Will Thomas
Multimedia Journalist
Roanoke, Virginia
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Following his graduation from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2018, Will Thomas began his reporting career at Wyoming News Now. After two years of covering Casper and Cheyenne, he joined the WDBJ7 newsroom in August 2021.
Education
Awards
Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 9:21 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The Downtown Lynchburg Association is calling on current and potential business owners for a chance to cash in on a portion of $115,000 in grant funding.
Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 9:04 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
As the town prepares to celebrate the soldiers on Feb. 11, during the parade they’ll also take a moment to honor those who came before them.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 at 11:54 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The Bus Riders of Roanoke Advocacy Group began its work in February 2022.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 at 11:34 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
In July 2022, Roanoke County Public Schools purchased the land that will house their future career and technical education center.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 10:53 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Each year, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine students face off against Carilion Clinic doctors in the annual “Docs for Morgan” basketball game.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 10:25 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The murder of Tyre Nichols has shaken communities across the country, including in southwest Virginia.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 at 10:41 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
A house fire in the 1100 block of 13th Street in southeast Roanoke closed the road for an hour Tuesday night.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 at 10:33 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
There, they were greeted by 19 organizations looking to show them what apprenticeships have to offer.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 10:45 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The Hangout Sports Bar and Lounge is approaching its second anniversary in February. 2022 had quite a bit in store for the business.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 10:17 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Alleghany Highlands Public Schools will merge Covington High School and Alleghany High School in the fall of 2023.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 10:37 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The LU Serve Now team will be there from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4.
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 11:30 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
More than a hundred people gathered to say thank you to police officers, healthcare workers, teachers and even some members of the chamber.
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 10:45 PM EST
|By Jessica Mardian and Will Thomas
Dr. John Markley, filed that lawsuit last November. He’s asking for a trial by jury and $20 million in damages.
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 12:14 AM EST
|By Will Thomas
The next training will be held at the Buchanan Public Library on Saturday Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 11:53 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
These traumatic events can impact everyone involved, students, teachers, parents in many ways.
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 10:23 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The Roanoke City School Board is in early discussions on its 2023-2024 budget
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 9:54 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Roanoke City is working on revamping the Eureka Recreation Center to modernize what it has to offer.
Updated: Jan. 20, 2023 at 8:27 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Downtown Roanoke's annual restaurant week kicked off today with more than 20 businesses getting in on the fun.
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 10:52 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Martin Misjuns added alleged wrongful termination to his lawsuit that was filed in 2021.
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 10:31 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The majority who spoke said they were against redistricting plans in Bedford County elementary schools.
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 9:59 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services learned a commercial operation in Rockingham County, housing 25,000 turkeys, had the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Updated: Jan. 18, 2023 at 10:46 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The housing shortage is not unique to Roanoke, but with developments popping up left and right, city leaders want the future to include more access to affordable housing.
Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 11:50 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Hollins University announced that $428,000 will help in that mission in a partnership with Virginia Western Community College.
Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 11:36 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The council voted unanimously in support of TPB Enterprises LLC’s three part plan for the project.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2023 at 10:42 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Dr. Mirta Martin took the helm as interim president of Ferrum College just a couple of weeks ago.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2023 at 10:13 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
More than a hundred students and staff gathered to package 25,000 meals in a partnership with Harvest Pack.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2023 at 9:58 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
A rezoning application off Orange Avenue would clear the way for more than 700 apartment units.
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 7:39 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Campbell County, the City of Lynchburg and the Lynchburg Regional Airport are buzzing about a recent GO Virginia grant that will help bring to life more than 200 acres just outside the airport.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 10:26 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Virginia distribution centers and elected officials are concerned about the impact it will have.
Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 at 10:20 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The annual event raised $4,400 for the United Way of Roanoke Valley.
Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 at 9:57 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
City leaders held an open house Wednesday night sharing the design for the future of Riverfront Park.
Updated: Jan. 10, 2023 at 11:12 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Despite the back and forth discussion, council approved the vote 5-2.
Updated: Jan. 9, 2023 at 10:28 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The Roanoke City Planning Commission approved the application that would bring 768 apartments to Orange Ave.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 9:23 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Serving people experiencing homelessness is an every day job at RAM House.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 8:27 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Three historic sites in our hometowns are now a part of the Virginia Landmarks Register.
Updated: Jan. 4, 2023 at 9:20 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Roanoke County Fire and Rescue has many positives going for it and they believe this plan will help build on that momentum.
Updated: Dec. 30, 2022 at 9:25 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Ted Anderson has been a part of Martinsville Fire and EMS for 27 years, the last seven as Fire Chief.
Updated: Dec. 30, 2022 at 8:00 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Roanoke’s Solid Waste Management will begin picking up residents' natural and artificial trees starting Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Updated: Dec. 29, 2022 at 11:14 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The 4th season of Illuminights at Explore Park wraps up on Friday.
Updated: Dec. 29, 2022 at 10:45 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The week after Christmas most businesses expect to see the crowds returning or exchanging gifts for various reasons.
Updated: Dec. 28, 2022 at 10:44 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The Warming Shelter of Franklin County opened its doors in early 2022 for the first time and is ready to serve those in need now and into 2023.
Updated: Dec. 27, 2022 at 5:54 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Though it’s been days since the winter storm passed, the rising temperatures present more problems in the coming days.
Updated: Dec. 23, 2022 at 10:33 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Just outside of the Grandin Village, rows and rows of houses are decorated each year for the holiday season.
Updated: Dec. 23, 2022 at 10:18 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The weather will be an ongoing challenge but Appalachian Power is asking for patience as they game plan how to move forward.
Updated: Dec. 22, 2022 at 11:14 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Each night, Hermitage Roanoke’s 3rd annual “Festival of Lights” brings the holiday cheer across the grounds.
Updated: Dec. 22, 2022 at 11:01 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Each family that came in, had the chance to choose a variety of items for their kids. This effort is not possible without the communities support.
Updated: Dec. 22, 2022 at 10:37 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
The worry throughout most of Thursday was the rain. Now overnight and into Friday, that worry becomes what the temperature drop will do to the roads.
Updated: Dec. 21, 2022 at 10:07 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
As temperatures drop for the winter, it gets harder and harder for those without a home. But The Least of These Ministry is working to make sure they have a place to stay warm throughout the night.
Updated: Dec. 21, 2022 at 9:45 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Angels of Assisi wanted to spread the holiday cheer this year.
Updated: Dec. 20, 2022 at 10:52 PM EST
|By Will Thomas
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday banned Tik Tok and WeChat on state government technology.
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