We’re thrilled to formally launch the long-awaited, redesigned roanoke.com.

A small army of folks across The Roanoke Times have worked together for about a year to make our ideas — based on your input — a reality.

What are the biggest changes you might immediately notice?

Besides our blue color scheme (which is explained in the video above), you’ll notice new navigation designed to help get you around the site faster, along with a greater emphasis on visuals. From our “center four” carousel of photos on the home page to larger photos in stories to more prominent video content and photo galleries, we intend to showcase our multimedia and what we love about Southwest Virginia.

WikiMedia Commons

While we’re oooohing and ahhhing about the slick visuals, please keep in mind the site is still in beta mode, meaning you might stumble across some construction zones. Don’t be surprised by occasional glitches or sections with little content. This is a work in progress.

Along the way, we’ll still want your feedback. Some readers have already asked about the readability of the font, offered navigation ideas and wondered what will happen to PlateUp (you’ll find that content under Living/Food). You can report problems, ask questions, offer comments and see what other users are saying using this dandy feedback tool.

As mentioned above, this brief video will walk you through some of the new features, too.

Enjoy!

The Roanoke Times/roanoke.com is looking for a hands-on controller to join our team. This is a key management position, working closely with the CFO and other department managers. The primary responsibilities include management of all the accounting functions, reporting and analysis, and compliance and audit.

Learn how to apply (and find more Roanoke Times career opportunities) on jobs.roanoke.com.

Jamey Singleton

Top 5 stories on roanoke.com (Feb. 16-22)

1. TV meteorologist ‘alert and communicating’ after morning wreck, Singleton’s family says

2. 2 teen runaways who left Franklin County found in N.C.

3. WSET meteorologist Jamey Singleton injured in crash

4. Shooting victims ran Penhook Boat Dock

5. 2 Franklin County women charged in murder-for-hire scheme

___________________________________________________________________________________

BLOGS
This week’s top 5 blogs (Feb. 16-22)

1. Kevin Myatt’s Weather Journal

2. Andy Bitter’s VT football

3. Columnist Dan Casey

4. Amanda Codispoti’s Storefront

5. Lindsey Nair’s Fridge Magnet

Find all of our blogs here.

___________________________________________________________________________________

COMMUNITY BLOGS
This week’s (Feb. 16-22) top community blog stories.

1. SoSalem.com: Best Of Salem reader poll ballot

2. TheBurgs.com: New River Valley doctor’s care ‘inappropriate,’ expert witness says

3. SWoCo.com: Best of SWoCo reader poll ballot

4. BotetourtView.com: Best of Botetourt reader poll ballot

___________________________________________________________________________________

FACEBOOK
This week’s (Feb. 16-22) most talked-about posts on the Roanoke Times Facebook wall.

1. 2 teen runaways who left Franklin County found in N.C.

2. TV meteorologist ‘alert and communicating’ after morning wreck, Singleton’s family says

3. Singleton charged with reckless driving in Tuesday crash

Look for our three-day special report, “Making It Click: Lives on the Line,” which begins Sunday, Feb. 24.

Reporter Jeff Sturgeon (@SturgeonRT) spoke with public radio station WVTF (89.1 FM) about the series earlier this week. Find highlights from his interview here.

Video: Watch our series trailer

Reporter Jeff Sturgeon

To summarize:

Nearly 1,700 unbelted Virginians have died in vehicle wrecks in the past five years.

But 600 — maybe 700 — could have lived.

How?

By committing the simple act of fastening their seat belt — and following the law.

So many of us do belt nowadays — nearly 82 percent in our state, on average. But the message isn’t getting through to everyone, especially in rural Virginia, where in some communities up to three-fourths of traffic fatalities involved unbelted drivers or passengers.

In this Roanoke Times/roanoke.com special report, we explore why the disparities exist. We also retrace failed efforts to strengthen Virginia’s seat belt law and look at new initiatives to educate young drivers.

This week, we reviewed the 1906 Ale House that opened in the former Isaacs Mediterranean restaurant space in Grandin Village. Where did the 1906 come from?

Take the quiz below (and if it looks funky, you can always access it directly here.)

Kirsten McGhee, 49, and her husband, David McGhee, 52, of Roanoke, chat with manager Crozier Draper as they enjoy the 21st Amendment IPA beer with their lunch at the 1906 Ale House. Photo by Stephanie Klein-Davis | The Roanoke Times

Look for our three-day special report, “Making It Click: Lives on the Line,” which begins Sunday, Feb. 24.

Nearly 1,700 unbelted Virginians have died in vehicle wrecks in the past five years.

But 600 — maybe 700 — could have lived.

How?

By committing the simple act of fastening their seat belt — and following the law.

So many of us do belt nowadays — nearly 82 percent in our state, on average. But the message isn’t getting through to everyone, especially in rural Virginia, where in some communities up to three-fourths of traffic fatalities involved unbelted drivers or passengers.

In this Roanoke Times/roanoke.com special report, we explore why the disparities exist. We also retrace failed efforts to strengthen Virginia’s seat belt law and look at new initiatives to educate young drivers.

Tom Landon

A quick introduction to our new What’s on Your Mind columnist and blogger Tom Landon. His column will publish every Monday and you can read the first one here.

Tom came to the Roanoke Valley from Indiana almost 30 years ago and stayed after falling in love with Roanoke and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

He’s worked in education and television, including stints at William Fleming High School and as a producer for Blue Ridge PBS, and currently teaches AP Human Geography online for Virtual Virginia and works on documentary films in his spare time.

Tom is married to Roanoke Times reporter Beth Macy, who is currently on a leave while writing a book, and has two teenage sons.

Have a question for Tom? Send an email to whatsonyourmind@roanoke.com. (Please provide your full name and your hometown).

You can also leave a question or make a comment here on his blog.

Top 5 stories on roanoke.com (Feb. 9-15)

1. Weather Journal blog: 2 mild days ahead despite ‘cold’ front

2. Weather Journal blog: Rainy by Sunday PM; some snow potential midweek

3. Weather Journal blog: Lack of low-level cold air may inhibit Wednesday snow

4. Weather Journal blog: Light rain, maybe some mix, on Wednesday

5. Franklin County’s ‘King of Moonshiners’ opens up

______________________________________________________________________

BLOGS
This week’s top 5 blogs (Feb. 9-15)

1. Kevin Myatt’s Weather Journal

2. Andy Bitter’s VT football

3. Columnist Dan Casey

4. Amanda Codispoti’s Storefront

5. Mark Taylor’s Wild Life

Find all of our blogs here.

______________________________________________________________________

COMMUNITY BLOGS
This week’s (Feb. 9-15) top community blog stories.

1. SoSalem.com: Best Of Salem reader poll ballot

2. BotetourtView.com: Best of Botetourt reader poll ballot

3. TheBurgs.com: Opinion: A fresh vision for downtown Christiansburg

4. SWoCo.com: Best of SWoCo reader poll ballot

______________________________________________________________________

The Steak ‘n Shake at Crossroads Mall is expected to open in early March. Photo by Amanda Codispoti

FACEBOOK
This week’s (Feb. 9-15) most talked-about posts on the Roanoke Times Facebook wall.

1. Roanoke’s Steak ‘n Shake headed for a March opening

2. Styx, REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent coming to Roanoke

3. Senate passes bill to keep concealed handgun records secret

Photo by Stephanie Klein-Davis | The Roanoke Times

Peyton, an English springer spaniel bred by a Bedford County couple, placed third for the second year in a row in the sporting group during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York this week. Peyton is also known as Wynmoor Champagne Supernova. Can you name the 1990s rock band that wrote the song “Champagne Supernova”? Take the quiz below …

First-place winner: Gretchen Lewis of Roanoke, who had lost touch with her Valentine, Kelly, for 13 years before reconnecting again.

Congratulations to the winning couples in our “My Valentine” photo essay contest. We received 48 submissions, and the winners were chosen by popular vote.

The first-place winner, Gretchen Lewis and her Valentine Kelly, received a 14-karat chocolate diamond ring provided by contest sponsor Henebry’s Jewelers. Here’s a fun fact: Their friendship grew while watching “Jeopardy!” every evening.

Find all of our winners (and their inspiring stories) here, and read all 48 photo essay entries here.

Thanks for entering … and voting!