We asked people what they think about the new roundabout. Here’s the latest response:

We live near the new roundabout at Colonial and Penn Forest Boulevard and think it is a most wonderful improvement. If people would just observe the signs, it clearly shows a “yield” sign at entering and after that you have the right of way. Still I have seem folks come down Colonial towards 221 and never even look at the ” yield” sign, so you have to be careful. Previously there was a huge traffic back up on Penn Forest Blvd, and sometimes you had to wait, wait, wait. Also, as a walker at OIB, we really enjoyed it.

Robert Johnson

Got something to say about the roundabout? You can leave a comment below or email us at news@swo-co.com.

MORE ON THE ROUNDABOUT
* Geetu Sarkar on the roundabout
* Jim Robinette offers proposal on the roundabout
* Maria Roman’s thoughts on the roundabout
* Our online game to help you navigate a roundabout

Three Roanoke Star soccer teams recently competed in Europe, and many players from Southwest Roanoke County were involved.

We ran an earlier account along with rosters on July 21.

Now, here’s an account of the trip from the Roanoke Star: Read more »

Are the end-of-summer doldrums getting you down?  Roanoke County Parks has a huge variety of programs and special events to keep you busy as fall approaches.  This Saturday, July, 31 join us from 10am to 3pm at Green Hill park for our second annual Touch-a-Truck event! Bring the kids to interact with over 160 unique cars, trucks, boats, planes and helicopters all in one place. This the largest event of it’s kind in the Southeast U.S.  Next, mark your calendar for a night of Shakespeare under the stars as we continue our Summer Stock Dinner Theater series at Valhalla Vinyard on August 21.  Finally, celebrate Grandparents Day with us September 21 at Tanglewood Mall from 1pm to 6pm.  We’re having a Sock Hop to celebrate decades gone by, with music, dancing, food and more.

Haven’t been to Splash Valley yet?  You have one more month to enjoy the area’s most exciting aquatics attraction.  New this week, purchase a Weekday Fun Pass and save money off your admissions.   Don’t forget to look for our new program guide at the end of August.  Fall program registration begins on Tuesday, September 7. (The day after Labor Day)  There are still many summer session programs still available for registration.  A few of them are listed below: Read more »

Bruse Boteler shared this article about Laura Dodson, graduate of Cave Spring HS and in her first year at Roanoke College on the tennis team.

by: Brad Moore, Director of Athletic Communications

FERRUM, Va. — Freshman Laura Dodson (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring)was named Second-Team All-State by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) announced this morning. She is the first women’s tennis player at Roanoke to be named VaSID All-State.     Dodson, an ODAC Player of the Week earlier this season, took home Second-Team All-ODAC honors in #1 singles after going 12-4 on the season, 7-3 in ODAC play. She also earned second-team honors in #1 doubles with Corbin, as the freshman duo went 12-4 overall, 8-2 in conference play.   The Maroons finished 10-6 on the season, 7-3 in conference play which secured a third-seed in the ODAC Tournament. The women posted records of 5-1 at home while 4-2 on the road. The 10 wins are the most since the 2007 season.   VaSID was formed in 1983, and is comprised of sports information professionals from NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and independent institutions from the state of Virginia. The purpose of the organization is to promote college athletics at all four-year institutions.

Submitted by Bruse Boteler

Article courtesy of Roanoke College

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue is deeply saddened by the tragic line of duty deaths of Chief Dillon and Firefighter Altice of Rocky Mount.

Soon after the deadly accident, Roanoke County Fire & Rescue representatives have been providing the necessary guidance and support to the families and locality of the fallen firefighters to assist with the countless variables of a line of duty death funeral.

Roanoke County will be providing two fire engines with teams of four personnel on each to cover two Franklin County Fire Department stations during Friday’s funeral services. Also, the County has three specially trained representatives who will serve on the honor guard servicing both funerals. Additionally, a number of honor guard representatives from out of town will be staying overnight at two County stations.

Furthermore, apparatus and personnel from several Roanoke County Fire & Rescue volunteer organizations will attend the funeral representing the Roanoke County.

Submitted by Roanoke County Fire and Rescue

The Roanoke Post 3 American Legion senior baseball team finished 2nd in the
District 9 tournament on Monday, July 19, losing to Lynchburg Post 16 by a score of 13-8 Tuesday in  the championship game played at Salem Memorial Stadium. Roanoke Post 3 survived  a long path through the loser’s bracket of the five-day tournament, posting a  5-2 record, and eliminated the #1, #2, and #3 seeded teams from the tournament  on their way to the championship game. Roanoke Post 3 had an overall record for  the summer of 11-8.

The team consists of players from several local schools:  Hidden Valley HS: Camden Hodge, Alex Liechty, Mitch McClure, Austin Gregory,  Cory Smith, Sean Kidd, Drew Trampe and Hayden Smith; Cave Spring HS: Nathan  Wimmer, Steven Koll, Luke Munson, Brian Kluge, Steve Klaiber and Graham  Harkey;  North Cross School: Craig Hoelzer, Fuller Clark and Sam Lawrence;  Patrick Henry HS: Aaron Burton. Coaches are Scott Smith, Keith Hoelzer, Mark  Kidd and Eric Lawrence.

Submitted by: Rosetta Wimmer

SALEM, VA– The following local students were named to the dean’s list of distinguished students for the spring 2010 semester at Roanoke College:

From Bent Mountain:

Alea Nicole Bier, daughter of Richard and Rebecca Bier and a graduate of Cave Spring High School;

Laura Jean Pope, daughter of Lynn Pope and a graduate of Cave Spring High School.

From Roanoke:

Zachary Reese Barrett, son of Ralph and Robin Barrett and a graduate of Hidden Valley High School;

Jared Andrew Branin, graduate of Cave Spring High School;

Rachal Michelle Crum, daughter of Timothy and Katherine Crum and a graduate of Cave Spring High School;

Michael Vincent Kluge, son of Keith and Jacqueline Kluge and a graduate of Cave Spring High School;

Marko Krkeljas, son of Zeljko and Ruzica Krkeljas and a graduate of Hidden Valley High School;

Kelsey Leeann Largen, daughter of James and Judy Largen and a graduate of Cave Spring High School;

Maria Alexandra Levitov, daughter of Irina A. Levitov and Alexandar B. Levitov and a graduate of Hidden Valley High School;

David Pierce Mason, graduate of Cave Spring High School;

Colleen Blynn McCarthy, graduate of Cave Spring High School;

Keith Thomas McHugh, son of Patrick and Lynn McHugh and a graduate of Hidden Valley High School;

Evelina Dimitrova Pranarova, daughter of Dimitre and Dtoyka Pranarova and a graduate of Patrick Henry High School;

Amory Jason Ronquillo, graduate of Cave Spring High School;

Jonathan Edward Thumas, son of Linda B. Thumas and a graduate of Hidden Valley High School;

Jessica Nicole Welfare, daughter of Lavonia Welfare and a graduate of Hidden Valley High School.

Amy Lauren Woodson, daughter of Andrew and Priscilla Woodson and a graduate of Hidden Valley High School.

Roanoke College, an independent, co-educational, four-year liberal arts college in Salem, Virginia, combines firsthand learning with valuable personal connections in a classic, undergraduate setting. Roanoke prepares students for their futures through its commitment to providing a true classic college experience. Roanoke is one of just 280 colleges nationwide with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. The Princeton Review names Roanoke as one of the “best in the Southeast.”

Here are some “in the moment” shots of Cave Spring’s Louisa Britt as she stars as Eliza Doolittle in Attic Productions’ “My Fair Lady”.

Check out a previous story by intern Zack Irby on Louisa Britt here:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/swoco/2010/07/28/louisa-britt-of-cave-spring-stars-in-show-in-botetourt-county/

Photos by: Sue Huntington

–Zack Irby, Summer Intern for SwoCo

Pizzazz Star City Twirlers are now accepting new members for their Fall Program.

All levels of instruction are available for girls ages 4 and up.

Classes are held at Cave Spring Baptist Church.

Need based scholarship available.

For information contact Joan Duus at 540-537-2960 or duus@cox.net

Pizzazz Star City Twirlers under the direction of Joan Duus and assisted by Marie Freeman Won Big in both the NBTA Miss Majorette of Virginia Competition held in Hampton in May and the NBTA Virginia State Championships held in Richmond in June.

Pizzazz had Winners in five of the seven categories they competed in at the Miss Majorette Competition, 3 girls qualified for the Miss Majorette of America Competition held July 20th through the 23rd at the University of Notre Dame.

Girls winning their pageants were: Read more »