r/roanoke

I recently learned infant mortality rates in Roanoke are higher than both the Virginia and national average.

With Carilion being the largest employer in Roanoke, does anyone know if they are devoting specific resources or have partnered with the city to help reduce this rate?

I understand it’s a complex issue. For instance, the cost of housing plays a big part in this, and your zip code is a stronger predictor of health than your genetics.

Just curious if anyone knows more about local efforts.

Went to go buy my usual vape and the shelves are empty? Apparently there’s some big new laws in VA? What are us nicotine addicts switching to after the ban? They are only selling stuff like menthol vuses 😅 will we be able to get flavors again? I’m really confused what’s happening and can’t find a clear answer for the new laws on google

Hello my husband and I will be taking a 12 hour road trip with our 2 year old in December and Roanoke is our halfway point. We plan to stop and get out for an hour or two and give her a break from her car seat before continuing on and we’re trying to get a game plan in place as far as a place to eat and maybe if there’s any parks nearby? Trying not to stray too far from the interstate and add time/mileage so looking for recs on toddler friendly places she can just run around for a bit if there are any. Thanks in advance!

Heard a big boom about 20 minutes ago, all my neighbors came out to look. Anyone know what that was?

Hi everyone. I'm in my 30's and female. Looking to make new friends here in Roanoke. I work in mental health and I enjoy festivals, music, food, reading and true crime.

See also r/VirginiaEnvironment and r/VirginiaUrbanism

Hey guys, I am 33 and looking to get back into paintball but this time learn and play more tournament style. I'm in Roanoke, va but I'm not seeing much around or even much of a community. Anyone else around that still plays? If so, where do you go? Would love to meet some other players! Thanks.

Nearly four months later, the “pride and joy” of Virginia’s rail heritage is still sitting in Fishersville.

N&W 611 concluded its excursions nearly four months ago.

And she’s still sitting in Fishersville.

For a locomotive so often described as the crown jewel — the “pride and joy” — of Virginia’s railroad heritage, it’s becoming increasingly difficult not to ask:

What exactly is going on with 611?

No return to Roanoke. No apparent move to another operating location. Very little public explanation. Just one of the most recognizable steam locomotives in America sitting cold where the excursions ended months ago.

There are plenty of rumors floating around, but remarkably little concrete information.

So what’s the actual story?

Mechanical issues? Host railroad logistics? Money?

Negotiations? A future operating agreement that hasn’t been announced?

Or is Fishersville simply 611’s indefinite home now?

At nearly four months, it seems like a fair question:

What’s the plan for the supposed “pride and joy”?

At what point do we start asking whether the Virginia Museum of Transportation is really being a good steward of N&W 611?