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Columnists

FRED FIRST: Approaching the Longest Night

Yes, you’re right—if you’ve even noticed—that this space has been neglected for some weeks now, and it has been hard to figure out where and how to jump back...

A Life Well-Lived: Shirley Padgett Lester (1947-2025)

Shirley Padgett Lester of Vinton went to her heavenly reward October 4. Below is the...

BOB BROWN: How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden “Presidency”

Permit me to think out loud as an old-fashioned person who respects authority, history, and...

JOHNNY ROBINSON: The Gratitude Perch

On the old road up Mill Mountain, part of Roanoke’s fabulous greenway system, there’s a...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Sometimes President Trump Needs To Think Before He Speaks – Part II

Contrary to what President Trump believes, I think that Lakanwal was adequately vetted before September 2021,...

Roanoke County Registrar Is Daughter of Democratic Committee Chairperson

In the wake of the highly unusual and divisive 2020 elections, I used this column to ask some questions about some of the irregularities...

SCOTT DREYER: End the Johnnymander!

In March 1812, the Boston Gazette ran a cartoon showing “a new species of monster”--”The Gerry-mander.” It made fun of a contorted voting district...

MIKE KEELER: I’m Gonna Sell You A Book

As we head to the holidays, here’s my year-end gift to you: I’m gonna sell you a book. But first let me tell you about...

SCOT BELLAVIA: Before I Forget

I have a website on which I’ve linked all my articles for The Roanoke Star as well as others I’ve written. The site is...

JAMES FINCK: Christmas 2021 – The Need To Forgive

As I have considered how I wanted to end this year, I knew I wanted to try to bring a message of hope and...

MELINDA MYERS: Bring a Bit of Spring Color Indoors

Pot them up, give them a chill and enjoy spring flowering bulbs indoors or outside on a patio, deck or porch. This is a great...