🌱 Fire Station No. 1 Wins State Award + Roanoker Charged In Jan. 6

Hello, friends. I'm back in your inbox this warm morning with what's happening in town. In today's issue, we'll touch on:

• Roanoke Valley community remembers those lost to overdose.
• Bower Heating and Air wins Mill Mountain Star auction.
• Mountain Valley Pipeline equipment destroyed in Boones Mill.

Let's motor! 🚙

But first, today's weather: Plenty of sunshine. High: 87 Low: 62.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke's historic Fire Station No. 1, which served the community for over 100 years before closing a decade ago, has been named one of Preservation Virginia's 2023 Outstanding Preservation Projects after being renovated into a boutique hotel, cafe, furniture store, and event space by Old School Partners and Hill Studio. The prestigious annual awards honor individuals and organizations actively preserving Virginia's historic places for future generations across categories like outstanding preservation, community preservation, research, and achievement. Other 2023 winners include restoration projects at Virginia state parks, the Warm Springs Pools, the Green Cove Train Depot, preservation work by Rick and Susan Humphreys, and Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. (Franklin News Post)
2. The Roanoke Valley community came together on Thursday for International Overdose Awareness Day, with a memorial at the Taubman Museum where people shared stories and pictures of loved ones lost to overdose while therapists provided support. Over 30 local organizations attended to offer resources and assistance, providing hope that solutions exist to address the growing problem. Organizers say such memorials help reduce stigma around addiction and showcase the continuum of care available, from prevention to treatment to long-term recovery. A list of addiction and recovery resources can be found online for those needing help. (WDBJ)
3. The iconic Mill Mountain Star in Roanoke is being temporarily renamed after the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke auctioned off the right to sponsor the landmark. This year's $7,000 winning bid came from Bower Heating and Air. A new plaque was unveiled Thursday outside the 88-foot structure bearing Bower's name. While benefitting Bower's advertising, proceeds from the auction support Kiwanis community programs for kids, seniors, and the environment. This is the third year for the Star sponsorship auction, allowing a local business temporary naming rights to the iconic Roanoke structure and garnering publicity while funding important community causes. (WSLS)
4. Virginia State Police are seeking information on who intentionally set fire to construction equipment being used for the Mountain Valley Pipeline project in Franklin County. The arson occurred around 5 a.m. on Aug. 31 on private property in Boones Mill, destroying two excavation vehicles and causing environmental damage near a stream. Investigators recovered evidence of homemade incendiary devices which will undergo FBI forensic analysis. Tips can be reported anonymously to Virginia State Police at 540-375-9500 or questions@vsp.virginia.gov. The FBI and ATF are assisting the criminal investigation into the pipeline equipment arson. (WDBJ)
5. Two men, Peter Willey of Roanoke and Ethan Mauck of Pennsylvania, were arrested on Aug. 31 on felony and misdemeanor charges related to their alleged actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Willey and Mauck attended the "Stop the Steal" rally then unlawfully entered the Capitol grounds, where video shows them shoving police barriers and equipment towards officers trying to hold back the mob. The men face charges including felony obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and misdemeanors for disruptive conduct and entering restricted areas. They were arrested in Roanoke and made initial court appearances in the Western District of Virginia. (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

Saturday, September 2

• 36th Annual Roanoke Valley Mopar Car Show at the Salem Civic Center (8 a.m.)
• Labor Day Parade presented by America Works in Downtown Roanoke (Noon)
• The Bogey’s at Daleville Town Center (5 p.m.)
• Twin Valleys vs. Fayetteville Roller Derby at the Berglund Special Events Center (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "The soccer-net tangled gray fox is doing so much better and is now outside getting ready for pre-release! The scientific name for this species is Urocyon cinereoargenteus, which means 'tailed-dog and ashy-silver.'" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "Earlier this month, we had five deputies complete the Project Lifesaver Electronic Search Specialist training. Continued training and adding new deputies as search specialist are necessary as we are the only agency within the city to service those within our jurisdiction, and this free service continues to grow." (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Ginger and Mika have both been waiting on their new homes for well over a month now and we would love to see them find their new best friends soon. We know that kittens are very enticing to adopt, but there are also many benefits to adopting older cats." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley: "Branch Builds went out of their way to host Habitat-Roanoke's inaugural #workforcedevelopment class today. Our six-person class was given a full tour to include Branch's main office, the fabricating shop." (Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today! PATCH staff are off for Labor Day on Monday so your next update will be a day late. Happy Labor Day!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com