🌱 Cost Plus Pharmacy Opens + VWCC Partners With Steel Dynamics

Hello all! Ian here with the Monday edition of the Roanoke Daily. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and are ready for the week ahead. Today's edition includes stories on:

• Firefighters paying a visit to an area nonprofit's career day.
• A new cost plus pharmacy to helps consumer save money.
• And city council candidates share videos on the issues.

But first, today's weather:

Remaining cloudy and warmer.

High: 65 Low: 45.

🏡 Attention, Roanoke real estate pros!

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. The Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department paid a visit to the students at the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center, a nonprofit organization that provides education and services to children and families affected by autism and other learning challenges, this past Friday. The firefighters and paramedics came as part of a career exploration day and children in the middle and high schools got to hear and see demonstrations on equipment as well as go inside the fire trucks and ambulances. "Everyone had a great time as we learned about the job of being a firefighter and paramedic," a representative of the department said. (WSET, BRAAC website)
2. A Roanoke area pharmacist of fifteen years has recently opened his own shop after a decade of dealing with corporate middlemen. James Pate opened Fair Way Pharmacy in July on Sanford Avenue near Towers Mall and said, "It’s an opportunity to step out of that game, and not have to financially support all those middlemen." PAte's pharmacy functions on a simple business approach known as a cost plus pricing model where the business charges their customers the price they paid for a product plus a small, transparent markup. Many times customers find that the prices for medications are cheaper through the cost plus model, which doesn't accept insurance to avoid price controls by the above mentioned middlemen, are cheaper then what they're currently paying. "The prices here, I would be happy for anyone to compare them with any price offered at another pharmacy," Pate said. (Roanoke Times, Fair Way Pharmacy)
3. The whopping 11 candidates running for the four open Roanoke City Council seats in the upcoming election took part in a forum at the Neighbors in South Roanoke meeting to at South Roanoke UMC recently. Dalton Baugess, David Bowers, Joe Cobb, Nick Hagen, Jamaal Jackson, Maynard Keller, Peg McGuire, Luke Priddy, Vivian Sanchez-Jones, Preston Tyler, and Peter Volosin all took turns at their individual microphones introducing themselves and talking about their positions on the issues facing the Star City including a sharp rise in violent crime. To watch their introductions and responses click the link. (Roanoke Times)
4. Virginia Western Community College's School of Career and Corporate Training recently partnered with area manufacturer Steel Dynamics to offer classes at their facility and that has turned into an positive unexpected opportunity for both entities. Steel Dynamics has over 400 employees in Roanoke and is one of the nation's largest domestic steel producers and metal recyclers according to their website. With the success of the recent partnership the company has now launched a full employee recruitment and development program with Virginia Western at their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics building. "We believe this is a really good investment in our people and our future. Investing in your employees pays dividends," said Derrick Walls, Melt/Cast Manager at Steel Dynamics. (Roanoke Star, Steel Dynamics website)

Today in Roanoke:

• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• The Roanoke Collaboration Meet & Greet at The Green Goat (5:30 p.m.)
• Essentials of Practice at Uttara Yoga Studio (5:30 p.m.)
• Disco Tone at Glow Healing Arts (6 p.m.)
• Books & Beans Book Club presented by Book No Further at Little Green Hive (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke, VA - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets: "Please spread the word! Sebastian was LOST on September 30, 2022 in Roanoke, VA 24017 near Food Lion & Sheetz! Description: Husky black rings around eyes black stripe down back and white tipped tail For more info or to contact Sebastian's owner by clicking the link." (Roanoke, VA - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Night Owl on the Town kickoff tonight. Thank you to everyone supporting us. We couldn't do it without you! 🧡" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "🎶 We had a fabulous orchestra rehearsal for THE SECRET GARDEN today! Woohoo! we are ready to rock! 🎵 🎟 Get your tickets today at virginiachildrenstheatre.org!" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "As part of the 24th annual Ghost Walks presented by the Salem Museum, this year's tours will feature a special Sign Language Interpreted Ghost Walk Tour on Thursday, October 6 through Salem's East Hill Cemetery. Advance reservations are needed!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Shield Chaplaincy: "Officers, next time I see you I will have one of these dogs with me. 😊 — Chaplain Potter" (Shield Chaplaincy via Facebook)

Alrighty. you're all set for today. I'll see you 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. Usually.

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