Just after 5 a.m. on Friday, the Troutville Fire Training Center in Botetourt County was severely damaged in a fire. The building, located next to the Troutville Fire Department, has long been used to train emergency responders across Southwestern Virginia.

Driven by the need for more volunteers, the Botetourt County Fire and EMS held a Citizens Academy to better prepare people for emergency situations and maybe make a volunteer first responder out of them.

As volunteer fire departments across the country grapple with staffing shortages, Botetourt County is rolling out a new incentive program aimed at attracting and retaining more volunteer firefighters.

The crowning of Zhao Xintong as Asia’s first world snooker champion will have come as a surprise to many unfamiliar with the sport, who will have also been unaware of its vast popularity in China.

This crash has been cleared, according to VDOT.

Volunteers at a local fire department are hanging up their gear, and it’s a part of a nationwide trend.

Botetourt County first responders will now have their very own training academy.

A man was airlifted from the Blue Ridge Parkway after a motorcycle crash sent him nearly 100 feet over an embankment over the weekend.

US-220 in Botetourt County is temporarily shut down due to a vehicle crash, according to VDOT.

A family of three in Fincastle lost all of their belongings and their beloved family dog in a house fire on Thursday, according to the Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS.

The front line is thinning out, and the Roanoke Valley needs more first responders.

The college recently partnered with Ancora, so that students can learn to drive on campus and in town.

Helen “Gracey” Humbert spent most of her life serving others.

In order to better diagnose and treat patients before they even get to the ER, Carilion Clinic is partnering with local first responders in the Roanoke Valley to test out new ultrasound equipment.

The inaugural IRONMAN in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is now behind us and the positive feedback from racers, visitors and community members alike is pouring in.

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Safety improvements are coming to one of the most dangerous stretches of Interstate 81 in Virginia. Winding curves on the stretch of I-81 through Botetourt County near Buchanan oftentimes make it a very dangerous area, as it has one of the highest crash rates on the interstate. The most recent data from VDOT shows 52 crashes in that section in a two-year period. Crews will be:Repaving the road to increase tractionAdding new pavement markersInstalling underground drainsPermanently closing an exit that sees minimal traffic. “It’ll help reduce some of the speed differentials, the lane changes associated with the exiting vehicles there so that should help improve safety,” VDOT spokesperson Jason Bond said.

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – This horse fell into a tricky situation Tuesday afternoon. Dozens of first responders came to save a horse that somehow got stuck in a hole in Botetourt County. An emergency veterinarian, along with special services and animal control aided in rescuing the horse. The veterinarian assisted with sedating him in order to safely get the horse out of the hole. The horse was finally freed from the hole just before 2 p.m. with no significant injuries.

BOTETOURT COUNTY, VA. On Wednesday night, Roanoke County turned over the keys of the Read Mountain Fire Station to Botetourt County. The fire station was a joint venture between the two counties, sitting on the county line and serving residents in both jurisdictions. Back when it was built, Botetourt didnt have the resources to manage it, so Roanoke County did. Botetourt County still provided funds and employees, but Roanoke County maintained ownership. Botetourt County Fire-EMS Chief Jason Ferguson said people in the area wont notice the change.

DALEVILLE, Va. – Tuesday happened to be the perfect time to deliver Food for Frontline meals to the Botetourt County Fire and EMS department. It's National EMS Week, a time to thank those who care for us. Firetrucks and ambulances from across the county stopped by Greenfield to grab a hot lunch from Three Li’l Pigs in Daleville. The fire chief said they are grateful the community paid for lunch, but he also encouraged folks to thank all the essential workers out there. Nearly 1,500 lunches have been delivered to frontline workers thanks to generous donations from 10 News viewers to this initiative.

We hear the concerns our viewers have about area roads, from I-81 to US-460, and Wednesday night the state transportation secretary was in Roanoke to hear from residents and local leaders on infrastructure wants and needs. Perfect examples for Botetourt County Fire and EMS chief Jason Ferguson to share with the Commonwealth Transportation Board about what happens here. Ferguson is talking about Smart Scale. State Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine listened to our local leaders ask for help with the usual suspects -- I-81, US-460, US-220 and rail. Changes to Smart Scale are coming, and Valentine shared other minor improvements like rumble strips and chevrons that are expected to help.

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. - Like many volunteer fire departments across the country, Botetourt County is feeling the pinch of just getting people to show up. That's why the county is putting out an all call for students for its first citizens' academy' and at this point they don't have as many sign-ups as they want. These hands-on classes are not a new concept, but they're new for the growing county, and they're doing it with one goal in mind. There's career EMS staff, but fire is nearly all-volunteer and that's whether people sign up or not. The county also received a grant to produce a commercial on TV for recruitment purposes.