🌱 An Arrest In Botetourt Murder Case + Increase In Area Overdoses

Welcome back, Roanokers! Here's the Saturday edition of the Roanoke Daily to keep you up to date on what's happening around town before you head out the door today, including updates on...

• A workshop for parents of autistic children.
• Funding for a new climate education program.
• And a school bus accident in Botetourt.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a shower.

High: 70 Low: 61.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. A Roanoke man, Matthew Griffin, 47, was arrested for the murder of a woman found dead in the parking lot of a Botetourt County Park & Ride in early October. The body of Elizabeth Hensley, 33, of Roanoke, was found on Oct. 8 at the Glen Wilton Park & Ride by passersby launching a near month long investigation by the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Griffin was arrested after the search of a home he was associated with in Clifton Forge turned up a gun and ammunition likely used in the killing. Detectives said more charges will be added as the investigation continues. (WDBJ)
2. The Botetourt Chamber of Commerce and the Hotel Roanoke recently partnered up to offer the parents of autistic children a workshop to help bridge the gap autistic children can face when transitioning from school age to adulthood. The chamber hosted the event as part of an outreach mission to bring more educational programs to the community. The keynote speaker was Dr. Janet Lintala, a researcher and mother of autistic children. "Twenty-seven years ago, there weren’t quite the resources or internet connections that there are. And it’s been quite a journey to discover that. And so I’m just really passionate about sharing it with other parents in the community," Lintala said. (WSLS)
3. 'Building Heat Resilience in Southwestern Virginia through Education,' a new project led by Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, the City of Roanoke, and Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action was recently awarded $317,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The project is focused on increasing "environmental literacy" in Southwest Virginia, particularly the City of Roanoke, and building resilience to increasing heat waves and higher temperatures in general. The additional funding will help the project expand from a two-week summer school type of program to one that works with teachers and administrators on an ongoing basis to incorporate the curriculum so that more students can benefit from it. (Roanoke Star)
4. A vehicle struck the back of a Botetourt County Public Schools bus Thursday afternoon on Roanoke Road causing traffic to back up for several miles. Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS were called to the scene and the back of the bus had to be jacked up in order to rescue the driver of the vehicle whose car was wedged underneath the back end. No one on the school bus was injured, but the driver of the car was taken by ambulance to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. "We are deeply appreciative of two of our local heavy wrecker companies that immediately responded to provide assistance and ultimately the patient was removed after the bus was lifted off the car," a statement from the department said. (WSET)
5. The Council of Community Services in Roanoke has been seeing an increase in the number of overdoses and addictions across the area with their Williamson Road drop-in center recently logging over 900 people looking for help within the last year. Numbers are expected to climb as the winter months begin. "People use more when they’re depressed, it just goes hand in hand with mental health. Everyone’s mental health is declining, we all have mental health issues that affect us in some way," Lisa Via, the center's harm reduction manager said. The center is collecting food and clothing donation for the winter. (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

• CBiZ Build a Bed and Coat Drive at the Salem Civic Center (8:30 a.m.)
• 6th Annual Run for Donuts at Sherwood Memorial Park (9 a.m.)
• Outdoor Cat Shelter Building and Decorating with The Community Cat Crew (11 a.m.)
• Ginkgo Tree Festival — Celebrating the Oldest Tree on Earth! (11 a.m.)
• Blue Ridge Jamboree by FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge (7 p.m.)
• Town Mountain with Colby Helms & The Virginia Creepers at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department: "It’s a great start to the morning when we can recognize the outstanding work of some of our officers! Officer W. Frosell was awarded a Letter of Commendation for his work responding to a domestic situation over the summer." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Do you remember the sweet little family we showed you a couple weeks ago that included a mother cat and her six kittens? Well, they've all been growing in foster care, and they came back to the shelter for a vet checkup today!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "7:00, wake up. 7:30, stare into the abyss. 8:00, jazzercize; 8:30, breakfast with me. I can't cancel that again. 10:00; hmmm... pictures at the Main Library! Take pictures with the famous Roanoke Gri-NCH at our Main Library!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Have you been to Sidecar in Downtown Roanoke? It's an amazing dining experience with delicious food and drinks and a charming atmosphere. Sign up for the Sweepstakes on our website and you'll be entered to win a $100 gift card to Sidecar!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke Ballet Theatre: "Meet Company Dancer Daniela Sherman! Catch her in our upcoming black box performance and Nutcracker! Originally from Sacramento, California, Daniela trained with the Sacramento Ballet and later joined the Sacramento Ballet Youth Ensemble." (Roanoke Ballet Theatre via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you tomorrow morning with 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com