- big table! -- but they did say they were from Southwest Roanoke County. So if you know who's who, well, let us know in the comment field below. We'd love to give them a shout-out!

They weren't the only people from Southwest Roanoke County who stepped onto the red carpet for our paparazzi photo crew. So did:
* Cynthia Edmunds
* Ken and Ellie Lasky, and Karen and Dan Curtis
* Dr. Erika Henson and Dr. Matthew Sisk
* Jessika and Ed Wells
* Erin and Michael Wolfe
* Gael Dixon and Mimi Bartley
* Brook Castro and Krysta Morgan
* Jill Woltz
* Chip and Jannie Camper
* Jannie Camper (again!)
* Becca Swann
* Kathryn Lucas
* Pam and Kathryn Lucas
* Jennifer Johnson
* Missy and Brad Allen
* Bill and Jill Hume
* Pat Richards
* Danielle Yarber
* Sandy Newman
* Gail Trussell
* Jenni Johnson and Gretchen Price

Want to see more from the Puppy Love Ball? We have an entire photo gallery.

And, as always if you have photos of people from Southwest Roanoke County, you can share at news@swo-co.com

Emily Bishop, a freshman at Hidden Valley High School sent these photos of downtown Roanoke to us!

Click on each photo to enlarge.

Have you taken any photos of the beginning of Spring yet? If so, send them to us at news@swo-co.com!