🌱 Evans Spring Development Rumors + TAP Grades For Guns Event

Good morning, everybody! It's time the dreaded Monday edition of the Roanoke Daily! But maybe this time around won't be so bad as it's so close to Christmas. Today you'll learn about...

• Man found shot in SW Roanoke
• Pedestrian fatalities continue
• AOA Mega Adoption Event

Ho ho here we go? (I know **GROAN**, but it's the best I could do. It's Monday, remember?)

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun.

High: 44 Low: 27.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. First the bad news, pedestrian deaths continue to rise in the Roanoke region with the identity of the hit and run victim on Salem Turnpike being recently released. Maurice “Lamont” Baker, 42, of Roanoke, was walking along the road on Thanksgiving Day when his family says he was hit by a car. Police found his body next to the road the next morning, but have yet to locate the vehicle and driver who hit him. Baker's death marks the 18th person to be killed in 2022 in the area, a 260% increase from 2021 when only 5 people died. Caitlyn Cline, Roanoke Police Department's public information officer, said of Baker's death, "It's still an active investigation. The fatality investigators are working diligently on this case." (Roanoke Times)
2. Roanoke city Police were called to the scene of a person who had been shot in the 1400 block of Chapman Ave. SW. shortly after 7 p.m. on Friday. When they arrived, officer found a man with what appeared to be a non-critical gunshot wound and Roanoke Fire EMS took the man to Roanoke Memorial for treatment. At the time of writing no additional information was available, no arrest had been made, and police were asking for anyone with any information to please come forward. (WDBJ)
3. Grades For Guns, a program hosted by Total Action for Progress, gave away free school supplies ahead of the start of the new school semester. The event is aimed at reducing gun violence in the Star City by meeting the essential needs of families and individuals, particularly youth, who may otherwise turn to crime. Jason Hairston, a representative of TAP, said the idea behind the event is that so many school supply events happen before the beginning of each new school year, but very few in the middle when perhaps families need to replace some worn out items and can instead put those funds into gifts for the holidays. "Just the basic essentials. They may not need a backpack again, but they still need some more of those supplies that they had at the beginning of the school year to help carry them through," he said. Another event is planned for January and a TAP calendar can be found here. (WSLS)
4. The City of Roanoke has named a Charlottesville based architectural firm to hold a series of community meetings about the controversial Evans Springs development located across I-581 from Valley View Mall. Past community forums have shown that adjacent residents do not want to see the sizable property developed, but the city has pressed forward with rumors even being circulated that they were planning to use eminent domain to seize private property, a charge the city says is completely false. "Recent posts on social media have falsely suggested actual development of the site is imminent and that the city will be taking people’s property by using eminent domain. These stories are unfortunate and seem to be an attempt to mislead and frighten the community unnecessarily," a press release said. (Roanoke Times)
5. Angels of Assisi’s MEGA Pet Adoption Event was held over the weekend for families who wanted to bring home an early gift with a wet tongue, a voracious appetite for treats, and very likely noxious gas. Attendees and adoptees got to take photos with Santa and Roanoke Fruit & Produce helped out by giving adopting families free dog food for their new buddies. "At Angels of Assisi, we believe that the holidays are a perfect time to add a new family member to your family, especially a homeless pet," said Lisa O'Neil, AOA's executive director. Several other area animal organization also took part in the vent including the Regional Center of Animal Care and Protection, Franklin County Animal Shelter, Franklin County Humane Society, and Alleghany Humane Society. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Live Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• 7th Annual Grandin Holiday Lights Extravaganza at Historic Grandin Village (6:30 p.m.)
• Messiah Community Sing with Opera Roanoke at South Roanoke UMC (7 p.m.)
• Roanoke City Council meeting and public hearings in City Council Chambers (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "🥺 We need a helping hand!!! 🥺 The Center needs your help now more than ever -- we don't have anything under our Christmas tree for our wildlife patients nor anything to stuff the stockings. If you are doing any last minute holiday shopping pick up something from our Amazon Wishlist!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Butternut enjoys spending time in our offices almost as much as we love having him visit us! One of his favorite things to do is hide under the furniture and stalk his toys. Sounds like a fun #caturday to us!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Thanks to VeloNews & Outside Magazine for spreading the word about the new Gravel Adventure Field Guide for Virginia's Blue Ridge! Bike Virginia's Blue Ridge | Gravel Adventure Field Guide" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Congratulations to Carol A from Roanoke! She’s our lucky winner! Thanks to everyone who came downtown and played. We hope you enjoyed it." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)
• Shield Chap: "Officers — on duty or off — we would love to have you drop by for our open house. Stay 5 minutes; stay an hour. Please bring your loved ones, too. In a world of chaos, I'm grateful my peace is not dependent upon the absence of conflict. Jesus is my peace. He can be your peace, too." (Shield Chap via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! Enjoy this Monday if you can and I'll see you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— 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. Except on full moons.

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