🌱 Downtown Summer Refreshment Zone + Future US Route 460 Survey

Hey, everybody! Happy Friday Jr. It's Ian and I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening in town. Keep reading for the latest.

First, today's weather:

Heavy thunderstorms. Let's face it... we're due for this after an otherwise incredible week.

High: 88 Low: 63.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. A man charged with murder for striking the driver of a moped while fleeing from a police officer has been found guilty in the August 9, 2021 incident that occurred in the Clifton Forge area. Michael Wolfe, 25, will be sentenced in September for charges including second degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident. (WDBJ)
2. Beginning June 10 and lasting until July 31, designated areas in Downtown Roanoke will become known as The Summer Refreshment Zone. Within The Summer Refreshment Zone and participating businesses public drinking will be allowed from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and weekends. Some of the participating restaurants are Benny Marconi's, Jack Brown's and Alexandro's Mexican Grill. (WSLS 10)
3. According to recent demographic data, almost 100,000 residents in the Roanoke area are renters and those renters account for more than 2,000 applications for Pandemic Rent Relief, a program that closed to new applicants on May 15. Since then, local judges like Francis Burkart have been extending the eviction cases of those who have applied as funds take around 1 1/2 months to arrive from the date of the application. "That program is ending, but it’s helped out a lot of people. If the rent relief program comes through and everybody is satisfied, then nobody needs to be here.” (Roanoke Times)
4. The Roanoke County Department of Planning and Zoning is hosting a Future of US Route 460 survey until May 31. The county government is specifically looking for ideas on how to improve the uber busy Route 460 corridor where Orange Avenue becomes Challenger Avenue near Famous Anthony's and Chick-fil-A, which is the source of many accidents and backups due to the volume of traffic. Roanoke County’s Assistant Director of Planning, Megan Cronise, said, “What we are looking at in the next step is looking at all the data that we are collecting in this process to put a new recommendation map together." (WSLS 10)
5. Carilion Clinic has partnered with Roanoke County to offer the Wilderness Medicine Fellowship in order to prepare physicians for outdoor emergencies such as the recent fall from the summit of McAfee's Knob. Dr. C.J. Waasdorp, a physician with Carilion Clinic, said, "We train in wilderness and environmental conditions, so things you might experience in outdoor settings — hypothermia, heat stroke or heat illnesses, snake bite, altitude illnesses.” The program is the only one of its kind in the region. (WSLS 10)
6. A local business owner is frustrated with Roanoke City Police after its failure to find and arrest a recent shooter. Shots rang out in broad daylight near Best Auto Sales in Northwest Roanoke on Tuesday and several cars on the lot were hit. Besmullah Wahidi was on site with his son and some customers at the time of the shooting and said, "Somebody comes and shoots at you and they can’t find them. That is shameful." Wahidi's dealership along with several others in the area have been targeted by burglars in the past, but he says this is worse because it is life threatening. (WSLS 10)

Today in Roanoke:

• Clean Up at Fishburn Parkway with FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge (10 a.m.)
• Party in Elmwood (5:30 p.m.)
• The Embers featuring Craig Woolard at Downtown Roanoke, Inc. (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke says "This female white-breasted Nuthatch was brought to us from Salem after she was found on the ground injured — her injuries suggest she was caught by a cat. She has only been here a few days but this #bird has made massive improvements." (Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA says "Lucky has the best #tongueouttuesday🐶! #asafeshelter #rvspca #roanokevalleyspca #roanokeva #roanokevalley #animalshelter #adoptdontshop #animals #animalrescue #shelter #rescue #adopt #adoption #pets #animallover #animal #animalrescuer." (Instagram)
• Roanoke City Public Schools says "We need your help as we select Garden City Elementary School's next principal! Please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked below. The survey will only remain open until June 4 at midnight, so take a few minutes now." (Facebook)
• VA Museum of Transportation "is hosting three summer camps this year! Each camp's registration deadline is extended one week prior to the start date." (Instagram)
• Virginia State Parks: says "This #TrailQuest Tuesday we remind you to join us on the trail for #NationalTrailsDay this Saturday! Find events to attend in our link in bio OR just hit the next trail you've had on your #VaStateParks list!" (Instagram)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you all tomorrow morning 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