Jake Barnett shares these photos from Relay for Life.

Some readers asked Storefront blogger Amanda Codispoti why a sign reads “A New Day is Dawning at Spartan Square.” Here’s what she found out.

The following students from Salem made the dean’s list at James Madison University for the spring 2013 semester:

Kathleen Chester, John Harvey, Chelsea Henderson, Katherine Lilley, Stephanie Logan, Jennifer Merian, Kenneth Necessary, Kristin Phillips, Samuel Silek, Scott Steehler.

James Madison University offers each student a future of significance – not an education of mere prestige, but an extraordinary education of exceptional scholarship, inventive thinking, unparalleled attention to the world community, a university-wide enthusiasm for teaching, and a commitment to student success.

Submitted by James Madison University

Byron Long has been named to the president’s list at James Madison University for the spring 2013 semester. Students who earn dean’s list honors must carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a GPA of 3.900 or above. Long is a senior whose major is Psychology.

James Madison University offers each student a future of significance — not an education of mere prestige, but an extraordinary education of exceptional scholarship, inventive thinking, unparalleled attention to the world community, a university-wide enthusiasm for teaching, and a commitment to student success.

Submitted by James Madison University

Annie Lin shares these photos and writes:

I got to meet WW ll aviation combat veterans information that was at 10am on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at South County Library in Roanoke.

I missed a turn, when my son Jerry and I went there just on-time. Wow! A crowd of people sat the auditorium. We found 2 seats left at the last row. At time, people stood up and clapped hands to welcome World War ll combat aviation veterans. They are Capt. Bill Overstreet, Capt. Russell Robinson, Sgt. Jeff Baker, and Sgt. Clark Cregger.

They came here to tell us their stories that Capt. Bill Overstreet, who flew his p-tic fighter plane under the Eiffel Tower in pursuit of German ME-109 in the spring of 1944. Capt. Russell Robinson, a B-24 bomber pilot who flew 34 successful missions. Sgt. Jeff Baker, a B-17 waist gunner who participated in the raid at Schweinfurt, and Sgt. Clark Cregger, a B-17 radio operator who was in change of decoding all mission information and changing the codes so the enemy couldn’t trace their locatin.

After their stories were told people asked questions, then everyone moved to other room, there were refreshment and they displayed their pictures and posters. Everyone stood in line waiting autographs. We were lucky to have Mr. Robinson’s Berlin Express pilot picture , 329th squadron, 93rd bomb group picture, and a giant poster from South County Library

It was a great education event for everyone. WW ll even though Jerry and I had not been born. We saluted our heroes for their sacrifice for our county. Thank you Veterans.

On June 16, 2013 at 5:12 a.m., officers from the Salem Police Department responded to a residence in the 10 block of McCauley Drive in reference to a burglary in process.  Upon arrival to the scene, officers made contact with an adult male sustpect identified as Steven Wilson Perez, 20 and a 16-year-old female suspect.  Two additional male suspects were inside the residence and fled through the rear of the residence on foot when confronted by police and were not apprehended after a subsequent search.  Steven Perez and the female juvenile were arrested at the scene.  Warrants were obtained for the two additional male suspects who were identified as DeAnthony Marquis Jackson, 19 and Percy (NMN) Johnson IV, 20 both of whom are reseidents of Roanoke.

On June 17, 2013, U.S. Deputy Marshall’s assigned to the Captial Area Regional Fugitive Task Force’s Roanoke Office arrested Jackson and Johnson after locating them at separate locations in Roanoke.  Both Jackson and Johnson have been charged with one count each of Breaking and Entering while Armed with a Firearm and are currently being held in the Roanoke City Jail without bond.  The investigation into this matter is ongoing.

Submitted by Salem Police Department

Due to heavy demand for brush collection caused by the recent storm, brush collection is delayed. Crews should be finished with Monday A Week residents by the end of the day. We are hoping to start on Tuesday A Week residents tomorrow – June 19, 2013. We are collecting brush as quickly as possible and updates will be posted via newsflash on this website. We appreciate your patience. Please contact the Solid Waste Division at 387-6225 if you have any questions.

Submitted by Roanoke County

Relay for Life of Salem was held on the track of Salem High School on Friday, June 15^th, and thousands of participants brought their walking shoes for what has become one of Salem’s late spring traditions.

The event began at 5:30pm in the cafeteria with a Survivor Reception and lasted until 10am on Saturday morning. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and faith-based groups to further the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, get well, finding cures, and fighting back.  The event spans about 14 hours total, but the turnout supports the all nighter.

“Salem is one of the events where quite a few people stick around,” said Julie Satterwhite, Community Manager for the American Cancer Society in Western Virginia.  “We will have over 200 throughout the night…it’s very much the hometown feel.  It’s not a big corporate event.  It’s very family friendly.”

One reason for that is the support Relay for Life gets from the City of Salem schools, government, and Parks & Recreation, in addition to the citizens.  Satterwhite is thrilled to see everyone stand behind the event so strongly.

“Everyone is here for each other,” she said.  “It’s not because a company said they had to to do it…City of Salem backs us completely.  We get support with setup, throughout the event, donations, venues, they put bows up all along Main Street…the city has made it their thing that they want to do.”

“I will stay with this even when I retire from the city,” said Salem Special Events Director Kathy Murphy, who was on hand representing Salem Parks & Recreation, as well.  “I lost my dad eight years ago to cancer, I lost a brother-in-law 13 years ago to cancer, and both my grandparents died of cancer.  There is a personal aspect.”

Salem resident Nancy Gladden is a 13 year survivor of breast cancer and was one of the first to circle the track with good friend Diana Bird.  She said is blessed simply because of timing.

“I give all the credit to early detection,” said Gladden.  “I had wonderful doctors, and support, but the main reason was because they found it early.”

Gladden had two separate stints of cancer, one in 2000, and the second in 2003, but said she continued her focus on fighting back and tries to make the Salem relay annually. She was part of one of 47 teams that were on hand for the 2013 event, spanning from families to churches to businesses.

Satterwhite said during the event they have raised nearly $80,000 for this year, and you can still donate for 2013 by going to www.salemrelay.org

See photos from Relay here.

Searching for Harmony:  Kyle Remnant, solo trombone, in concert at College Lutheran Church, 210 South College Avenue, Salem, 7 pm, Thursday, June 27.  Come and enjoy an evening of music and witness.  The church is handicap accessible.  A free-will offering accepted to benefit the Salem Food Pantry.   Light reception to follow with the opportunity to meet and talk with Kyle, a graduate student in performance at JMU.  He will also be in concert at Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, 2138 McVitty Road, on Sunday, June 23 at 3 pm.  Questions, contact Karen Adams at CLC, 389-4963.

Submitted by College Lutheran Church

Here are a few pictures from Roanoke College after the storm on Thursday, June 13. Power was knocked out to most of campus. High St. was closed because of downed power lines. Several trees and limbs were blown down. The College closed early Thursday to allow for cleanup and for employees to get home safely.

In the attached photos, the street scene is High St., where trees knocked down power lines and a transformer. The other image is taken from the Turbyfill Quad where portions of several trees fell. The third image is tree damage near Lucas Hall and Life Sciences building.

Submitted by Roanoke College