🌱 Early Voting Begins in Virginia + Parents React to School Threats

Good morning, friends! It's Sunday in Roanoke (and everywhere else for that matter.) I hope you're all having a relaxing weekend and that you've found something to do or explore. In this edition you'll read about:

• The little sports field painting robot that could...
• For whom and what the fire station bell tolls...
• And how an area healthcare company is taking on the nursing shortage...

Let's do it!

But first, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around in the p.m.

High: 78 Low: 57.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. If you've visited Roanoke's River's Edge Park recently for a soccer or football game or maybe just to take a walk you might have noticed (but let's face it, probably didn't because who really pays attention to such things) just how crisp and perfect the lines on the field were painted. All of that is thanks to a little, potbellied robot named 'Puff' designed by a Danish company called Turf Tank. So, Puff the Turf Tank is helping to make life easier for those employed at River's Edge and is also helping the environment and the city's bottom line by saving paint. "I remember the days, there’s three of us here at River’s Edge Park that’s stationed here full time, and we’d be out here all day just painting one football field,” said Will Cole, the park's grounds manager. "[With Puff] I use two gallons of paint on the flag football field, five gallons of paint on a full-sized football field. With a normal machine driven painter, we’re looking at five to 10 gallons per field." Puff is run remotely with a tablet app by a single operator and has also helped many municipalities during the labor shortage. (WDBJ, Turf Tank website)
2. The day after several local and state officials responded to the numerous threats made against area schools, many parents are now voicing their concerns and opinions on the matter, including asking officials to do more to protect children at schools. In a video taped response to the incidents Superintendent Verletta White issued some threats of her own including the cancellation of events like ball games and dances if the threats, which all turned out to be false, continued, but parent Alexis Lee says "That’s going to make it worse. You’re trying to punish these children as a whole. Not every child is guilty of these things and that’s not fair. It’s like you just want to have a quick fix. What are you teaching those children then?" Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare’s Director of Child, Youth and Family Services, Cathy Brown agrees. "It’s really hard to focus on your academics when there is a perceived threat and rumors go around. And I think that may just be as bad as whatever the situation might be," she said. Instead of issuing threats parents are calling on school leaders to enforce other safety measures, like clear book bags and metal detectors in hopes of preventing the problems from the beginning. (WSLS, WDBJ)
3. Early voting began across Virginia on Friday and most of the 11 candidates running for the four open Roanoke City Council seats made appearances at the Roanoke City Registrar’s Office to greet voters. Director of Elections Andrew Cochran said, "June, of course, was a primary so that was much lighter. I’d have to look back, but this is a good day, not as much as presidential obviously, but a really good turnout for the first day of early voting.” Voter Paulette Lawson echoes those feelings when she came to vote. "Voting is such a privilege, and this election is so very important. I just wanted to get my vote in and counted." To vote early in-person, voters should go to the general registrar’s office for the jurisdiction where they are registered, present their ID, and cast a ballot.(WDBJ, WDBJ, Virginia Dept. of Elections website)
4. A bell that sat in the bell tower of Roanoke's Fire Station Number One, which has recently been remodeled and turned into a small business showcase of sorts, has also been given new life after being lifted out of the tower by crane, sandblasted, and mounted on a mobile trailer. Roanoke City Fire Chief David Hoback said "the bell signified, back in the day, when the trucks would go in service and out of service, stations would go in service and out of service, or when we had one of our firefighters fall. Today we're going to ring the bell to put this station back in service and we also have a funeral coming up for one of our retired firefighters. So, it's a very important part of what our fire department is all about." As a small crowd watched, Retired Deputy Fire Chief Ralph Tartaglia rang the bell Friday morning signifying the reopening of Fire Station Number One. (Roanoke Times)
5. In an effort to address the nursing shortage that is affecting hospitals across the country including Roanoke's LewisGale Hospital, HCA Virginia, LewisGale's parent company, is partnering with Galen College of Nursing and offering $800,000 in scholarships for new or current employees to pursue nursing careers at its southwest Virginia facilities. "We have had to get incredibly creative and innovative on how to staff our hospitals,” said LewisGale Medical Center's chief nursing officer, Amy Woods. "How do we entice the younger generations to want to be nurses? It starts at a very early age. This scholarship money is a huge encouragement." If you or anyone you know might be interested in a career in nursing with LewisGale or any of HCA's hospitals the link to find out more is here. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Sunday Drag Brunch at The Park (12:45 p.m.)
• PedalSafe ROA Launch Party at Sweet Donkey Coffee (3 p.m.)
• Going to the Dogs Event at Greene United Methodist Church (4 p.m.)
• Jackie Bristow & Rick Price at The Spot on Kirk (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Today, Superintendent White presented Safety & Site Security Supervisor Curtis Dudley with a challenge coin to recognize his "unmatched" work ethic and dedication to RCPS." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Meet the most recent graduates of the Roanoke Police Training Academy! They will start their careers in the Patrol Bureau, and will be accompanied by a Field Training Officer until they are released to independent patrol." (Roanoke Police Department - VA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley Television: "Congratulations to Txtur on the opening of their new space in downtown Roanoke's historic fire station. Roanoke Fire EMS Department was on hand to officially turn over the building to new owner, the City of Roanoke." (Roanoke Valley Television via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "The Banff Mountain Film Festival will return to @roanokegofest this year and will be FREE thanks to the sponsorship of @mastgeneralstore. Click the link for Full details!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Our Community Cat Crew is making a BIG effort to help as many cats as possible before winter gets here. During the cold months, Trap-Neuter-Neuter (TNR) is more challenging for outdoor cats. The cold weather can affect their ability to r..." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)

There you have it! Now you're in the loop. I'll see you again bright and early tomorrow!

— 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.

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