🌱 Fifth Anniversary Of Rail In Roanoke + 'Love Letters' Production

Hello, fellow Roanokers! I'm back with a fresh edition of the Roanoke Daily. In today's briefing, I have these stories and more...

• An update on voter numbers
• A short-film and discussion about a civil rights activist
• And Carilion to take over more of Tanglewood Mall

Ready?

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High:

67 Low: 50.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Election officials in Roanoke say that by the time people head out the door to cast their votes in person on Nov. 8 many thousands will have already voted. Numbers of early voters and absentee ballots have been climbing steadily for the last month with over 7,000 ballots having already been cast. Roanoke Director of Elections Andrew Cochran said, "I think it speaks the best of our Democracy when people take advantage of the rights that they have, that people in other countries don’t have. So come out and let your voice be heard with your vote." If the election season has snuck up on you a new feature this year is same day registration so don't let that stop you. (WDBJ)
2. The Melrose Branch Library, the NAACP, and the GWFC Star Women's Club recently hosted a free movie and discussion night centered around Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist whose name isn't as well-known as other such activists. "Hamer was a force to be reckoned with in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. Her tenacity and persistence inspired people to join the movement to fight for the rights we have today," said a press release about the event. The film is titled "Fannie Lou Hamer's America — Beyond The Lens" and can be streamed on PBS platforms everywhere and the discussion featured Brenda Hale, the president of Roanoke's chapter of the NAACP. (WSLS)
3. The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and Amtrak are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the return of rail service to Roanoke. Oct. 31, 2017, marked the first time since 1979 that a passenger train left Roanoke for points beyond and since then nearly 900,000 people have used the service to travel to Washington D.C. and other places. "The success of our state-supported service in Roanoke is a great example of how local communities can work with the Commonwealth and our rail partners to provide rail service that Virginians want and need,” said DJ Stadtler, executive director of VPRA. “Our mission is to expand passenger rail service throughout the Commonwealth and that begins with strong partnerships like what we have with Roanoke.” (Roanoke Star)
4. The Berglund Center has announced that a new live production of A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" will be coming to the stage in February. The production stars 'I Dream of Jeannie' actress Barbara Eden and noted film and television actor Barry Bostwick. The story is described as "a funny and emotional portrait about the powerful connection of love" and tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 4 at the Berglund Center box office and website. (WDBJ)
5. Carilion Clinic has announced a plan to move its outpatient behavioral health services to a 37,000-square-foot space in Tanglewood Mall by next fall. The move comes after children's services were consolidated at the former retail center over the last year and now the mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults will take up two floors of the mostly vacant mall. The renovations needed to make the space suitable are expected to cost $11 million and Carilion officials said they expect about 800 people a week to use the facility once it's open. (Cardinal News)

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Today in Roanoke:

• West End Wednesdays at Golden Cactus Brewing (4 p.m.)
• Bourbon & BBQ Fundraiser at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (6 p.m.)
• Views and Brews presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures (6 p.m.)
• Lecture: “Implications of the Midterm Elections: A View of Democracy in America” at Roanoke College (7:30 p.m.)
• Space Koi at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Thank you to everyone who adopted pets this past week, Oct. 24-29. Happy Tails and Happy Halloween to you all! Pictured are a few of the pets who went home! 💜" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government: "Shout out to the Roanoke Solid Waste Management team for picking up almost 22 tons of bulk trash, and over 30 tires in Southeast Roanoke on Saturday!" (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "We’re super glad to say that every kid that visited our costume swap this past Saturday left with a costume! Thank you to all of our patrons who donated, we can’t wait to open up shop again next year!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "November, here we come! This week at Virginia Children’s Theatre, we are kicking off 'Beauty and the Beast' rehearsals for our MainStage, celebrating a successful Fall Academy 2022 with our Student Showcases, and continuing our Residency Programs with the public schools in our city!" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Instagram)

You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next 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