🌱 Councilman Denied Release + Tinker Mountain Fire Burning

Hi all! It's me, Ian, host of the Roanoke Daily — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in the community today. Here's the lowdown.

First, today's weather:

Hot with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

High: 93 Low: 74.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke Grocery Market on Melrose Avenue held a grand reopening Tuesday after finishing renovations made necessary when the building roof collapsed under the weight of a snow storm in January 2022. Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea was on hand for the ribbon cutting and owner Hashim Alamurri said, "It was tremendous love that I felt from everyone in Roanoke. And that is a blessing in itself.” (WDBJ)
2. A 14-year-old-boy who was reported missing Wednesday afternoon has been found safe. Jake Brubaker went missing in the Muddy Fork area of Franklin County around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. (WDBJ)
3. A Roanoke City Councilman who lost his seat when he plead guilty to financial crimes has been denied release and could face anywhere from 22 to 57 months behind bars when he is sentenced. Robert Jeffrey, Jr. was accused of stealing $200,000 from the Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization, a nonprofit organization based in Roanoke where he worked as a property manager. The latest information on the case came to light during a bond hearing Monday. (Roanoke Times)
4. A fire was found burning Tuesday morning along the Appalachian Trail on Tinker Mountain in Botetourt County. Believed to be the result of a lightning strike during recent storms, the fire is being battled by the US Forest Service along with area fire crews including Troutville, Fincastle and Eagle Rock Volunteer Fire Departments. (WDBJ)
5. Virginia Western Community College has purchased a Virtual Environment Radiation Trainer (VERT) for Radiation students to practice giving life saving cancer treatments in a virtual lab environment. The equipment was available for use for the first time during the spring semester and was purchased using money made available by Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, a pandemic program designed to increase student access to remote learning. (Roanoker)

Today in Roanoke:

• Gypsy Nix presented by Party at the Pavilion at Daleville Town Center (5 p.m.)
• Party in Elmwood - Roanoke City Special Events (5:30 p.m.)
• Band of Oz @ Elmwood Park presented by Downtown Roanoke, Inc. (5:30 p.m.)
• Crank Sisters Social Ride with Cardinal Bicycle (6 p.m.)
• R&B Karaoke by DJ Showtime at 2 Chill (7:30 p.m.)
• Memphis Lightning at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department said, "The Rapid Engagement of Support in the Event of Trauma (RESET) Team walked in the 700 block of Hunt Avenue NW earlier today, providing support and services to residents after a recent act of gun violence occurred in the area." (Roanoke Police Department - VA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA said, "Kacey (formerly Lee) is loving life in her adoptive home! Her adopters decided to do a DNA test to see just what breed or breeds are in Kacey's genetics. They even threw her the cutest gene reveal party!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department said, "Last week, our crews from 1B rescued a local resident from an elevator downtown. The photo on the left is the one she captured as they opened the elevator doors, and on the right are the same guys after receiving the note and bag of coffee she sent to thank them." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke said, "A beautiful release! This beautiful Wood Duck arrived on death’s door over a month ago after he was hit by a car. For weeks he was completely unable to fly at all — and here you can see he has no problem flying out of the box on his way home!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools would like to say "Congratulations, Mrs. Johnson! For those who don't know, Whitney Johnson will be moving to Central Office this summer to be RCPS' Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts, where she will support theatre, music, art, and more in all our schools!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools would also like to say "Congratulations to Ford Beasley for being named the male winner of the Roanoke Jewish Federation B’nai B’rith Athletic and Achievement Award, and to Micah Jones for winning the Artie Levin Personal Life Award!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government said, "With temperatures estimated to be in the mid to upper 90's this week, here are a few things to remember to avoid heat-related illness and beat the heat: Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated!" (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA wants you to know "Our shelter will be closed next Wednesday, June 22nd, for a day of training. We've got some exciting updates including a new shelter software system! We're finally moving away from our old DOS based system to a new software!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Market Building said, "The past few years have been tough on our vendors and our building in many different ways, so we are very excited at what the future brings as we welcome The Hatch to the City Market Building. We hope you enjoy!" (Roanoke City Market Building via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— 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