The SHS Pride of Salem finished a successful season with presenting their Spring Fling Concert on May 21. All sections of the band performed including Concert, Symphonic, Jazz and Percussion. Director Mr. Jim Paxton was presented with a retirement gift from the Board of the Salem Band Boosters, and a well-attended reception followed the concert.

Please join the Pride of Salem Jazz Band sponsored by the City of Salem Parks and Rec Department as they present “A Night of Jazz” on June 8, at 7 p.m. at Salem Longwood Park, playing a wide variety of music including Big Band, Jazz, Blues and Funk. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and join us for a night of music. The event is free and open to the public.

Later this summer, on Tuesday, July 31, WDBJ, with the assistance of Salem High School Pride of Salem Band, will be hosting the 21st annual Summer Music Games of Southwest Virginia at 7 p.m. at Salem Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. For tickets, visit crowntickets.com. For more information, visit the event website at summermusicgames.org. You may also contact Booster President Steve Belanger for questions or desires to make a donation to the band at sbelanger@salembandboosters.org.

– Submitted by Andrea Cowling

Haley and Kinsey Runion. Photo courtesy of Tim and Tammy Runion

Congratulations to sisters Kinsey Diane Runion and Haley Elyse Runion who graduated on the same day!

Kinsey graduated in 2010 from Roanoke College with a Bachelor of Science in biology. Kinsey interned and worked for LifeNet in 2010, as well. Kinsey went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in nursing at Radford University. She graduated on May 5, 2012 with honors, in Sigma Theta Tau, and honors for having a 3.5-and-above grade-point average. Kinsey will be employed with Carilion as an RN in the oncology department.

Haley graduated from Ferrum College with a Bachelor of Science in health science on May 5, 2012. While at Ferrum, Haley played soccer and ran cross country. She traveled to Togo, Africa last summer for an internship with Projects Abroad. She recently won the Algernon Sydney Sullivan nobility of character award. Haley will continue at Liberty University working toward her master’s degree in public health with a concentration in global health.

Both girls attended Glenvar High School.

– Submitted by Tim and Tammy Runion

LewisGale Regional Health System and MedExpress Urgent Care, a healthcare provider that recently opened a full-service, walk-in urgent care center in Southwest Virginia with plans to open several more, have signed a collaborative care agreement. This agreement will ultimately provide better access to quality care for patients seeking the services of either healthcare organization.

“Patients who visit urgent care centers often need more advanced care such as referrals to specialty physicians, lab or radiology services, or even a hospital emergency room,” said Victor Giovanetti, president of LewisGale Regional Health System. “Our agreement with MedExpress will help patients receive this kind of care from our health system in an expedited manner.”

“MedExpress’ vision of providing great care and exceeding patient expectations aligns with LewisGale Regional Health System, where the patient is at the center of all decisions and relationships,” said MedExpress CEO Frank Alderman, MD. “This agreement was developed to help patients navigate the complexities of the health care system in the most convenient, seamless way possible.”

As part of this relationship, LewisGale will provide a one-call system for MedExpress patients who require a follow-up visit with their regular physician or need to be seen by a LewisGale-affiliated specialist. MedExpress values and respects each patient’s choice to health care and physician selection. Working collaboratively with LewisGale, however, allows MedExpress to efficiently facilitate additional care. For continuity of care, MedExpress will also be able to electronically transfer patient records to a LewisGale facility or a physician office.

Patients who normally see a LewisGale-affiliated physician will be encouraged to use MedExpress for their urgent care needs during evenings and weekends when their physician’s office is closed.

“We are very pleased to form this partnership with MedExpress,” said Giovanetti. “It’s a win-win for our patients who, through MedExpress, will now have access to several convenient locations and extended evening and weekend hours. With both of our organizations being committed to high-quality, compassionate care, our community will benefit significantly from this new partnership.”

MedExpress’ center in Salem is located at 1336 W. Main St. A second center is coming soon to Cave Spring and will be located at 4902 Electric Road. MedExpress centers are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

– Submitted by Joy Sutton, LewisGale Regional Health System

The Virginia Titans 15 year old basketball team won the Unites States Basketball Association State Championship over Memorial Day weekend in Richmond, VA.

We have players from the high schools of Salem, Glenvar, Alleghany, Northside, William Byrd, and William Fleming.

Local athletes include Jeremy Williams from Glenvar High School, and Isaiah Parker and Noah Carter from Salem High.*

Photo: Front row, from left: Josh Greenblatt, Daryl Williams, Myles Gunter, Will Miller. Second row: Coach Red Manly, Coach Chris Roberts, Davion Rice, Chance Hall, Isaiah Parker, Jeremy Williams, Noah Carter, Coach Don Childress, Coach Vince Parker

Submitted by Jerome Williams

 *Updated 5/31

The Salem City Council passed a $150.2 million budget for the coming fiscal year Tuesday night, and only one woman spoke at the public hearing.

But the council itself seized the moment to vent its frustration at state government for “mismanagement,” as Councilman Bill Jones put it, and passing on its problems to local governments.

“People need to realize that our state had mandated stuff on us and our employees with really no say-so for us,” Jones said.

To read the rest of the story from today’s Roanoke Times by reporter Matt Chittum, click here.

The Glenvar girls soccer team advanced to the opening round of the regionals, before falling to James River on Monday.

Do you have photos from any of the tournament action involving Salem or Glenvar? You can share at news@sosalem.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

The Virginia Board of Education this week approved proposals from Chesapeake, Fairfax County and Roanoke County to establish Governor’s STEM Academies offering rigorous academic and career and technical education programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (subjects known collectively as “STEM”).

The approval of the three new Governor’s STEM Academies — along with approval last month of an academy in Virginia Beach — brings the number of approved programs to 14, just two shy of Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s goal of doubling the number of STEM academies by the end of his term in January 2014. The newly approved academies are as follows:

• Chesapeake — Grassfield High School Governor’s STEM Academy, opening in 2012-2013, will prepare students for career pathways in engineering, technology, programming, software development and marketing.

• Fairfax County — New Commonwealth Governor’s STEM Academy at Chantilly High School and Chantilly Academy, opening in 2013-2014, will prepare students for career pathways in engineering, technology and network systems.

• Roanoke County — Governor’s STEM Academy at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology, opening in 2012-2013, will prepare students for career pathways in engineering, technology, broadcasting, and facility and mobile equipment maintenance.

“With proposals before the board in June and July to establish STEM academies in New Kent County and Richmond County, I am confident we will achieve Governor McDonnell’s goal well ahead of schedule,” Board of Education President David M. Foster said. “And in doing so, we will expand opportunities for students in these important disciplines.”

There were eight Governor’s STEM Academies when McDonnell was inaugurated in January 2010.

At its April 26, 2012, meeting, the Board of Education approved Virginia Beach’s request to establish the Governor’s STEM Academy for Engineering, Marketing, and Information Technology Studies at Landstown High School. The academy, opening in 2012-2013, will offer programs in engineering, technology, digital communications and sales and marketing.

Governor’s STEM Academies are designed to expand options for students to acquire literacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while earning industry credentials required for high-demand, high-wage and high-skill careers. Each academy represents a partnership among school divisions, postsecondary institutions and business and industry.

Submitted by Charles Pyle, Virginia Department of Education

Mark McClain shares these photos of the Greenway walking bridge under the Colorado Street bridge. He says it’s unofficially open for business, and there are more photos on the Roanoke Valley Greenways Facebook page.

Here’s a link to a So Salem story from back in March that details the construction along with some photos of the Salem City Streets Dept. pouring concrete on the elevated walkway.

– Submitted by Bonnie Mason