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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...

Stuart Revercomb: Egregious Floyd Death Further Reveals False Narrative

The killing of George Loyd was a sad and senseless act, committed by an individual who was either severely untrained / educated, mentally unstable,...

SCOTT DREYER: Seek The Welfare of Your City

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in...

LUCKY GARVIN: A Long-Life Living Lesson Learned In Fire

Dad was tough as a pine knot, and brave as a bear. We grew up in a very rural setting. Dad felt the need to...

MIKE KEELER: Bottled Water – What Are We Thinking??

It's poetic that the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day took place while Earth was completely shut down. Suddenly, with minimal industry going on, we're...

JOY SYLVESTER-JOHNSON: A Visceral Prayer

I had forgotten that one of the best gifts you can give yourself is a good, red eyed, sniffling nose, breath catching, shoulder shaking...

SCOTT DREYER: Governor Continues To Name Winners and Losers

By their fruits you will know them (....)  -- Matthew 7:16a The Roanoke Times did us a service, I believe, with its May 5 editorial:...