🌱 Equity Board Inspires Nearby City + Roanoke Most Affordable City

Hello, neighbors! It's Ian, host of the Roanoke Daily. Here's a look at what's going on around town this fine Friday morning.

First, today's weather:

Humid with a thunderstorms. So, par for the course.

High: 85 Low: 71.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke City’s nine person equity board, which is tasked with meeting the city's 2040 equity goals and making sure city policies and laws do not promote inequality, has inspired another area not too far away to follow in its footsteps. Last week, Staunton's interim city manager, Leslie Beauregard, met with Roanoke officials to learn more about the board and its efforts. Vice Mayor and equity board chairman Trish White-Boyd called the meeting a boost in confidence. "They saw the benefit of what we're doing so I think that in and of itself says a lot. They see that what we're doing is making somewhat of a difference, even in our early stages," she said. (WFIR)
2. A 66-year-old resident of Salem, Lois Jean Lester, was killed Wednesday night while trying to cross Route 311, Catawba Valley Drive in the Mason's Cove area of Roanoke County. The event happened around 9 p.m. when Lester was struck by the driver of a Mazda Protégé who was headed north. Lester was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS officials and police say they do not believe drugs, alcohol or excessive speed are at fault. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. (WDBJ)
3. Embattled former Roanoke City Councilman Robert Jeffrey Jr. left the Roanoke City Jail on bond late Wednesday, walked to his mother's car and hugged her for the first time in four and a half months. Jefferey has been held in the facility since being convicted of embezzlement in March in relation to his service as a property manager for a Roanoke-based non-profit. A judge rejected his request for bond earlier in the summer, but a Virginia court of appeals overturned the rejection and ordered the judge to set bond. As part of the bond, the judge said Jeffrey must stay at home except for medical and legal appointments. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Shari Mason suggested a much higher bond then was issued saying, "He quite honestly just steals from people." (Roanoke Times)
4. GoBankingRates.com has named the Star City the most affordable city on the east coast with the highest quality of living based on data from numerous east coast states. According to the financial website and the data it gathered it costs about $50,000 to live a quality life in the Roanoke area, which is $10,000 less than the national average. "It’s nice to see validation of what we’ve known for quite some time, which is the Roanoke region is a great place for talent, and it’s a great place for business. The low cost of living, the exciting things to do, the wonderful quality of life, the mix of mountain and metro, the art and culture all factor into it," said Executive Director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership John Hull. (WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

• Children's Literature Designer and Illustrator Sasha Illingworth at Hollins (9 a.m.)
• Roanoke Regional Professionals Network Quarterly Social at Olde Salem Brewing (4 p.m.)
• Dylan Dent at Friday Food Truck & Tunes event at Sweet Donkey Coffee (6 p.m.)
• Virginia Made Wine Dinner at The River and Rail (6 p.m.)
• Game Night at Verses (7 p.m.)
• Earthbound Creatures & The Thrillbillyz at The Penthouse at Center in the Square (8 p.m.)
• Hank Williams Jr. at the Salem Civic Center (8 p.m.)
• Eric Wayne Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "We need new nets! One of the wonderful (and terrible) things that happens about wildlife rehab is you can NEVER expect what happens next. One minute everything is going smoothly... another minute one of your squirrel patients escapes!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Sometimes a little brotherly love is just what the doctor ordered to help nervous kitties come out of their shell! " (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Pet Patrons are the backbone of the Roanoke Valley SPCA - this elite group of donors make monthly contributions to offset the cost of daily care for the cats and dogs residing at the shelter." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley: "And just like that, here we are at the halfway point for this year's WSLS 10 / WSLS.com "Home for Good"!" (Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all set for today. See you tomorrow morning and happy Friday!

— 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