Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Salem’s first VetFest helped Roanoke Valley veterans get enrolled
Happening soon: Hill City Howlers at Salem RidgeYaks on the Roanoke Patch calendar
Hey there, Roanoke! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Salem's first VetFest helped Roanoke Valley veterans get enrolled
- Roanoke study suggests a common lung pattern may hide deeper problems
- How Dolly Parton left her mark on Roanoke and western Virginia
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Roanoke Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Roanoke Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Roanoke. 
- Monday: Fog in the morning; sunshine, with a high of 92 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 94, low: 73.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and very hot, with a high of 97 and low of 72 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Salem VA hosts first VetFest to boost veteran enrollment (wdbj7.com) — Veterans in the Roanoke Valley had a one‑stop chance to enroll in VA health care, schedule appointments, and file benefit claims at the Salem VA Health Care System's first VetFest. More than 250 veterans were served and over 50 newly enrolled, as organizers emphasized making it easy and welcoming for eligible service members to access the benefits they've earned. 
• Application of the Forced Oscillation Technique in Patients With Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry (cureus.com) — Pulmonary specialists at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke studied 20 adults with preserved ratio impaired spirometry and found more than half had abnormal forced oscillation test results, suggesting hidden large- and small-airway problems. Because these abnormalities appeared even in nonsmokers and people with normal body weight, the authors argue Roanoke-area patients with PRISm may need deeper evaluation and that FOT could complement standard lung tests.
• WDBJ7 Archive: Remembering Dolly Parton and her ties to western Virginia (wdbj7.com) — Dolly Parton's long career included memorable ties to Roanoke, from a 1990 Easter performance with Kenny Rogers at the Roanoke Civic Center to a Tanglewood Mall look‑alike contest and later interviews with WDBJ7. The piece also highlights her philanthropy, including vaccine funding, disaster relief, and her Imagination Library's impact on western Virginia families and students.
📸 Around Roanoke
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Hill City Howlers at Salem RidgeYaks →
Salem Stadium, 1008 Texas St, Salem
2:05 pm
Sunday September 6
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Audit Committee Meeting →
Roanoke City Council Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building - 215 Church Ave. SW Roanoke VA
4:00 pm - 2026 ConnectHER Conference Presented By: Branch
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce 210 S Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA 24011
8:00 am - City Planning Commission: Work Session →
Roanoke, VA Calendar, 215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke
12:00 pm - First Fridays at Five →
Roanoke City Special Events Franklin Road between Williamson and Jefferson - Roanoke
5:00 pm - Roanoke Labor Day Parade →
Roanoke City Special Events Campbell Avenue SW between 3rd
12:00 pm - Remember The Times 90s and 2000s Party in the Park
Roanoke City Special Events Elmwood Park - 706 S Jefferson St. Roanoke VA 24011
4:00 pm - Music on the Mountain
Roanoke City Special Events Mill Mountain Discovery Center - Roanoke VA 24011
5:00 pm - Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
Belk, 4308 Electric Rd, Roanoke
10:00 am - Night Owl on the Town 2026 →
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke, 5985 Coleman Rd, Roanoke
6:00 pm
Wednesday September 2
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
Sunday September 6
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
📣 Roanoke Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Senior Programs Mexican Train Dominos →
Vinton, VA Calendar, 820 E. Washington Ave, Vinton
9:45 am - Senior Programs Monday Music Jam →
Vinton, VA Calendar, 820 E. Washington Ave, Vinton
2:00 pm - Senior Programs Tai Chi Cane Defense →
Vinton, VA Calendar, 820 E. Washington Ave, Vinton
5:30 pm - Senior Programs Intermediate Line Dancing →
Vinton, VA Calendar, 820 E. Washington Ave, Vinton
10:00 am
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Roanoke PatchAM possible:
- AARP Virginia — (866) 542-8164
- techtronics world — (540) 529-5829
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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🪧 Patch Classifieds
- We bring experiences to your backyard.
We're local, here to connect you to what matters most. We offer free events and enriching experiences that can help with finances, family and fun.... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Controlled Contamination Services posted a job opening for Janitor in Roanoke. Apply here.
- Phoenix Global posted a job opening for Loader Operator in Roanoke. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Roanoke here.
🗞 Nearby News
Cave Spring
- William Byrd rallies past Cave Spring for 20-14 rivalry win (wsls.com)
Salem
- Salem (genius.com)
- Kendall Street Company Launches Cosmic Concept Album 'Yodeling Astroman' With Lead Single 'Don't Wanna Be Gone' (liveforlivemusic.com)
- WARBIRDS WATCH: Wilson eliminated from Carolina League playo... (wilsontimes.com)
Ok Roanoke! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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