News Flash

The Bonsack Fire and Rescue Station is celebrating one year of service since officially opening on January 14, 2025.

Located along the 460 corridor, Bonsack is one of the fastest growing areas in the county. Prior to the station being built, most of the calls in the Bonsack area were answered by the Vinton station with an average response time of eight minutes. The response time is now four minutes.

“Through demands it was identified that Roanoke County needed a station in the Bonsack area, so that’s what kind of spurred the idea and got it going to get us here today,” Chief Travis Griffith said.

>>Watch the video on YouTube

The biggest thing that sets the Bonsack station apart from others is the split bay design. This separates the living quarters from the fire and rescue gear, which helps prevent toxins that may be on equipment from coming into the living spaces.

There are also several features in place to help remove carcinogens from the environment including a special washer for gear and air filtration systems in the gear room and bays.

The investment into the new station went beyond just the building – it included a significant investment in personnel and equipment. Roanoke County hired and trained 18 new firefighters and bought a new fire truck and ambulance for the station. The three crews that work the station have a minimum of five people working at a time with a mix of veteran firefighters and the newly trained staff.

“It shows what the county wants to do for the citizens and the businesses, you know, public safety is a priority … they don’t just say it, they do it.” Chief Griffith said.

Fire stations remain a priority for the Board of Supervisors as they look to update aging stations. As part of the capital improvement program, money has been allocated for renovations of seven fire and rescue stations in Roanoke County over the next ten years. Planning work has already begun on the Hollins Fire and Rescue Station, which originally opened in 1981. Just over five million dollars has been allocated for renovations to the station for this year which will include integrating the split bay design.

Want to get ‘BINGO’ this year in Roanoke County?

Check out our card! From parks and libraries to public safety – we asked folks from across our departments what they’d put on a Roanoke County Bingo card.

Here are our tips on how to complete a black-out Bingo.

Take recycling to a drop-off location

Find a list of all the drop-off locations here!

Watch the RVTV Adopt-A-Bowl

The Adopt-A-Bowl features pups from the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection facing off against Angel’s of Assisi. This year’s event will go live on February 8, but you can watch last year’s showdown here.

Eat at a new restaurant

It doesn’t have to be a newly opened restaurant, it just has to be new to you! Here are two places that you may not have checked out yet:

• Greco’s Pizza
• Hanging Rock Tavern

Enjoy the blooms at Happy Hollow

This park is a hidden gem in Roanoke County with a beautiful azalea bush trail that usually blooms in mid-to-late April.

Attend a community meeting

Our administration and planning department host regular community meetings. Keep an eye on our website for upcoming events. We’ll also count a Board of Supervisors Meeting – you can find the dates for all of those here.

Get a library card

You can stop by any library to get a card. Here’s what you need to bring.

Explore a new section of the greenway

This can be another new-to-you option. But if you’re looking for a new section, a portion of the West Roanoke River Greenway near Salem opened last year with a new parking lot at 2304 W Riverside Drive, Salem. Later this year, a section of greenway will open near Explore Park.

You can check out all the Roanoke Valley Greenways here.

Check out a Tavern Stage concert

Bring your lawn chair and enjoy food and drinks from Twin Creeks Brewpub at a free summer concert. Keep an eye on this page for the 2026 dates and bands to be announced later this year.

Go to an event hosted by Public Safety

The Police Department, Fire and Rescue, and the Sheriff’s Office host events throughout the year including the Egg-Stravaganza and Trunk-or-Treat. Keep an eye on their Facebook pages for upcoming events.

Take a photo with the LOVE sign

If you’re out at Explore Park for a concert, a bike ride or anything in between, stop by the visitor’s center and get a photo with Roanoke County’s LOVE sign.

Say ‘hi’ to your garbage collector

Our solid waste crews work hard to collect trash across the county, so say ‘hello’ or give them a wave the next time they come down your street!

Hike part of the Appalachian Trail

There are two major AT hikes in Roanoke County – McAfee Knob and Dragon’s Tooth. If you want a shorter hike, check out Sawtooth Ridge.

Drive or bike on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The parkway winds through parts of the county with great places to stop and have a picnic. Check here for road closures, especially in the winter and after severe weather.

Learn how to use a fire extinguisher

Learning to use a fire extinguisher is a great way to keep your home and family safe. Want information on how to learn? Reach out to our Fire and Rescue Community Outreach Coordinator Laura Schneider at LSCHNEIDER@roanokecountyva.gov. 

Have a picnic at a park

Find a list of all the parks in Roanoke County here!

Participate in the Storm Drain Stenciling Program

This program is a great volunteer opportunity for scouts, neighborhood associations or even just a group of friends! You can find more information about the program and more ways to get involved here.

Check out an Adventure Dog from RCACP

The RCACP’s Roanoke Adventure Dogs program allows members of the community to take adoptable dogs out on offsite, day-long field trips. Find more information about the program here.

Visit a Little Free Library

There are plenty of Little Free Libraries around the county, including in many of our parks.

Check out a small business

Whether it’s holiday shopping or a cup of coffee, there are a lot of great small businesses around Roanoke County to explore.

Make sure your house numbers are visible

This is another recommendation from our public safety crew. In case of emergencies, it’s crucial to have your house number clearly marked so fire trucks or ambulances can easily find your house!

Meet a police officer or firefighter

This one will be easy if you go to a public safety event! Even if you don’t, there are plenty of opportunities to do station tours or say hello to the officer at the Administration Building during tax season.

Join the Summer Reading Program

Keep an eye on the library’s Facebook and Instagram pages for information on the Summer Reading Program – it’s open to adults and children to participate.

Watch a video on our YouTube channel

Did you know we have a YouTube channel? Check it out (and subscribe of course!)

Participate in a Parks and Recreation program

Throughout the year, there are plenty of classes and programs hosted by Parks and Rec. You can check out their current RecLife brochure or follow them on Facebook to see upcoming events.

Families are invited to lace up their reading skills this winter and score a free hockey experience through the Winter Reading Challenge. Children who complete the challenge will earn a free children’s ticket to see the Rail Yard Dawgs play on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The Winter Reading Challenge runs January 5 through February 14 and is open to children up to age 11.

• Children up to age 5 complete the challenge by reading 20 books.

• Children ages 6–11 complete the challenge by reading 5 books.

All book formats and lengths count.Each child who completes the challenge will receive a small prize and one complimentary ticket to the March 7 Rail Yard Dawgs game. Tickets are valid in select seating sections and must be redeemed using a QR code provided upon completion. Tickets cannot be redeemed through the box office or team websites.

Families may also purchase additional discounted tickets for parents or guests using the same QR code. Parking is available for purchase, and a free shuttle will run from the Elmwood Park Garage in downtown Roanoke for those who prefer not to drive.

In addition to completion prizes, each participating branch will award special branch prizes to one child in each age group following the conclusion of the challenge based on drawings.Ages 0-5: Board Book version of The Mitten by Jan Brett & matching flannel story (flannel pieces & felt board).Ages 6-11: Don't Break the Ice board game & Penguin Plush

The Winter Reading Challenge is designed to encourage reading for fun while giving families a memorable community experience. For more information, families are encouraged to contact their favorite RCPL location.

Board of Supervisors meetings and agendas can be viewed online on our Meetings and Videos page. 

If a Board of Supervisors meeting is in progress, select the "LIVE MEETING" link at the top of the page to stream the meeting on your computer, tablet or phone. You can also view past meetings from this page by selecting the Video link to the right of any past Board of Supervisors meeting date. For past meetings, you can select an agenda item and fast-forward to the video of that item.

For more information, contact the Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.

Standing in front of the Roanoke County Administration Building with a can of spray paint definitely felt like I was doing something illegal, but as part of our storm drain stenciling program, it’s actually community service.

Storm drains flow directly into our streams and rivers without being treated. This means that dog poop that’s not picked up, oil that leaks from a car and excess salt applied to icy steps will find its way to our waterways after rain.

I joined Rachel, our GIS storm drain expert, to paint some storm drains to remind everyone – only rain down the drain!

The safety cones and yellow vest made it feel official as we painted two drains near the front and back entrance of the administration parking lot.

Watch the video on YouTube.

Painting the drains itself was quick and easy. The stormwater team provides you with everything you need including a map (made by Rachel!) of all the drains in the area you can paint.

Rachel had never been on the participant side of the program so she and I each painted a drain for the experience! Now anytime someone parks near the entrance to participate in a board meeting or pay their taxes, they’ll be reminded that the drains empty directly into our waterways.

If you’re interested in getting involved it’s a great volunteer opportunity for scouts, neighborhood associations or even just a group of friends! You can find more information about the program and more ways to get involved here.

Em Poertner is Roanoke County's Public Information Specialist. She hosts the Out of the Office podcast and Roam RoCo video series. If you have ideas for something to explore around Roanoke County, email her at epoertner@roanokecountyva.gov.