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Columnists

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Is Phase Two Of Trump‘s Peace Plan In The Gaza Strip Doomed To Fail? – Part I

Phase one of Trump‘s twenty-point peace plan in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 9, called for a ceasefire, cessation of military operations, along with a hostage and prisoner...

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,...

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...

Grandpaw and The Christmas Wish

I imagine I am no different than any other grandparent; I love my grand kids, enjoy their visits, but I yearn to get back...

 Dr. JAMES FINCK: Whistleblowing 101

As surprising as this may sound, presidents behaving badly is not new. President Trump is just the latest. Politicians have been skirting the law...

STUART REVERCOMB: Something Just Ended

Here in the great state of Virginia we have just enjoyed (or not so much) the annual UVA / VA TECH football game. And,...

LUCKY GARVIN: Lola and The Trash Compactor

The fact that our trash compacter doesn’t always close securely is what triggered the following chain of events. Cats get fed twice a day...

STUART REVERCOMB: Little Fish – Big Problem

Most people have no idea how big a role menhaden play in their diet. They’ve never eaten one but they’ve eaten plenty of things...

LUCKY GARVIN: The Battered Dove

A battered Mourning Dove was bought to us missing most of the feathers necessary for flight. He was an adult who ate well, seemed...