WSLS 10 anchors Jenna Zibton and John Appicello demonstrate how to qualify for prizes in the Blue Ridge Games in under an hour.

If you watch 10 News, you probably recognize Lindsey Kennett! Lindsey joined the 10 News team in February 2019.

We're breaking down the best commercials of 2024.

While you’re out there making long-lasting memories, snap a selfie, picture, or video, and be sure to send it our way via Pin It as long as it is safe to do so. Now your favorite moments can be featured on TV, too!

Virginia Today team goes shopping for Angel Tree gifts

Safety expert Chris Ragone sits down with Virginia Today on the weekend to make sure people know what to do to make sure they are safe for the holidays.

Virginia Today at 6 was moved online Monday morning due to NBC New’s coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Patches of dense fog have developed in the Roanoke Valley, Lynchburg area and Southside

The Virginia Today team had a lot of fun giving out free stuff and meeting so many of you

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Video outside Sycamore Baptist Church shows the moment a fireball entered the earth's atmosphere Wednesday night

Jane Clark captures a lone downpour from Purgatory Mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway

WSLS 10 Meteorologist Chris Michaels and Daytime Blue Ridge’s Chase Parker go head-to-head in a dad joke-off.

Photo Credit: Carlito Essex - February in Wintergreen, VA

Thanks to Freddie Hodges for today’s picture of the day of fireworks in Smith Mountain Lake.

Happy Monday and welcome to another edition of Beyond The Forecast!

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – The Orange Bandana, an online gift service based in the New River Valley, is hoping to make your holiday shopping a little easier. For example, since people are staying in more The Orange Bandana created gourmet pizza and ice cream sundae kits as a gift for a family to share together. We missed National Ice Cream Sundae Day earlier this week, but you don't have to miss eating the ice cream sundaes! ... Posted by The Orange Bandana on Monday, November 16, 2020Orange Bandana creates gifts for all occasions and can do custom company gifts. For personal Christmas gifts that need them shipped it has to be ordered before Dec. 18.

SALEM, Va. – This week you can see the spectacular displays built with gingerbread, holiday cheer and a lot of creativity from artists hoping to win the Salem Gingerbread Festival. The main event, the Gingerbread Festival, is on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Longwood Park. The gingerbread festival is one of many holiday events happening in Salem throughout the weekend. Festivities begin Friday with a virtual Christmas tree lighting followed by the Winter WonderLot Christmas Parade hosted by the Salem Kiwanis Club. The weekend also includes socially distanced photos with Santa with Salem’s Crafty Christmas and Salem Holiday Market happening the following weekend.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Opening night for Illuminights is November 25 and this season you can do more than just gaze at holiday lights. It’s become a holiday one-stop-shop where you can have fun, shop and give back. The Artisan Market inside Explore Park’s visitor center is filled with handmade items from more than 50 artisans from across the region. The Artisan Market opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes at the same time as Illuminights, but you don’t have to attend the walk of lights to shop. If you’re looking to give back, Explore Park is partnering with Kroger to host a canned food drive at Illuminights.

ROANOKE, Va. – There are a variety of organizations across Southwest and Central Virginia making sure everyone gets a Thanksgiving meal and a gift this holiday season. One of those is Friendship House Roanoke, a community center in Southwest Roanoke offering after-school programs, refugee family housing and provides weekly fresh groceries to families. Friendship House is asking the community to donate the fixings of a good holiday meal: canned vegetables, milk, butter, eggs, frozen turkeys, gravy, stuffing or a monetary donation. Along with food, Friendship House Roanoke is also accepting toy donations for its Christmas Toy Store. Friendship House Roanoke is taking donations until Dec. 5.

All 5 members of Virginia Today carved a pumpkin. Now you get to vote on your favorite! Jenna Zibton, Chris Michaels, Rachel Lucas, Patrick McKee and Megan Woods all carved pumpkins and we need your help to decide which one is the best. From now until Wednesday at 11:59 p.m., you can vote once per hour for your favorite pumpkin. We’ll announce the results Thursday morning on Virginia Today!

ROANOKE, Va. – With many new guidelines added to Halloween this year, you might be rethinking your costume. To help keep you from breaking the bank, some local Goodwill stores have turned into a one-stop-shop for the frightful season. Goodwill stores are known for their gently used items, but Halloween is when they have more brand new merchandise. From shark and scarecrow hats, to themed headbands, costume makeup and props, even some pretty creepy household items; Goodwill has a variety of accessories to choose from. Remember when you shop at Goodwill stores your money helps fund programs for the local community like job training.

Published: October 20, 2020, 4:53 am Updated: October 20, 2020, 6:06 amUPDATEI-81 in Montgomery County is starting to reopen after a tractor-trailer crash Tuesday morning. According to VDOT, the southbound right lane and right shoulder are still closed as of 5:30 a.m. ORIGINAL STORYInterstate 81 southbound in Montgomery County is closed from US-11/Roanoke St to Route 8. A tractor-trailer crash is to blame. Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops.

The team is a highlight for the second weekend of Sinkland Farms' 29th annual pumpkin festival. New this year, there will be food trucks but Sinkland Farms made sure these food trucks have items with fall flavors. If you really want to get into the fall spirit you can top your pumpkin funnel cake with Sinkland Farms pumpkin ice cream. We even have pumpkin honey, we have honey beehives that actually pollinate our pumpkins so we have pumpkin honey,” said Sink. Virginia Today anchors Jenna Zibton and Rachel Lucas along with meteorologist Chris Michaels did a live taste-test of the pumpkin honey.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. – This fall in Campbell County, you can find enjoy fall festivities at Yoders’ Farm. The family farm started out in 1952 as a dairy farm. Now, Yoders' Farm is an agritourism attraction growing tomatoes, strawberries, corn and a variety of pumpkins. To commemorate the interesting year we’re having, the Yoders' family got a little creative with the corn maze design. We'... Posted by Yoders' Farm on Thursday, September 10, 2020And yes, that’s a toilet paper roll.

ROANOKE, Va. Roanokes Redevelopment and Housing Authority is launching its very first Walk and Talk on Tuesday. The idea is to bridge the gap between community leaders like the citys vice mayor, Joe Cobb and Del. Sam Rasoul and people living in city housing as well as the people living in the surrounding communities all while getting some exercise in. When the walking groups meet Tuesday, they will decide as a group a better time and day to meet weekly. Here is a list of walking sites and corresponding contact information.

Roanoke Starcade opened up back in July with several new arcade games including Pong and new merchandise. Before stepping foot in the arcade, you have to first reserve tickets online here or purchase tickets in person. Roanoke Pinball Museum is taking similar precautions. The pinball museum revealed two new machines right before it closed in March so many people havent gotten the chance to play them yet. One is The Safe Cracker and if you win a pinball museum collector coin shoots out.

BOUTETOURT, Va. For the first time in 94 years, Camp Bethel in Fincastle did not have overnight summer camps because of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite all the changes, Camp Bethel is still helping families with the first-ever Schools Out Camps In day camp. Kids are split into groups of six to 10 students where the majority of the day they do active, engaging outdoor projects. They have a home-based facility that is only their home-based facility so at no time does the groups and their leaders interact with other groups, said Camp Bethel director Barry LeNoir. Camp Bethel is all about being an active, engaging outdoor learning setting so the majority of the day camp will consist of that.

ROANOKE, Va. – Get ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in August for a great cause. Roanoke Catholic School is paying tribute to its Celtic roots while raising money during the 30th annual Shamrock Hill 5K, but this time it’s virtual and not happening St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. St. Patrick’s Day weekend 2020 was around the time large gatherings were getting canceled and the first guidelines were starting to be put in place. Roanoke Catholic School hosts virtual Shamrock Hill 5K after postponing the race twice. You can still dress up in costume, get a good run in and help raise money for Roanoke Catholic School.

ROANOKE, Va. Heres one Independence Day tradition you can still do, run in the Four on the Fourth race. However, itll be a bit different because this years race, which supports the Boys and Girls Club of SWVA, is virtual. All the proceeds from Four on the Fourth go to Boys and Girls Club of SWVA. Your race registration can make a big difference to Boys and Girls Club. Race registration numbers are low this year, which is a concern, especially given that the race sold out in 2019.

Bedford County opened its libraries for curbside service on May 18 and opened their doors June 1. Whether its social distancing signs, plastic dividers protecting employees or disabled computers to create distance, Bedford County libraries look different from before. Theres nothing quite like the interaction with the audience to make the program better and weve missed that, weve missed our regulars, weve missed our events, weve just missed everybody, said Golston. Upcoming events include the Mill Mountain Zoo bringing animals to the different Bedford County library branches. Roanoke County is taking a different approach when it comes to reopening libraries.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Thanks to the generosity of her community, one Lynchburg teacher is helping her students continue to learn during the summer. Members of her gym wanted to do something for the community and thats when she thought of Books for Lynchburg, a book drive for her students at Dearington. She is hoping this book drive fills that gap. Shes partnered with Givens Books Little Dickens, a local book store, as part of the campaign. They will then work with Lynchburg Parks and Recreation to get the books to students starting July 13.

As an after-school program, Kids Soar focuses on ending the cycle of poverty through literacy education. When the pandemic started back in March, Kids Soar not only became a food pantry for the community, it created a new program, Book Buddies. Then, once a week, the child reads to their book buddy via phone, Zoom, Facetime or even Facebook, whatever works for the family and volunteer. There are about 30 kids signed up for the Book Buddy program but Kids Soar is looking to reach more young readers. For more information on Kids Soar and their new location, visit its website.

Meteorologist Chris Michaels is an American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcaster, forecasting weather conditions in southwest Virginia on WSLS 10 News from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays on Virginia Today.

ROANOKE, Va. – In the midst of the statewide stay at home order, the Berglund Center found a way to still bring the community live entertainment. The Play At Home concert series allows you to enjoy local talent without you or the headliner ever leaving home. Every Wednesday and Friday a local band or musician takes over Berglund Center’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The first show was last Friday and featured the Low Low Chariot. Knight mentioned when the stay-at-home order is lifted, this is a concert series they would like to continue on a smaller scale.

The USDA and Humane Society of the United States are urging pet owners to make a plan from what we know so far. So not coming into contact with people outside of your home, outside of your family that you’re living with,” said Suzanne Cresswell, director of philanthropy and community engagement at Roanoke Valley SPCA. Roanoke Valley SPCA has made a lot of changes in the last several weeks to take care of pets while protecting staff, volunteers and potential new pet owners. The general public can no longer just walk into Roanoke Valley SPCA. New pet owners are required to sign a contract to bring their pet back when thing return to normal.

ROANOKE, Va. – Some local seniors who are homebound or don’t have someone to go to the store for them don’t have the supplies they need for this difficult time. That’s why the Local Office on Aging is asking for your help. LOA serves approximately 14,000 seniors in the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig and Alleghany and the cities of Roanoke, Salem and Covington. Canned meatsCanned fruitsCanned vegetablesPeanut butterPasta and soupsBreakfast barsInstant Carnation Breakfast EssentialsToilet paperGlovesHand sanitizerMasks“Our emergency food pantry is our most need now, we’re trying to get emergency food bags into every home. Boyd said they are taking extra precautions to make sure seniors are served and volunteers are protected in the process.

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Wonder Universe may be closed but you and your kids can have just as much fun learning at home. This children’s museum in the New River Valley Mall is all about amusing, educating and inspiring kids regardless if their doors are open. If you visit the Wonder Universe’s Facebook page, you’ll find a variety of videos of projects and activities you can do with your kids at home. The project is to teach kids about engineers about the woman who built the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Then for aspiring artists you can make tissue paper flowers and self portrait using bright colors with a lesson on Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Virginia Today reporter Megan Woods is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day like they did centuries ago with Irish dance. Lisa’s School of Performing Arts in Wytheville offer Irish dance classes for beginner and intermediate dancers of all ages. One of the studio’s Irish dance teachers spent the morning with 10 News reporter Megan Woods explaining the significance this traditional footwork plays in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, showing us her moves, and teaching Megan a few along the way. Lisa’s School of Performing Arts is closed for the next couple of weeks due to Coronavirus but if you’re interested in taking a class when they open, click here.

If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1554. Copyright © 2020 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and pubished by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.

Meteorologist Chris Michaels is an American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcaster, forecasting weather conditions in southwest Virginia on WSLS 10 News from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays on Virginia Today.

DALEVILLE, Va. – FlyFit puts a fun twist to your typical workout plan. This Daleville fitness center has only been around since August 2019, but is consistently growing its following. FlyFit offers aerial yoga and bungee workout classes throughout the week. Starting Sunday, Jan. 12, the fitness center will offer POP Pilates classes. For a better understanding of what there is to do at FlyFit and to check out classes visit its website here.

ROANOKE, Va. – An unforgettable holiday classic returns to the Berglund Center this weekend. Southwest Virginia Ballet presents “The Nutcraker” featuring 150 cast members. Performances start Saturday and go into Sunday. For a look at performance times or to buy general admission and VIP tickets click here.

ROANOKE, Va. – The biggest holiday shopping days are almost here. And that’s probably the biggest risks we see during Cyber Monday and even during the shopping season.”Also, make sure you’re aware of the return policy. If you know you’re not going to be there and make sure you get those packages in a timely fashion.”Another reminder for the holiday shopping season, don’t forget about local businesses. The BBB reminds shoppers to sign up for email alerts, check social media for deals and don’t just shop small, eat small too. For additional holiday shopping tips and reminders, click here.

This time of year is a big season for Rescue Mission Ministries, a crisis intervention center in Roanoke. One of the biggest events that is keeping Rescue Mission so busy right now is its annual Drumstick Dash. Kevin Berry, the community outreach director for Rescue Mission believes this event represents what Thanksgiving is all about. The Rescue Mission is also hosting a Thanksgiving feast at noon Thanksgiving Day. Another big event Rescue Mission is juggling is Coatsgiving, its annual coat drive.

ROANOKE, Va. – Atlantic Union Bank donated $23,000 on Tuesday in support of a Roanoke Thanksgiving tradition. The money donated to the annual Thanksgiving Drumstick Dash will support Rescue Mission’s food services. Atlantic Union Bank is the main sponsor for the 5K. The Drumstick Dash is still looking for volunteers. To sign up, email karl.stewart@rescuemission.net or volunteer.info@rescuemission.net.

ROANOKE, Va. – Cirque Du Soleil is back in Roanoke, but this time they’re on ice. The Berglund Center is Cirque Du Soleil Axel’s 6th stop on this tour. You may be familiar with the extravagant stage set up, costumes and acrobatics of a Cirque Du Soleil show, but Axel was designed to take it up a notch. They even performed together in Cirque Du Soleil’s first ice show, Crystal. “The standard and quality of Cirque Du Soleil is better than anywhere.

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – The Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County store is now located in the Schewels Plaza at 1145 Franklin Street in Rocky Mount. Store manager Jake Robertson says this new store is at least three times bigger than their last location. With a bigger store they have more space for more items. Robertson is hoping that means more revenue because that funds building homes for local people in need. The celebration begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. Festivities include free hot dog lunches, prizes and from noon to 2 p.m. adoptable dogs from Franklin County Humane Society.

Meteorologist Chris Michaels is an American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcaster, forecasting weather conditions in southwest Virginia on WSLS 10 News from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays on Virginia Today.

ROANOKE, Va. - Halloween is now just one week away, so now is a good time to begin talking about the weather leading up to it. When you have an amplified pattern like this, there's going to be a cold front to separate the warm, moist air from the cold, dry air. Scenario #1: Wet at times and getting colderThe European forecast model shows that cold front close by around Halloween. In my experience dealing with such an amplified pattern, you usually see these forecast models coming to some sort of middle ground. This is 7 days away still, so it may be a few days before the picture becomes clearer.

Superman Bryce is ready for Halloween. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1554.

Thirty-one years after the crime, Jens Soering and his backers say a DNA analysis should set him free. Soering's attorney, Steve Rosenfield, says a blood analysis shows Soering is not connected to the case. "So now we know for the first time that there were two male participants at the crime scene, neither of which was Jens Soering," said Rosenfield. Lawyers, investigators, and several people who have examined the Soering case spoke on his behalf Thursday before a parole board member. She was a drug addict, and I believe that the people that she found to do this with her came out of that part of her life," said Jens Soering, a convicted killer.

BLACKSBURG (WSLS10)-- Virginia Tech fans are starting to pour into town, as those on campus and in the Blacksburg community prepare for Saturday's first game of football season. It's Coach Justin Fuente's first game as head coach-- something that many people are looking forward to watching. The Merryman Center features a case of giant modles of championship ringsIt's the first thing that many of the players' families, athletic prospects and alumni see when they visit Virginia Tech, and now the Merryman Center has a brand new look inside. We've got the Hokie Stone tile and all of the videos, but also the trophies and the history and tradition of Virginia Tech. A display in the Merryman Center features VT ACC Championship wins

Smith Mountain Lake (WSLS10)-- Pirates are invading Smith Mountain Lake this weekend as the Annual Pirate Days kicks off on Friday. This is the fourth year for the event, which involves nearly home, business, shop and restaurant on the lake. From costume contests to pirate ship battles, food specials and giveaways for the kids-- the event started as an effort to keep the visitors coming, even after the Independence Day rush. A Pirate Ship Battle between Bay Rock Revenge and Captain Party in the cove at Jake's Place Saturday starting at noon. The battle will be followed by the Pirates coming ashore at Jake's Place for food and rum.