🌱'Fashion for Evergreens' Competition + Fallen Heroes Christmas Tree

Good morning and happy turkey day, fellow Roanokers! Here's a fresh copy of the Roanoke Daily with a look at what's happening around town in addition to turkey, including...

• Police investigating bodies in Lansdowne Park residence
• Lord Botetourt High School closure
• Beloved Vinton music store is back

Gobble gobble!

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny.

High: 59 Low: 41.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke City Police are investigating the deaths of two people found in a residence in the Lansdowne Park area of Northwest Roanoke. Early reports indicate that officers were called to the residence earlier that same day for a wellness check. The housing in the area is managed by the City of Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority and a representative said the agency was cooperating with the investigation. RCPD Captain David Morris said the deaths do not appear to pose a danger to the public and appear to be the results of drug overdoses. (WSLS)
2. Over 25 local businesses and organizations are participating in this year’s “Fashion for Evergreens” competition at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. The competition sees numerous Christmas trees line the entrance halls of the hotel and proceeds go to benefit the United Way. "We got some fabulous concepts here for our Christmas trees, our adopted trees by these local organizations are really doing a wonderful job for United Way of Roanoke Valley. We think that the folks here in greater Roanoke are going to be thrilled," said Brian Wells, Hotel Roanoke's general manager. Voting for the best tree starts on Thanksgiving Day and a professional photographer will be on hand for family photos on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. (WDBJ)
3. Sirens and Salutes, a Buchanan-based nonprofit, knows the holidays can be difficult for people who are mourning lost loved ones and the families of fallen heroes are no exception. The organization is remembering men and women killed in the line of duty with its Annual Fallen Heroes Christmas Tree including Covington police officer Caleb Ogilvie and Bridgewater police officer John Painter who both lost their lives in shooting incidents in 2022. Each year an ornament is hung on the tree with the name of someone killed in the line of duty and this year there are 268 ornaments, including police officers, firefighters, military, K-9s, and even a police horse. The tree can be viewed as a part of Hotel Roanoke’s "Fashions for Evergreens." (WSLS)
4. Lord Botetourt High School was unexpectedly closed Tuesday morning when people inside noticed a strange odor that was deemed as possible gas leak. Students were evacuated from the premises, buses were turned around, and parents told to arrange pickup. Botetourt County Schools provided the regular transportation services to get students back to their starting destinations and maintenance people were called to look into the matter. Around 4 p.m. an email was sent revealing the odor had been from a rooftop HVAC unit and that it had been repaired, allowing afternoon activities to commence. (WDBJ)
5. D.R. Music has been in business in Vinton for over 35 years and spent most of that time in the historic brick building on the corner of South Pollard and East Lee Avenue that tragically burned down in July, displacing the business as well as the residents in the apartments above. But now the business is back up and running again just in time for Christmas shopping. Owners Donnie and Rhonda Wray have relocated to 128 North Pollard St., a block down the road from the previous location, and have rebuilt their inventory. They continue to sell guitars and other stringed instruments as well as a full line of band accessories for area students. (Vinton Messenger)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Roanoke:

• Drumstick Dash 5K Run and Walk at Rivers Edge Park (8:30 a.m.)

And, ummm, that's it because it's Thanksgiving. Go eat some turkey. Gobble, gobble.

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Last week, ROTEC — Roanoke Technical Education Center — Culinary Arts students prepared grab-n-go food for the current residents of the Ronald McDonald House here in Roanoke. Students prepared turkey, cream cheese, cranberry wraps, PBJ sandwiches, fruit cups, and Rice Krispy treats." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government: "This spring damage to the NW Rugby Pillars was brought to the city’s attention. Price Francisco built these pillars for the Rugby Land Co. in 1916, which served as the gateway to the Rugby-Melrose Neighborhood. Over a 100 years later they are still cherished by residents and the City of Roanoke was able to obtain the services of Kelly Francisco Stone Masonry to make repairs. Kelly is the great grandchild of the original creator and is 4th generation of stone masons in the Francisco family." (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Elmwood on Ice opens tomorrow! ❄️⛸ The rink opens to the public at 11 a.m. Skate admission is $6 and skate rental is $2. For more information, visit ElmwoodOnIce.com!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)
• Roanoke Regional Chamber: "Sweet Donkey Coffee's new Homestead Creamery, Inc Eggnog Latte is Christmas in a cup! A perfect jolt of caffeine to start our member drop-ins. ⚡ ☕ On #SmallBizSat, stop by for their Holiday Gift Market with 12+ local artisans and makers!" (Roanoke Regional Chamber via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "Meet the cast of 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.' Adult professional actor, Craig Smith, returns to VCT to play Gaston (you may recognize him from 'MADAGASCAR') and VCT youth actor, Calan Johnson, will play his sidekick LeFou." (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for this Turkey Day. 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