🌱 Back 2 School Blast Results + Vinton Eatery Mysteriously Closes

It's Monday again everyone. We got this, though. On the count of three ...

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Now, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around in the p.m.

High: 88 Low: 72.

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Here are the top four stories in Roanoke today:

1. School divisions in the Roanoke area will be getting some help from the new state budget on projects such as maintaining buses, buildings and other properties that often end up being put on hold for lack of funds. The new budget includes a combined $30 million distributed to 12 school divisions in the Roanoke and New River valleys. Roanoke City Public Schools will be putting the more than $4.3 million allotted to it from the state toward debt obligations. "Maintaining school buildings and ensuring they remain safe and effective learning environments over time is a challenge. We have done a good job of keeping school facilities in good working order and have even replaced some schools that were no longer meeting our community’s needs," Chief Financial Officer Kathleen Jackson said in an email. (Roanoke Times)
2. The Rescue Mission and its partner Parkway Church on the Mountain recently hosted Back 2 School Blast, an event that allows teachers to collect school supplies for students in need and set them up for the oncoming school year. This year 110 teachers brought bags and bins to pick up the many pounds of markers, bookbags, pencils and other supplies donated by area residents. "We know that [teachers] deal with different struggles every day and we want them to know how much they are cared for and for them to feel our support," said Stacy Boris, the Roanoke Rescue Mission's Employee Engagement Assistant Director. (WSLS)
3. A seemingly popular downtown Vinton restaurant, Joe Goodpies Brick Oven Eatery, abruptly closed its doors Saturday and did not reopen for business. Employees were met with a sign stating the business was ceasing operations that day at 9 p.m. and Vinton police were on the scene at one point leading to many questions and theories as to what happened. Area reporters reached out to the ownership, but emails and phone calls were not immediately returned. The same company also owned Jersey Lily's on Route 460, which closed last month after many years in business. (WDBJ)
4. Cushman & Wakefield, a major commercial real estate firm with offices around the Roanoke area, said recently that its analysis of the larger Roanoke region, which encompassed both the New River Valley and Lynchburg areas, concluded that retail space in the region is almost 98% leased with investors feeling mostly bullish on the market’s long-term prospects. "The greater Roanoke market continues to see a healthy mix of national and local users in the tenant landscape. Tenants are largely exercising renewal options or looking to expand in the market, quite a change from two short years ago," the issued report said. (Roanoke Times)

Today in Roanoke:

• Cave Spring high School Parent & Student Open House (4 p.m.)
• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Industry Night at Sidecar (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools: "We couldn't have such beautiful schools without our incredible Building Operations teams! Thank you to everyone who works so hard to ensure our students and staff have beautiful facilities." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government: "Check out the beautiful pictures of the art under the bridge at the Bennington Street Greenway Trail Head! I Heart SE." (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "This mom and her six kittens who were only six days old when they came into our shelter are holding their own, despite being quite vulnerable due to their small size. Even mom really needs to put on some weight." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Superintendent White visited the Clearbrook Walmart this morning and was featured on Roanoke County’s video about Load the Bus!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "Earlier this week, the cast of BRAND NEW DAY had their Sitzprobe rehearsal. This was an opportunity for the cast to sing with the orchestra for the first time. Enjoy this clip from Raise You Up. And hurry to grab your tickets!" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• Roanoke Emergency Medical Services, Inc.: "Although is was a rainy stormy evening yesterday we were still providing Stand-By coverage at Elmwood Park Amphitheater for the Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren Concert Thanks to Cody from Mt Pleasant Co. 6 Fire for assist with coverage." (Roanoke Emergency Medical Services, Inc. via Facebook)

Alrighty. Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. I'll see you tomorrow!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. His interests are in politics, history, and religion and the stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.

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