Arts, Leisure and Sports
Organizers say their upcoming women’s conference will put community and connection at its center. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has details:
Click here to register for the event
Organizers want to dispel a common misconception about a long-held Vinton tradition. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story:
A source with knowledge of the situation said this weekend the sale of the Washington Commanders franchise is believed to be “imminent” within league circles. That’s according to a story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
“Team owners Dan and Tanya Snyder have enlisted Bank of America Securities to facilitate the transaction, which is expected to set a new record for a pro sports team, breaking the $6 billion mark.
Several buyers were vetted and approved by the NFL, but the current favorites are a group led by Josh Harris, a D.C. native who co-founded Apollo Global Management.
Harris currently owns the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia 76ers, and has a stake in Premier League soccer team Crystal Palace. He would bring on several partners as part of his bid, including fellow D.C. native Mitchell Rales, who co-founded the Glenstone art museum,” the RTD reports.
KNOXVILLE, TN. – The Rail Yard Dawgs (27-17-4) roared to life late, outscoring the Knoxville Ice Bears (29-18-3) by three in the final period for a 7-5 win at Knoxville Civic Coliseum {Saturday night]. Mac Jansen notched two goals, Spencer Kennedy had a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, Alex DiCarlo notched his first pro goal, and Nick Ford and CJ Stubbs added goals as well.
Roanoke earned a power play off the opening faceoff, as Kennedy baited Ryan Devine into a penalty early on. At 5:26, DiCarlo tipped a long-range shot by Jarrad Vroman for his first pro tally to open the scoring. Knoxville tied the score at 1-1 on a Bailey Conger goal at 16:34, and the score remained knotted up entering the first intermission.
The second period was a back-and-forth affair, with the Dawgs retaking the lead at 6:32 on Ford’s right-wing laser. Knoxville tied the score at 2-2 just 68 seconds later on a Carter Cowlthorp tally from an odd-man rush. The frame featured 14 combined penalties as the game grinded to a halt, but Jansen notched a power play goal during 4-on-3 play to give the Dawgs a 3-2 lead at 9:03. The Ice Bears tied the game at 11:04 on a Jagger Williamson power play finish. Another power play goal, this time by Knoxville’s Conger, gave the Ice Bears their first lead at 14:19. Roanoke trailed 4-3 after 40 minutes.
The Dawgs roared out of the locker room for the third period, as Kennedy tied the score at 2:26. Valerian finished off a gorgeous feed by Billy Vizzo at the 5:42 mark, and Roanoke went on the power play moments later. Jansen’s left-wing missile at 6:21 gave the Dawgs a 6-4 advantage. Knoxville cut the deficit late on a Rasmuz Waxin-Engback score at 17:05 that made it 6-5. Stubbs capped off the Roanoke win in the final minute with an empty net goal, as Roanoke prevailed to split the weekend in a game that featured 39 combined penalties.
Tyler Roy saved 18-of-23 shots faced in net in his first pro start for Roanoke, while Knoxville’s Kristian Stead stopped 29-of-35 shots. Roanoke went 2-for-9 on the power play, while the Ice Bears were 2-for-5. Roanoke will return home next Friday night, March 24 at 7:05 p.m. EST against the Fayetteville Marksmen at Berglund Center.
A local children’s theatre announces their lineup of productions for next season — Among them is a first for the organization. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story:
SALEM, Va. – March 17, 2023 – The Salem Red Sox today announced that the club has entered into an agreement to sell the team to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select Minor League clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB). The Salem Red Sox will remain in Salem, Virginia as the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and current staff will continue to be led by General Manager Allen Lawrence.
“We anticipate a smooth transition in the coming weeks and know that DBH puts fans and community first,” said Lawrence. “Our day-to-day operations will not change, and our entire organization remains focused on creating an exceptional player development program for Red Sox players, and a positive experience for our fans in the Roanoke Valley.”
“For 16 years, Allen and the entire team in Salem have been incredible partners who have made the entry point into the Red Sox Minor League system one that is welcoming and sets the standard for our culture,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “Our connection to Allen and the entire player development team in Salem will remain intact and I know the organization is in good hands with DBH leaders like Pat Battle and Peter Freund at the helm. What they are doing to enhance the Minor Leagues through investment and technology will benefit Salem greatly and I have no doubt they will continue to build on what has been established in Salem under Allen’s capable guidance.”
Throughout its long history in the Roanoke Valley, the Salem Red Sox have fostered a devoted community of supporters and DBH plans to continue building on the club’s success and connectivity with the fans and city of Salem. DBH is an experienced leader with a growing portfolio of Minor League Baseball clubs in markets across the country including the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, the Portland Sea Dogs. Focused on creating highest-quality baseball experiences, DBH prioritizes fan and community engagement while driving additional growth and value for each club by investing in best-in-class facilities and technological innovation and through direct partnerships with MLB on opportunities like sponsorship and merchandising.
Giant puppets, floats featuring huge paper mache heads – all sorts of pageantry with an artistic twist. A local art teacher is organizing a first-time unique parade next month, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports: