Vinton Messenger

10/19/2025

Citizen's Upholstery celebrates renovations with Open House....

Read the details at

https://vintonmessenger.com/citizens-upholstery-puts-on-a-fresh-face-invites-community-to-open-house/

10/18/2025

Protests tonight in Vinton involving animal cruelty charge.

According to a media release from the Vinton Police, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, officers with the Vinton Police Department responded to a residence in Vinton, regarding a report of possible animal cruelty. Upon arrival, officers located a dog that appeared to have sustained injuries and was in need of veterinary care. The dog’s owner voluntarily relinquished ownership of the animal to a local animal care organization. The dog was immediately transported to a veterinary facility for treatment but was ultimately euthanized by the attending veterinarian. Following the investigation, on October 16, 2025, the owner was charged with Animal Cruelty (Virginia Code § 3.2-6570), a Class 1 Misdemeanor. This case remains an active investigation. No further information is available for release at this time.

10/17/2025

Stone, Richard Frank
June 23, 1933 – September 27, 2025

The Vinton community's beloved Frank Stone, 92, passed away peacefully at his home in Vinton on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Frank was born in Patrick County, Va. on June 23, 1933. He was a devoted husband, father,
grandfather and great-grandfather.

Frank’s teaching career began in 1956 as a history teacher at Fort Lewis in Salem. He then
served as the principal at Bent Mountain and Roland E. Cook Elementary Schools before
becoming the first principal for East Vinton Elementary and later Hardy Road Elementary. In
1988, he retired after 32 years as an educator.

After retiring, Frank and Janine ran Cornerstone Antiques in downtown Vinton until 2024 when
they moved to Stafford, Va. to be closer to family.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife of almost 69 years, Janine; a daughter, Leslie; a son,
Ron; two brothers, George Escar and James Lloyd; and two sisters, Loraine Law and Evelyn
Lewis.

He is survived by two children, Jennifer and Keith; 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-
grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Oakey’s Vinton
Chapel where a celebration of Frank’s life will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Allison Burnette
officiating. In honor of Frank, wear a bolo tie if you have one.

In lieu of flowers, Frank asked that memorial contributions be made to the charity of your
choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.Oakeys.com. Arrangements by
Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, (540) 982-2221.

10/16/2025

Great event at the Vinton War Memorial today--the Vinton Police Dept. partnered with the Virginia Dept. for the Blind and Vision Impaired and Vinton Breakfast Lions Club to celebrate National Disability Employee Awareness Month and White Cane Day (Oct.15). There was music, hot dogs provided by the Vinton Police Dept., and many employees from the Roanoke DBVI offices sharing information on available services that enhance the quality of life, independence, and inclusion of Virginians who are blind or visually impaired.
The event was coordinated by Julianna Drumond, Regional Manager with the Roanoke office DBVI.

10/15/2025

Road Closure today for repairs on Mountain View Road in Vinton ....

Lane Closure Notice for Wednesday, October 15, 2025:

On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, a contractor will be working in the 1600 block of Mountain View Road (near Bali Hai, The Meadows, Bush Farms Subdivisions) to make repairs to the asphalt which will result in lane closures from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be flaggers present to control traffic during the work. Please use caution and allow extra time to travel in this area or find an alternate route. We appreciate your patience during the repair process.

10/13/2025

Congratulations to the William Byrd High School Terriers of the Month for September!

Read the details at:

https://vintonmessenger.com/william-byrd-high-school-announces-terriers-of-the-month-for-september/

10/13/2025

Vinton Police Dept. celebrates National Disability Employee Month/White Cane Awareness Day
on Oct. 15--that's Wednesday--and the public is invited!

The Vinton Police Department will be celebrating National Disability Employee Awareness
Month and White Cane Safety Day on October 15. They are collaborating for this special event
with Julianna Drumond, Regional Manager for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision
Impaired (DBVI).

The free event will take place in the Vinton War Memorial parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If
it rains, they will move indoors at the nearby Charles R. Hill Community Center.

The DBVI provides services to individuals who are blind, deaf, or have other vision
impairments caused by, but not limited to: Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic
Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stroke, Trauma, etc.

This event is open to everyone—whether you are blind, have low vision, or simply want to learn
more about vision resources.

There will be live music, featuring Dennis Helms, who is a blind musician, and Myke Caldwell,
a Lieutenant with the Vinton Police Department.

A free lunch will also be provided by the VPD, which includes hot dogs, chips, and drinks.
Highlights of the event include:

 Magnification Station--Come try out quality magnifiers and digital magnification
equipment.

 Adaptation Station--Explore tools and techniques to help you be more independent in
your home.

 Resource Roundup--Stop by for more information about vision resources and giveaways.

 Braille Trail--Learn more about Braille and take home a souvenir.

 Cane Code – Know the Law and learn more about the Code of Virginia’s laws regarding
White Canes.

 Sweet Spot--Get a free chocolate covered pretzel cane.

 Sight & Sound--Law Enforcement and blind musician pair to bring live music

 Cane Course--Under the guidance of an O & M, test out your skills using a white cane to
navigate a course.

 Cops & Dogs--The Vinton Police Department will be serving up tasty bites and
community smiles!

10/12/2025

Huge crowds turned out for Vinton's Fall Festival--lots of entertainment, lots of craft vendors, lots of food, great weather! The day started out with the annual Vinton Breakfast Lions Club pancake breakfast, assisted by the William Byrd Leo Club. The Vinton History Museum held its annual Holiday Shop Sale on the lawn. There were animals to pet and to ride--and a Pet Costume/Trick contest. Downtown restaurants were busy all day. The Warren Dancers, Floyd Ward, FAME All-Stars, and Excel Martial Arts entertained on two stages. Vinton's Mayor Brad Grose and his family came for the fun. So did Roanoke County School Board candidate Amber Reed. Fall Festival is sponsored by the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce, who produced another spectacular event in 2025, with assistance from the Town of Vinton, most especially Public Works and the Vinton Police.

10/11/2025

Vinton Town Council recognized the Vinton Moose Lodge at this week's town council meeting for their generous donation of $10,000 toward a UTV for the Vinton Police Dept.

Read the details at:

https://vintonmessenger.com/town-council-thanks-vinton-moose-for-generous-donation/

10/11/2025

Congratulations to Edward Jones Financial Services celebrating their Grand Opening in downtown Vinton....

Read the details at:

https://vintonmessenger.com/edward-jones-financial-services-celebrates-grand-opening-in-downtown-vinton/

10/11/2025

Congratulations William Byrd Terriers, winning 14-7 over Northside last night in a Blue Ridge District Game!!

Thanks to Northside for their warm welcome for William Byrd's Cam Thepsimuong, and their stadium Christmas decorations in his honor.

10/10/2025

72 William Byrd seniors inducted into Beta Club

Read the details at :

https://vintonmessenger.com/william-byrd-beta-club-inducts-72-seniors-into-prestigious-organization/