🌱 Afghan Warfighter Reunited With Teammates + City Council Flip Flop

Morning, everybody! It's time for the Saturday edition. I hope Friday was good to you and that you're enjoying the Roanoke Daily in general. If you know anyone at an area company or organization who may be interested in sponsoring the newsletter, I'd be grateful for any introductions as it helps keep this sustainable and in your inbox every morning. Feel free to email me directly at patch.roanoke.daily@gmail.com. Likewise, please recommend this newsletter to your friends and family. It's free! Without further ado, here's today's stories, including:

• Former Roanoker proprietor publishes new cookbook
• Roanoke Federal Court charges against man plotting to kill POTUS
• County firefighters remind residents about CO detectors

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

A thick cloud cover.

High: 45 Low: 38.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. A member of Afghanistan's elite Female Tactical Platoon who helped track down Taliban leaders with U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces was reunited at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport with the soldiers who supported her and trained her. Sima Alizada came to America with the help of the Blacksburg Refugee Partnership, the PenFed Foundation, and the Secular Society to begin a new life with her son after the death of her husband who was fighting alongside her for Afghanistan. "As a single mom who’s raising a 3-year-old son and then also who’s lost her husband during everything that is going on, while she was pregnant, it’s amazing to see where she is now and what she is able to do," said Becca Moss, a member of the U.S. Army Cultural Support Team and Alizada's sponsor. (WSLS)
2. Members of Roanoke City Council have decided to revise its request to state lawmakers in regard to rolling back criminal justice reforms after a stern backlash from city residents. The council unanimously voted last month to approve language in its 2023 legislative agenda that would return the use of no-knock warrants but voted again this week to strip that language from the document saying it was a misunderstanding. The remainder of the request, which allows police to pull over vehicles for minor offenses and to returns the power of sentencing to juries, is to remain intact. (WFIR)
3. Authorities have charged Kevin C. Butler with threatening to kill the President of the United States in Roanoke Federal Court after an affidavit was sworn out by an agent of the U.S. Secret Service. According to court records, the investigation began when Butler phoned a Virginia Beach based state probation officer and left a voicemail stating his intentions. Secret Service agent Jeffrey Norman wrote in the affidavit that "Butler stated he is an anarchist and believes he must kill President Biden because of the evil that has been done by the military and actions taken by former President Obama when Biden was vice president." Butler was interviewed at Catawba Hospital where he made numerous threatening statements and references to recent mass shootings. Butler's exact place of residence and age were not available. (Roanoke Times)
4. Roanoke County officials are reminding residents about the importance of having a properly working carbon monoxide detector in their homes after Roanoke County Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a CO alarm sounding Thursday afternoon. Firefighters found high levels of CO in the home upon arriving, determined the source to be the gas log fireplace inside, and evaluated a resident for possible need of treatment. The home was ventilated and the department later issued a statement that said, "CO is odorless, colorless, and is deadly. This is why you should have a CO alarm in your home! Great job to the homeowner for having an alarm!" (WSET)
5. The former owner of The Roanoker, which closed its doors earlier this year, has written and published a cookbook titled "81 Years of Food and Family" featuring many of the restaurant's most beloved dishes. Butch Craft said, "We wanted to do it because the Warrens that started the restaurant were such great people. And we wanted to honor the fact that we were in business 81 years. Because we couldn’t carry the restaurant on due to numerous circumstances, it makes me feel good that we’ve honored our history." The book is part cookbook and part memoir and is available to order at Roanoke's independent bookstore, Book No Further, just in time to be placed under the Christmas tree. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Salem Holiday Market at the Salem Civic Center (9 a.m.)
• Skate with Santa at WDBJ7's Elmwood on Ice (1 p.m.)
• Southwest Virginia Ballet presents 'The Nutcracker' at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
• Buchanan Christmas Parade in Downtown Buchanan (5 p.m.)
• Salem Red Sox movie night: "Elf" at the Salem Red Sox (7 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Birmingham Bulls at the Berglund Center Coliseum (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Outside: "Grab your raincoat, headlamp, and bundle up to explore one of the newest and most unique hikes in Virginia this Saturday! The Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail features almost a mile long tunnel that runs underneath Rockfish Gap!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: "Our VMT family, alongside our wonderful vendors, had such a joyful time celebrating the holidays with you and yours at our Annual Candy Cane Express Event! 🎅🏻🚂 We're excited to share your Santa photos with you! See the link in our bio." (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Instagram)
• Jack Browns Roanoke: "Tis' the season, ❄️☃️ come on down and give the gift of warmth by donating coats, hats, and gloves! 🧥🧣🧤Lend a hand, give a can 🥫 while you enjoy some of our new seasonals from your favorite breweries 🍻" (Jack Browns Roanoke via Instagram)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Still looking for a fun activity to do with your kiddo this Saturday? Stop by our Gainsboro Branch Library for Saturday Kids Crafts! This program is best for kids 5-11 years old; younger are welcome, but will need an adult with them." (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

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There you go my friends! You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning!

— 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com