The Headquarters/419 Library has photos of the South County Library progress from this past fall.

Check them out in the slideshow above.

I drove up to the Star to take pictures, very pretty. The Franklin Rd. Parkway entrance was barricaded so I took the back way and had no problems with my car.

Submitted by Loren Wright

The Roanoke County Public Library offers computer classes to the public.  Due to space restrictions, registration is required.

HQ/419 Library
772-7507

January Computer Classes
$10 charge per class

Email I
Tuesday, January 25
1:30-3:30 PM
class description

Email II
Wednesday, January 26
1:30-3:30 PM
class description

Google Your World
Thursday, January 27
1:30-3:30 PM
class description

February Computer Classes
$10 charge per class

Search the Ancestry Website
Tuesday, February 22
1:30-3:30 PM
class description

Genealogy from Home
Wednesday, February 23
1:30-3:30 PM
class description

Keyboard and Mouse
Thursday, February 24
1:30-3:30 PM
class description

Bertha Grubb, of Southwest Roanoke County, just turned 93 and within the last few months, she also retired from Goodwill Industries in the Cave Spring area.

She worked with Goodwill for about nine years and according to Vice President of Marketing and Development, Jim Shaver, Grubb was instrumental in getting the Cave Spring Goodwill started.

Shaver also said that Grubb was the only original employee of that particular Goodwill still employed.

On Tuesday, Dec. 21 the employees of Goodwill surprised Grubb with a party dedicated to her years of service and retirement. Grubb thought she was just coming in for the Christmas party, which was also held on Tuesday.

When asked if she was surprised Grubb said, “Very much so.”

Her daughter, Linda Grubb, granddaughter, Amanda Grubb (a CSHS graduate), and her brother, Gene Bohon also attended the event.

“I enjoyed working the years I have,” Grubb said. “The people here are nice.”

Elena DeRosa sent us more photos, this time of the snow and Christmas decorations at her home. Check them out and be sure to share your own photos with SWoCo by emailing us at news@swo-co.com.

Dennis Hancock, Jr.

The Roanoke County Police Department is seeking assistance in locating Dennis Hancock Jr.  Mr. Hancock is a white male, 39 years of age, 5’4″, 150 pounds,  with brown eyes and brown hair.  Mr. Hancock left Hollins Manor Assisted Living Center on December 14, 2010 and was later reported as a missing person by his mother.  Mr. Hancock has been entered into NCIC/VCIN as a missing person.  Mr. Hancock suffers from a medical condition and does not have his medication. Anyone with any information on Mr. Hancock’s location can contact the Roanoke County Police Department at (540)562-3265.

Submitted by Officer Rick Crosier, Crime Prevention Specialist, Roanoke County Police.

December 27, 2010 (ROANOKE COUNTY) — Fire investigators have determined the fire that destroyed a three-car garage in the Back Creek area of Roanoke County this morning was accidental in nature. An exact cause was not able to be determined due to the severe heat and damage of the fire.

The 24 by 30 foot garage was located about 25 feet away from the home. It had been burning for awhile before neighbors and the owner called 9-1-1 to report the fire after hearing a loud “popping noise”, likely from aerosol containers.

A man and his young grandson were home at the time of the fire and evacuated the home without injury. A woman also lived in the home but was away when the fire broke out.

The garage and its contents, including a 2007 Chevrolet Truck, were destroyed. Damage estimates are figured to be at least $100,000.

Submitted by Jennifer Sexton, Roanoke County Fire & Rescue

ROANOKE COUNTY, VA (December 27, 2010) – The wife of Roanoke County Police Officer Adam Childress wants to thank everyone for their unwavering support and compassion during her husband’s illness. Keesha Childress says the community wrapped its arms around her family early on and continues to stand by their side.

Officer Childress was laid to rest this afternoon after battling cancer for more than a year. He was 27 years old. Survivors include his wife, Keesha, and their daughter, Madison. After today’s service, Keesha asked that the following statement be released to the public and media on her behalf.

“Adam fought courageously for 15 months before going home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 22. I sincerely appreciate the outpouring of concern, support and prayers that we have received during this difficult time. Adam and I were deeply touched by the compassion received from family, friends and the community. Thank you to everyone who has helped our family cope with the tremendous loss we have suffered.”

Submitted by Teresa Hall, Public Information Director, Roanoke County.

Laura L. Neff-Henderson, APR has been hired as the new Development Coordinator at the Greater Blue Ridge Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She began her position at JDRF on Dec. 20, 2010.
“I love everything that the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation stands for – finding a cure for diabetes – and I consider it an honor to be part of an organization that is truly making a difference in the lives of families across the world,” said Neff-Henderson. “The Greater Blue Ridge chapter contributes to the funding of research that will lead to a cure for this devastating disease. Our chapter raised more than $1 million dollars this year thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our donors and volunteers.”
Neff-Henderson most recently worked as the Director of Communications & Public Relations at North Cross School, in Roanoke, VA.  Prior to moving to the Roanoke area, she worked as the Public Relations Specialist for Arlington Public Schools, in Arlington, VA from 2004 – 2006. She has also experience as a newspaper reporter and designer and worked as the Public Information Officer/Special Assistant to the Superintendent for Petersburg Public Schools in Petersburg, Va., from August 2002 – January 2004.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and public relations from Radford University and a master’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 2008 and she is currently the President of the Blue Ridge Chapter of PRSA.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide.  The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Submitted by Laura Neff-Henderson

Elena DeRosa took her family to New York, where she is originally from to visit the sites prior to the Christmas rush. These are photos from their trip to Manhattan and Brooklyn. Some of the photos were taken in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn

Photos were taken by DeRosa and Marie Elena Aprile.

Send us your photos by emailing us at news@swo-co.com