Voters in the Catawba District of Roanoke County will now have a three-way race for the Board of Supervisors.

Incumbent Butch Church — a Republican-turned-independent — is seeking re-election. Carter Turner — a Democrat-turned-independent — is also running.

Today, David Drake announces he’ll seek the Republican nomination.

Here’s a statement from Drake: Read more »

GET CLOSER TO THE ACTION WITH THE “IMPACT WRESTLING WORLD TOUR” JULY 21 AT THE SALEM CIVIC CENTER IN SALEM!

TICKETS START AT ONLY $20! JOIN JEFF JARRETT, MR. ANDERSON, AJ STYLES & MORE ON THE “IMPACT WRESTLING WORLD TOUR!”

Salem, Virginia (June 27, 2011) – TNA Wrestling presents the “IMPACT WRESTLING World Tour” live in Salem!  The Superstars of IMPACT WRESTLING, as seen on Spike, (Thursday 9 p.m. ET/PT) are invading the Salem Civic Center Thursday, July 21, starting at 7:30 p.m. for an unforgettable night of action.

The “IMPACT WRESTLING World Tour” is an interactive experience that sends its craziest fans BACKSTAGE to meet their favorite IMPACT WRESTLING Superstars!

• Follow ring announcer Jeremy Borash on Twitter (@JeremyBorash) to find out the secret “Tweet & Greet” locations of various Superstars the day of the show

• Salem fans can GET CLOSER to the Superstars and the LOUDEST FANS will be invited backstage for a special IMPACT WRESTLING experience!

• Fans that purchase a $50 ticket will receive a special meet and greet with the IMPACT WRESTLING Superstars at 5:30 pm! (Redeemable with ticket the night of the show)

Appearing live in person at the Salem Civic Center will be:

IMPACT WRESTLING Superstar
MR. ANDERSON

“The Phenomenal”
AJ STYLES

“Big Poppa Pump”
SCOTT STEINER
“King of the Mountain”
JEFF JARRETT

IMPACT WRESTLING Tag Team
BEER MONEY

AND MORE!

TICKETS: : On sale now at ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.  Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Salem Civic Center box office.
(For more information:www.IMPACTWRESTLING.com)

About TNA Wrestling

Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling is the world’s most innovative experience in professional wrestling, airing in over 120 countries worldwide.  Join Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, Sting, the lovely and lethal TNA Knockouts and the no-limits X-Division for “IMPACT WRESTLING” every Thursday night at 9:00 pm ET/PT on SPIKE.

For more information on IMPACT WRESTLING, visit www.IMPACTWRESTLING.com TNA Entertainment, LLC is a privately held company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

Submitted by Sharon E. Pratt

Garbage collection will be delayed by one day for all routes for the Independence Day holiday. Please contact the Solid Waste Division at 387-6225 or for any questions regarding the collection schedule.

Submitted by Roanoke County

Stonegate Swim Team ended Hunting Hills’  win streak of nine years and 54 Monday-night-swim-meets on Monday night, June 27 with just over 300 points: 1494 to 1190.

Here’s video of Stonegate’s traditional pre-meet cheer.

We also have this photo gallery from the meet.

Photo Miranda Beck

Some of the Glenvar cheerleaders were out at the Spartan Square Kroger collecting donations on Friday, June 24 for new uniforms they hope to get this fall.

From left, Sapphire Reyes, Heather Young, and Morgan Miller. In back, Diamond Reyes, Emily Strom, Helen Gonzalez, Hannah Moran, and team mom Myrtle Miller.

What are you and your family and friends up to this summer?

Shoot us a photo and a tidbit of into to news@sosalem.com or use our “SHARE” tool and we’ll post it here.

Roanoke, VA  – Foundation for Roanoke Valley announced that it has awarded a $2,500 grant from its Community Catalyst Funds to the Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP) of Roanoke Valley for the agency’s comprehensive child safety program.  The grant will enable CHIP to purchase and provide to its many families and children such items as infant and child car seats and child bike helmets, as well as safety gates, socket plugs, cabinet locks and other safety items for the home.
The Foundation’s grant was made possible through a partnership with Erie Insurance, a Fortune 500 corporation headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania.  Erie Insurance was established in 1925 and has grown to become a multi-line insurance company offering home, auto, business and life insurance through branches in 11 states and the District of Columbia.  This year, Erie made the corporate decision to leverage its charitable giving by connecting its many locations with the community foundations in its corporate footprint.
Mark Banks, Vice President and Branch Manager of the Erie Insurance Virginia operations, joined the Foundation in presenting the grant check to Robin Haldiman, CHIP’s CEO.  Banks noted “We are excited about this new partnership with the Foundation and look forward to the relationship growing in the years ahead.  Our employees are passionate about helping children in this community, and given Erie’s long commitment to safety, this grant to CHIP represents a perfect match for us.”
Haldiman added:  “Every year, 14 million children are injured enough to require medical treatment, and 90% of those injuries occur in the home.  Unfortunately, home and child safety supplies are some of the most expensive to purchase and are very rarely donated to CHIP, so while we always address home and child safety issues during home visits with our clients, it is not always possible to provide families with the items they need.  This grant from the Foundation through Erie Insurance is a wonderful resource that will help us ensure the safety of CHIP children.”
Foundation for Roanoke Valley is the community foundation serving this region.  The Foundation has worked for more than two decades to administer and make grants from hundreds of funds on behalf of the community. For more information, visit Foundation for Roanoke Valley’s

Submitted by Michelle M. Eberly, Program Officer, Foundation for Roanoke Valley

After nearly 29 years with the Salem Police Department, Lt. Timothy “Tim” B. Carroll, Sr. is retiring effective July 1. Carroll began his employment at the Salem Police department in September of 1982 and during his time of service he has performed a number of important duties.

Carroll worked as a patrol officer and detective until 2003 when he moved to the forensics unit as a crime scene investigator and property and evidence room manager. He was appointed to Sergeant in charge of this unit in June of 2007. On September 1, 2010, he attained the rank of Lieutenant and remained in charge of the department’s forensic unit until his retirement.

“Tim is a dedicated employee and the position he has held requires the organizational skills and attention to detail that he possesses,” says Salem Police Chief Jeff Dudley. “The department will miss his talents and his sense of humor. Tim has a wit about him that is very contagious.”

Tim was selected as Salem Police Officer of the year back to back in 1992 and 1993 for his outstanding work.

Tim has a daughter, Carmen, and a son, Timmy, who reside in the Roanoke Valley.

Tim will be relocating to Terre Haute Indiana to join his wife, Candice.

Submitted by Mike Stevens

John Wimmer shares this photo gallery from Monday’s 14A softball between South County and Salem in the RAYSA tournament.

Do you have photos from the tournament? Or anything else going on that involves people from Salem or western Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

Stop by for an amazing magic show for the whole family, featuring the magic of Jonathan Austin.
Date:June 30
Time:4:00 PM
Location:  Glenvar Branch
Cost:Free.

Submitted by Roanoke County Library

Every 2 seconds, someone needs blood. Carilion Clinic and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive and are in need of blood donors. Give blood on Thursday, June 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sign up at the front desk for an appointment or call Mandy Ramos at 389-8979.