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Associated Press | File 1957

Lindsay Almond (center), Virginia attorney general and Democratic candidate for governor, and James Simmonds (left), an attorney for the Arlington County School Board, leave the federal building in Alexandria on Sept. 11, 1957, during a recess in a federal district court hearing on a motion for an order directing the admission of seven black students to white schools in Arlington County. Almond spoke in opposition to the motion.

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1999 (10 years ago)

• "Residents along Roanoke's Chapman Avenue aren't kidding when they say they want things to change. Last Wednesday, nearly 30 of them joined with Roanoke police officers to form a brand-new neighborhood watch."

• "Joseph Dexter Mills, a WDBJ broadcaster for more than 40 years and an innovator of racing coverage, died Saturday at the age of 82."

• "Virginia will get $2.5 million in federal funds intended to improve safety on Interstate 81. The $2.5 million will pay for the first year of technological advancements in the Roanoke and Shenandoah valleys."

• "It may be a Sunday and it may be a school night, but Oct. 31 will remain Halloween around the Roanoke Valley."

1984 (25 years ago)

• "A sweeping plan to upgrade outdoor sports facilities at Cave Spring High School was set in motion by the Roanoke County School Board Thursday night."

• "William J. Deegan, chairman of Roanoke College's English department, received the school's first John T. Fishwick Professorship in English on Saturday during parents' weekend ceremonies at the college."

• "Ellen Hylton, Muffin the cat and about 35,000 books, all survivors of the Vinton branch library roof collapse 14 months ago, are returning home."

• "Vinton councilmen Tuesday night said they are not interested in joining the valley governments and will not fund Valley First, a volunteer organization proposing to be an umbrella group for studying such a merger."

• "Salem General Manager Bob Kitchen has been named 1984 Carolina League Executive of the Year."

1959 (50 years ago)

• "Roanoke and Vinton funeral homes will discontinue ambulance service ... and a single company, not connected with any of them, Roanoke Ambulance Service, will furnish ambulance service in this area."

• "One of William Fleming High School's eighth grade classes is taught English in a charming way: with a Spanish accent. The teacher is Mrs. Mamie Patterson, a native of Puerto Rico and a two-year resident of Roanoke."

• "Roanoke will soon be the home of the world's largest originating coal hauling railroad. This distinction was ascertained yesterday when the Interstate Commerce Commission stamped approval on the merger of the Virginian and Norfolk and Western railroads."

• "A new five-room school to replace the present Vinton Elementary School should be ready for opening next fall."

• "Roanoke has been selected as one of two cities in the Bell Telephone system to participate in the pre-production field trials of a new pushbutton telephone."

• "In brief, simple ceremonies today, four ministers consecrated a one-acre plot of ground that will be used as a city cemetery."

• "Ever mistake an airport for a football field? Some folk have. That's one reason Roanoke City's airport -- long called Woodrum Field -- is gradually getting a new name. The correct way to refer to it is Woodrum Airport."

• "William 'Bill' Cochran, Lynchburg College senior from Roanoke, is the author of an article on bowhunting in the October issue of Virginia Wildlife."

• "Compact, economy-sized cars, the biggest change in American transportation since the Stanley Steamer pushed the horse off the road, seem to be getting a good reception in Roanoke."

• "Breaking into the scoring column in every way possible, Carver defeated Susie Gibson of Bedford, 32-0, in Salem last night."

1934 (75 years ago)

• "Roanoke county has just received its first consignment of small mouth bass from the Front Royal state fish hatchery."

• "The first autumn dance of the Pinche Winche club is scheduled for Saturday night at the Elks club."

• "A Womens' Athletic council was formed at Roanoke College yesterday under the supervision of Miss Edith Grosvenor, director of physical education for women at the college."

• "The decorative street lighting system in the downtown district during the Christmas holidays will be turned on on November 28."

• "The South Roanoke 'Chevrolets' and the Scorpions fought to a scoreless tie yesterday afternoon at Wasena in the first sandlot football game of the season here."

• "Roanoke will hold the spotlight of the nation this week as President Franklin D. Roosevelt comes to the city on Friday to deliver an address ... and dedicate the United States neuropsychiatric hospital for veterans of the World War."

• "A campaign for the benefit of Burrell Memorial hospital, established in 1915 by members of the colored medical profession, will be launched before the middle of November."

1909 (100 years ago)

• "The rain which began to fall last night shortly after midnight, came as a great surprise to the people of Roanoke."

• "Every condition aided in making the shoot at the gun club grounds Saturday one of the most auspicious of the present season."

• "Sunday being a typical summer day, there was a large attendance at all the churches and the electric cars brought up many Roanokers who spent the afternoon at Lake Spring and other parts of the town.

• "The Salem band left yesterday at noon for Fincastle, where they have been engaged to furnish music for the Botetourt fair."

• "Circus day -- Barnum and Bailey's -- tomorrow."

• " Roanoke is entertaining one of the largest circus day crowds in its history today. People began coming to town at daybreak."

• "Everybody connected with the Norfolk and Western is cheerful these days; for things look good."

• "A horse attached to a buggy caused considerable excitement down town at noon today by running away."