Laura Tucker, who has shared so many photos with us from Salem, sends another one. This spider set up shop — and a web — in her backyard over the weekend.

Any spider experts out there who would care to identify it and tell us about it?

Do you have photos to share from Salem or western Roanoke County? We’d love to show ‘em off for you. We’re at news@sosalem.com

Two Salem contestants placed as runners-up in this past weekend’s Miss Roanoke Valley pageant.

Alyce Catherine Haynes, a Radford University student from Salem, was the fourth runner-up in the Miss Roanoke Valley pageant. She’s a fashion merchandising major and won a $200 scholarship.

Katlyn Washenberger, a Glenvar High School student, was the first runner-up in the related Miss Teen Roanoke Valley pageant.

For more on the pageant, including a photo gallery, click here.

We had a previous post on the pageant contestants from Salem — and a photo gallery from the Roanoke Valley Princess Program, which had an event in Salem

Alyce Haynes

Katlyn Washenberger

Saturday wasn’t the best day for an outdoorsy event, but for the medieval faire, the gloomy skies and squishy turf added to the authentic feel of the day. Sunday brightened up considerably, though.

From fortune tellers to ogres, to maypoles and Highlanders, Green Hill Park was full of medieval creatures (and people!) A town crier spouted medieval trivia, throwing candies to (and at) his answerers.

Vikings showed up just as I was leaving. Perhaps it was a Norse rain dance that brought the rain this weekend.

If you think the giant-ogre costume was a little scary, the costume makers from California are hosting a new Haunted House: “Cursed Castle: Haunted Dungeon and Hollywood Special Effects Museum” out at 1469 West Main St., Salem, the old A&N store next to Kroger. It starts on October 9th, and the admission price is $12. Visit www.cursedcastle.com for more information.

Click here for a few more pictures of the medieval faire. Our last post on this event was September 25.

Roanoke Valley and Salem Democrats gathered at the Salem Civic Center on Saturday, September 27 to support their party and to network, but they also came to dance. Over two-thirds of the main floor was filled with tables and a dance area, and Salem High teacher Fred Campbell was the deejay.

Former governor Mark Warner and U.S. Congressional candidate Sam Rasoul were the only folks slated to speak briefly before revelry began, but current Virginia Governor Tim Kaine made an appearance as well.

Warner also spoke at the Sportsmen’s Banquet for Hunters for the Hungry before the dance.

Were you at the Blue Ridge PBS KidsFest at the Salem Civic Center on Sunday? If so, there’s a good chance that Laura Tucker took your photo. She sent us a photo gallery of 342 photos from the event.

Also, here’s a link to the story in this morning’s Roanoke Times, which has some photos of its own.

As always, if you have photos to share involving people or events in Salem and western Roanoke County, you can share at news@sosalem.com

Here’s the latest from the city of Salem:

“The ongoing construction project on the Colorado St. Bridge in Salem will require that the traffic flow on the structure be reduced to just one lane from 6pm until 7am tonight through Friday, October 3rd.

Motorists who normally use this route to enter and exit the city during the evening and overnight hours should seek an alternate route and expect delays. Two lanes of traffic will remain open during daylight hours.”

Here’s the latest on road closings from the city of Salem:

The City of Salem will be closing a portion of Diamond Rd. between Baier Dr. and Paragon Ave. starting on Monday, October 6

th

Motorists who normally travel in this area should seek alternate routes, while residents on Diamond Rd. should expect some inconvenience because gas and water services may be interrupted at times.

School bus traffic flow also will be disrupted by the work, and parents who have questions about changes to the normal bus routes should contact Assistant Salem City Schools Superintendent Mike Bryant (389

‐0130) or Transportation Supervisor Patsy Surratt (375‐

th and should be completed by October 17th.

Here’s the official Roanoke County Police Department press release on Saturday night’s wreck outside Salem. If you missed it, police said a Salem driver led officers on a police chase until he crashed on Interstate 81 in Roanoke County. Here’s the original story from The Roanoke Times — with the police statement below:

Traffic Crash on I81

• Type of Crash: Single Vehicle Crash

• Date of Crash: 09/27/2008 Time of Crash: 2145 hours

• Location of Crash: I81 @ Exit 140

• Investigating Officer: Officer V. G. Branch

• Victim Name(s): N/A

• Suspect Name(s): Hickson, Ricky Allan

• Charges if Applicable: Eluding Police, 2 counts of Child Endangerment, Speeding and Possession of Concealed Weapon

• The road was blocked to traffic

• Alcohol and/or drugs were not a factor.

• Seatbelts were worn by the victim(s).

• Weather was a factor in the crash.

• Additional Remarks: At approximately 2145 hours, Officer Branch was attempting to stop a vehicle for Speeding on I81. The driver lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to exit southbound I81 at Exit 140. The vehicle crossed the embankment and came to rest on the entrance ramp to I81 southbound from Thompson Memorial Drive. The driver, Ricky Hickson, was arrested for Attempting to Elude Police, 2 counts of Child Endangerment, Speeding and Possession of Concealed Firearm. A passenger was transported by Rescue to Roanoke Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

Salem played William Fleming on the road tonight. The Spartans beat the Colonels 23-19. Click here to see a gallery of photos by Roanoke Times photographer Marcus Yam.

Above, Salem’s #66 Brandyn Turley recovers a fumble by Fleming’s #1 Brian Taylor during the game on Friday, Sept. 26. Photo by Marcus Yam, The Roanoke Times

For more scores, schedules, standing and stories, see varsity.roanoke.com

If you have photos from the game, or any game, for that matter, involving teams or players from Salem or western Roanoke County, you can share at news@sosalem.com

OTHER RECENT SALEM COVERAGE

* Sept. 25: Salem-Glenvar Young Life banquet draws 250
* Sept. 23: Webcast asks: Is this the year Fleming beats Salem?
* Sept. 19: Photos of Salem fans painting themselves maroon
* Sept. 12: Salem wins by three over William Byrd.
* Sept. 6: 305 fan photos from the Salem – Brookville game
* Sept. 5: Photos from the Salem – Brookville game.
* Photos of Salem fall sports teams

Glenvar played its second home game of the season tonight. The James River Knights won 21-7, the first loss of the season for the Highlanders.

For more scores, schedules, standing and stories, see varsity.roanoke.com

If you have photos from the game, you can share at news@sosalem.com

OTHER RECENT GLENVAR COVERAGE:

* Sept. 26: Glenvar football JVs defeat James River
* Sept. 25: Glenvar – Salem Young Life banquet draws 250
* Sept. 24: Photos from the Glenvar dodgeball tournament
* Sept. 22: More photos of the Glenvar victory over Covington
* Sept. 20: Photos from the Glenvar – Covington game
* Sept. 18: Photo from Glenvar volleyball practice
* Photos of Glenvar’s fall sports teams