roanoke.com: Southwest Virginia Starts Here

Built in a Blitz
More than 600 people gave up a beautiful weekend to help Habitat for Humanity raise six houses for Roanoke families. See photos, slide show and interactive feature.

The road to Damascus
The Virginia Creeper Trail brings tourist trade to this tiny Washington County town -- and some of the tourists end up staying. See more

The Blue Ridge Parkway: Miles, Mountains, Myths
Spanning 469 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the nation's most treasured parks. Read the stories, hear regional music and watch video of this historic byway.

Discover the Roanoke Valley ... through the eyes of its children
Forty-eight young people share their photographic impressions of the Roanoke Valley.

Smith Mountain Lake
Once rural countryside, Smith Mountain Lake's 20,000-acre waterway is now an economic engine.

Grapevines
Join Matt Chittum as he traces the roots of Roanoke's Lebanese community.
With multimedia presentation

Pittston Coal sells assets, taking with it the backbone of the economy and industry in Dickenson County.

Murder Hole: Few know this cave's deep, dark secrets
Cave's siren song

Take a ride on the Cardinal
They used to write songs about trains. Hear one written and sung by our own Ralph Berier Jr. as you view scenes from the train the runs through Clifton Forge.

Threadbare: The unraveling of Henry County
For 70 years, Martinsville and Henry County's textile industry employed one in five workers.
Slideshow | Hear more

Living gay
A four-part series looks at the life of gays of the region.

Out There Somewhere
Photographer Sam Dean and Outdoors Editor Mark Taylor embarked on a 10-day quest for outdoor fun, tackling a new outdoor adventure each day as they made their way through North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

Appalachian Trail hikers
See, hear and read about some hikers, their feet, some paws and one goal: To hike the entire Appalachian Trail.

The hammer throw has brought Spyridon Jullien to America, and he has cleared many obstacles on the way to the national meet.

Higher Education
Virginia's colleges and universities have been forced to raise tuition, cut classes and eliminate jobs.

A Tech Evolution
From sows and cows to magnetics and genetics, Virginia Tech drives to become a premier research institution, but budget cuts make it even tougher.

First women graduates of VMI
See what won Roanoke Times photographer Sam Dean the Award of Excellence in the International Pictures of the Year competition.

VMI
The 1997-98 school year marked the first time that women were admitted to Virginia Military Institute. Read more about the first class of female cadets.

Future I-73: Picking a path
UPDATED Stories, maps and photos about the proposed Interstate 73. Including the environmental impact report on I-73. Or read the I-73 study done for Roanoke.

Smart road
The link between Blacksburg and Interstate 81 that serves as a testing ground for high-tech cars and highways of the future. This site includes maps, photos and answers to frequently asked questions about the road.

Untangling Optical Cable
Bob Kopstein gambled Optical Cable Corp. stock on Wall Street and lost. Now, the corporation grapples with the fallout.

Getting battle ready
Company A departs for the first time since World War II. Read stories, watch video and see photos of the 2004 deployment and training.

National D-Day Memorial
See photos and read about the invasion and the Bedford site, dedicated June 6, 2001, that honors those who served and sacrificed. Read about the financial problems in building it.

Read ARTICLES, RECOLLECTIONS, THE INVASION
Hear and see VIDEO TOUR narrated by Bob Slaughter
Hear the SPEECHES AT THE DEDICATION

A song for heroes
Bob Slaughter comes to the aid of the National D-Day Memorial
Song

Last veterans of World War I
Seventeen men living in Western Virginia were among the last 5,000 veterans in this country in 1998 who could remember that first Armistice Day in 1918. Read their stories, hear them talk about their memories and see photos.

Roanoke Valley War Memorial
There are 755 names etched into the stark slabs. Here are stories behind some of those names.

Virginia battle flag
Take a look at the Civil War battle flag that Minnesota soldiers captured from a Virginia regiment during the Battle of Gettysburg. The flag is now in the possession of the Minnesota Historical Society; a Roanoke-based re-enactors group wants the flag back.

A noteworthy career
Ray Houser and the radio program he's hosted for almost 56 years have timeless appeal.
Listen to: Welcome | "Chowder" | Jingle

In his own words
Hear A. Byron Smith, longtime Roanoke businessman, community leader and family man, tell how he has overcome and reflect on his hard-earned wisdom.

Keeper of the lore
Listen to Frank Mills tell the stories of the Franklin County he knew growing up.

Singing soldier
National Guard member Carlos Archuleta sang the lead in "Barber of Seville."
See more | Read the story
Opera star recants military exploits:
Living a lie | Real war veterans uncover truths of 'wannabes'

Jacob Tyree's story
Salem youngster gamely balances sandlot baseball, spinal tumor. Oct 2002 update: Jacob and his family face a choice no one should have to make
Slideshow

Eko and Iko: The remarkable life of Willie Muse
The unusual brothers expected gawkers. But "he deserved respect," says a family member. Whisked away to the circus, the albino brothers born to black parents were unpaid, hawked as exotic acts. Finally, the story can be told.

Harvesting memories
'A Tobacco Farmer's Daughter'
Slideshow narrated by the author

Our survivor
A look back at Rich Valley cattle farmer Tom Buchanan's role on the "Survivor Africa" TV show, trivia, photos and the jury that did him in.

Time for a shoe shine: Despite the lack of business, a few Roanoke men still wait proudly beside their shine benches for the occasional customer.

Tradition with a twist
A Roanoke restaurateur rented a bus to New York City so loyal friends and diners could share his son's wedding day. Slideshow

Spring wildflowers
The columbine is on our minds / Now that spring is here; / Those blossoms drooping from their stalks / Could be a hound dog's ears.

Singing Valentines: Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers sing some joy on Valentine's Day.

Calling all muggles!
Check out the winners of our Harry Potter look-a-like contest. These fans of the boy wonder give an exclusive kid review of the movie.

Deadheads in Roanoke
The Other Ones opened their tour in Roanoke Nov. 14, 2002. Read the reviews, with lots of photos.