Patsy Montesinos
Roanoke, VA

Patsy is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and joined the WDBJ7 news team in June 2022.
She previously was a part-time reporter for Chatham News + Record, where she helped start the first Spanish newspaper of the county, “La Voz de Chatham.”
Patsy grew up in Concord, North Carolina, but spent some of her time as a child living in Mexico. Outside work, you can find Patsy hiking, dancing, or enjoying a delicious meal at a local restaurant.
Please feel free to share your story ideas or say hello to her through email or her social media platform.
Updated: Nov. 21, 2023 at 6:06 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
The drizzle will help control the blaze and prevent it from spreading any further.
Updated: Nov. 1, 2023 at 6:46 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
The 19 rooms will be re-done and fully furnished with a capacity to host up to 30 people in total.
Updated: Oct. 25, 2023 at 6:18 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
The second grader was playing outside when he smelled smoke and went to investigate.
Updated: Oct. 6, 2023 at 11:37 AM EDT
|By Justin Geary and Patsy Montesinos
Andrew Byrd received two consecutive life sentences.
Updated: Sep. 15, 2023 at 5:16 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
Attorney General Jason Miyares was in Roanoke Friday - and says his office has received complaints about the Blue Ridge Rock Fest.
Updated: Sep. 1, 2023 at 5:13 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
Experts say warning signs include thoughts of dying or being a burden, feeling hopeless, and giving away important items.
Updated: Aug. 3, 2023 at 11:15 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“This around here is ridiculous – it gotta stop,” said LaCiann Divers. “Like every week somebody is dying. It don’t make no freaking sense.”
Updated: Jun. 18, 2023 at 3:40 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“I hope their heart fills up with pride for America. I hope they think it’s beautiful and I hope they stop and take time to honor and remember the names on these flags; It’s past and present,” explained Keaton.
Updated: Jun. 17, 2023 at 6:47 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
Daniel Barmak is charged with murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and malicious wounding.
Updated: Jun. 11, 2023 at 3:37 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“It seeks to educate and inform motorists in Roanoke about the update to the law,” explained Issem. “It went from simply three feet passing distance to change lanes to pass.”
Updated: Jun. 10, 2023 at 6:28 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
Leaders say the vessel is key in detecting toxic algae blooms like the ones seen recently and help keep the community safe.
Updated: Jun. 7, 2023 at 7:30 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“It’s really really hard. I don’t wish it on nobody. It’s the hardest thing I’d ever had to do. I miss my son every day – every second,” said Fowler.
Updated: May. 12, 2023 at 4:40 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
First-generation college student Ashlyn Clemmer is one of more than 7000 Hokies graduating from the university this spring.
Updated: May. 2, 2023 at 1:56 PM EDT
|By Justin Geary and Patsy Montesinos
“I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to do tomorrow whenever I go to sleep and I don’t hear him say my name,” explained Oulds. “Or I come through the house and he’s not there to ask me to turn on Fortnite.”
Updated: Apr. 29, 2023 at 5:50 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and multiple organizations came together hoping to reach families here at home.
Updated: Apr. 29, 2023 at 5:38 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
”Because of their dedication on July, 2022. When their diligence, yes we lost two buildings but they saved our downtown from burning,” Dogwood Festival Publicity Chairwoman Mary Beth Layman. “So, we really appreciate them.”
Updated: Apr. 22, 2023 at 2:33 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
The 82-year-old Betsy Davis was determined to finish the Anthem Star 10k and refused to go back in a shuttle.
Updated: Apr. 16, 2023 at 4:00 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
16 years ago, a gunman opened fire and killed 32 students and staff on the campus of Virginia Tech.
Updated: Apr. 13, 2023 at 4:46 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
The Virginia Department of Wildlife says Smith Mountain Lake had 21 boating incidents in 2022 including 11 injuries.
Updated: Apr. 8, 2023 at 5:47 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“She was shot from the front in and it grazed her front leg and then shattered her femur,” said Scott. “So, the back leg will have to be removed.”
Updated: Apr. 2, 2023 at 6:45 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“As a pastor, I believe in prayer. I get a little tired of the phrase thoughts and prayers and so today was a call to pray but it was also a call to action to be involved,” added Harvey.
Updated: Apr. 1, 2023 at 3:00 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“I just think this is part of your college experience. It’s not just about lane stadium. It’s everything,” explained Coach Pry. “Opportunities like this to be part of this and be part of the student body is fantastic for our guys.”
Updated: Mar. 26, 2023 at 4:19 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
It was all sunshine and smiles after the Hokies took home the win Saturday night.
Updated: Mar. 19, 2023 at 5:55 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
"Lives can’t be replaced, items can."
Updated: Mar. 18, 2023 at 7:05 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“But this was something that even though she passed, I was able to still do it for her,” said Tausendfreundt. “So, I know she’s smiling.”
Updated: Mar. 9, 2023 at 10:05 AM EST
|By Pat Thomas and Patsy Montesinos
STS Group AG will call the old General Electric plant home, investing $32 million.
Updated: Mar. 5, 2023 at 6:51 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
“I would not be the only player that would say how much it meant to them later in life to be coached the way they were coached,” said former NFL player Shayne Graham.
Updated: Feb. 18, 2023 at 6:32 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
Studies show less than six percent of U-S psychologists are able to provide services in Spanish.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023 at 7:02 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
Investigators documented Michel disposed of the dogs’ bodies on Carolina Springs Road on Valentine’s Day.
Updated: Feb. 4, 2023 at 6:52 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
It’s a piece taking visitors on a journey to learn about the air that we breathe.
Updated: Feb. 4, 2023 at 6:46 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
“It means celebration of life, it means education, it means civil rights advocacy work, it means freedom,” said BRAG Member Cyndi Jones.
Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 6:48 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
“It is actually the only thing I have that represents my father,” said Bob Wilkin.
Updated: Jan. 21, 2023 at 7:12 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
For 9 months Task Force Red Dragon was deployed in East Africa on a security mission.
Updated: Jan. 7, 2023 at 7:01 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
“And today we’re seeing them coming up and interacting with people, interacting with other dogs that they may or may not know from the facility that they were at,” explained O’Neill.
Updated: Jan. 7, 2023 at 6:44 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
Mayor Lea introduced an outline during the first city council meeting to address gun and teen violence.
Updated: Jan. 1, 2023 at 7:21 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
”I’m concerned because we have a person that's been shot and two juveniles were shot. And it’s just sickening. And enough is enough.”
Updated: Jan. 1, 2023 at 7:00 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
Once the group arrives at the star, they collectively do burpees corresponding to the new year. This year they did 2023.
Updated: Dec. 30, 2022 at 4:48 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
“Set goals that you can obtain and set small ones. And when you hit it, go to another one. So, sort of set yourself with benchmarks.”
Updated: Nov. 27, 2022 at 3:32 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
“She came to a facility just crying. She lost everything. She didn’t have insurance. She didn’t know what to do. And I knew. I called the office and said this is the lady we have to help,” explained Shiles.
Updated: Nov. 6, 2022 at 5:53 PM EST
|By Patsy Montesinos
The CDC has only documented fewer than 20 cases where humans survived.
Updated: Nov. 5, 2022 at 9:23 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
The CDC reports the maternal mortality rate for Black women is three times higher than for white women.
Updated: Oct. 30, 2022 at 5:37 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
The suspect, 18-year-old Christian Pinckney, is accused of killing 26-year-old Tyshais Dashawn King.
Updated: Oct. 23, 2022 at 3:12 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“I am a soldier. I reached home today. This trip has made me come home.”
Updated: Oct. 22, 2022 at 5:03 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
From building a house to using a hammer, getting to see a tractor, or going up in a crane. They were able to do it all and do it like a girl.
Updated: Oct. 1, 2022 at 7:56 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“If we would’ve been sitting in that living room,” added Floyd. “We probably not be here right now.”
Updated: Sep. 23, 2022 at 5:36 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“Particularly those who are predisposed to or are already dealing with anxiety issues, it only can make it worse. Because it all of a sudden brings in the very real fear that this can happen again,” said Trestman.
Updated: Sep. 11, 2022 at 7:25 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
Scott West was the keynote speaker at the 9/11 day of remembrance hosted in Appomattox. He told the stories of 4 of his friends who died during the attacks.
Updated: Sep. 11, 2022 at 7:09 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
The class, “Democracy and Duty: Activating Service,” will explore what drives the call to service and how to repurpose that passion.
Updated: Sep. 10, 2022 at 6:45 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
“We all really have a responsibility to, first of all, recognize that injustice has been a part of our society and to seek to try and correct and avoid future injustices as we seek to become united as a country,” said Rudy McCollum.
Updated: Sep. 4, 2022 at 5:27 PM EDT
|By Patsy Montesinos
Arriving alive every time they drive is the motto for Teen Driving Solutions school.