🌱 11th Annual 'Body, Mind, Spirit Fest' + Remembering McAfee Victim

Hello and Happy Saturday, friends! I'm back this morning to walk you through what's happening locally. Today you'll find news about:

• Partnership for Community Wellness is hosting Recovery Ready Congregations Initiative.
• Maryland man sentenced for suppressors and fake pills.
• Rabid fox found in Roanoke.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 83 Low: 58.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Partnership for Community Wellness is hosting an event called the Recovery Ready Congregations initiative, and are inviting representatives from all religious congregations in the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany region. The organization received grant funding from the Virginia Department of Health's Overdose-to-Action initiative to support this event. The focus of the event is to provide information and resources to religious communities that respond to addiction with compassionate support. The workshop will cover various topics including an overview of Recovery Ready Congregations, Addiction 101, a panel of experts discussing opioids, stimulants, and THC, pathways to recovery from addiction, Narcan training, and local addiction recovery resources. The event will take place on June 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Carilion Children's Center at Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke, and registration is required. (WDBJ)
2. The 11th 'Body, Mind, Spirit Fest' in Roanoke is a weekend-long festival focused on wellness and mindfulness practices. It will take place from June 9-11 at the Unity of Roanoke Valley church. The festival offers various spiritual rituals such as cacao ceremonies, kirtan, drum circles, and guided labyrinth walks. Attendees can also seek guidance from healers specializing in energy, sound, and Reiki, as well as astrologers and intuitive readers. There will be opportunities to purchase jewelry, artwork, crystals, eco-friendly products, and essential oils. On Saturday, there will be two wellness presentations every hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The presentations cover various topics such as love, light language, meditation, clairvoyance, essential oils, human design, angelic channeling, shamanic journey, and soul symbols. Tickets can be purchased at the door, with admission fees of $7 per day or $10 for a weekend pass. (WFXR)
3. A Maryland man named Milford Washington has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in illegal activities. He sold seven suppressors to an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) who posed as a buyer. Court documents revealed that Washington had already sold the suppressors and was planning to ship 13 more to the Roanoke address provided by the undercover agent. In addition to the suppressors, Washington also sold approximately 800 counterfeit Percocet pills to the ATF, some of which were found to contain fentanyl upon analysis. Earlier this year, Washington pleaded guilty to transporting an unregistered suppressors across state lines. As a result, he has been sentenced to 72 months (or 6 years) in federal prison. (WSLS)
4. Christian 'Chris' Lambert, a 17-year-old high school student, tragically lost his life on May 26 at McAfee Knob. His family has decided to release his identity and share more about his life. Described as someone who brightened the world with his smile, Chris was known for his outgoing yet introverted personality. He was just weeks away from graduating from Patrick Henry High School and had plans for a bright future. Chris worked at Texas Roadhouse throughout his high school years and formed strong bonds with his coworkers, considering them as family. His family emphasizes the impact he had on others and how he brought different families together. Although the incident is still under investigation, Chris's family wishes to remember him for his positive influence and the potential he possessed. (WDBJ)
5. The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts issued an alert about a fox that tested positive for rabies in the Brandon Lane area. This is the fourth confirmed case of rabies in the RCAHD in 2023, which is typical for this time of year. According to the Code of Virginia 3.2-6521, pet owners are legally required to keep their dogs and cats aged four months and older up to date with rabies vaccinations. To ensure safety, citizens are advised not to approach or touch wild or stray animals and to report any unusual animal behavior to their local animal control dispatcher. If anyone has information about potential contact between humans or animals and the infected fox, they are urged to contact the RCAHD Environmental Health Division or Roanoke City Animal Control. (WSET)

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Today in Roanoke:

Saturday, June 10

• Daylily Sale and Exhibit (9 a.m.)
• Green Film Festival Junior (2 p.m.)
• PBR Celebration Party - Roanoke City Special Events (5 p.m.)
• Olde Salem Backyard Olympics - Roanoke City Special Events (5:30 p.m.)
• M.F.A. Dance Performance I - Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Botetourt County Sheriff's Office: "Hi Gala! I was found lost and alone out near Dagger Springs. Looks like I have been lost for a bit so Sgt Crowder has taken me to Angels of Assisi for some loving care. ❤️ Do you know if anyone out there is looking for me? XOXO" (Botetourt County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Bloop! This tiny tyke is a Common Snapping Turtle that we returned to the wild after she stayed at the Center over the winter. She is less than a year old currently, but if she is successful in life she could live over a hundred years!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "We're just a week away from the Darius Rucker concert! 🤩 Let's go over some details. Schedule & performers Gates Open: 6:00pm | Show begins: 8:00pm Show Opener: Drew Green Headliner: Darius Rucker *Schedule is subject to change." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)
• PLAY Roanoke: "Our parks staff recently had the opportunity to demo battery-operated equipment in Elmwood Park. Some of the benefits of equipment like this include quieter operation, less maintenance, and their environmental friendly nature of course!" (PLAY Roanoke via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all Tuesday morning for your next update!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman. To connect with Ian, you can visit him on Facebook and Instagram. He doesn't bite. Except on full moons.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com