🌱 Former Councilman Sentenced + Raising Lazarus Book Launch

Hello, Roanokers! And just like that it's hump day! Let's get your climb up started with some local news and events.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny.

High: 86 Low: 67.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The Grandin Theatre is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia. Management at the Grandin said the money will be used to finish the theatre's planned renovations and to further the organization's goals of becoming one of the top arts and culture venues in the area. "I think that the Grandin is one of our region's last great community theatres and I think for a long time our hallmark venue has sort of underperformed as a room. For us, the ability to provide our community with as many opportunities as they can to engage it just makes it much more of a rich, robust cultural center," said Ian Fortier, the theatre's executive director. (WFIR)
2. Robert Jeffrey Jr., a former Roanoke City Councilman who embezzled $216,027.83 from The Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization (NNEO) and the City of Roanoke, was sentenced Monday to two and a half years behind bars. The sentencing hearing drew a small crowd and several attendees became vocal, requiring the bailiff to verbally warn them. One was arrested. Jeffrey declined to address the court before being taken to the Roanoke City Jail and offered no information on how he would repay the money he stole, which he is responsible for returning in full. His attorney announced that he would appeal at least part of the conviction. (Roanoke Times)
3. Registration for the Drumstick Dash is now open with over 600 runners already registered. A Thanksgiving Day tradition in Roanoke, the race will be held as always on the fourth Thursday in November this year (November 24). Race officials have announced a new virtual challenge leading up to the event to help with fundraising and preparing for the race. "We worked very hard with the city – both the city management and the traffic and public works department – and the police department to come together with a plan to have a downtown course that worked for everybody,” said Molly Bullington, race director. (WSLS)
4. Charter Hall in The City Market Building was the venue for the launch of Beth Macy's newest book, "Raising Lazarus," Monday night, an event hosted by local bookstore Book No Further. The book is a follow up to the critically acclaimed and bestselling book, "Dopesick," which was developed into a television series starring Michael Keaton. It looks at innovations happening across the country in combating the opioid crisis. "As I started traveling around the nation talking about 'Dopesick,' I started learning about innovations that were happening and in unexpected places, in some cases, in rural pockets of Appalachia, where they were actually doing cutting edge care. So, I said I'm not out of this yet. I'm going to do another book. So, I proposed it and here it is about to come out." Macy said in a recent interview. In addition to a Q&A with the author, The Harm Reduction Coalition offered training on NARCAN, an overdose reversal medication, before and after the presentation. (WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

• Roanoke County Public Schools Community Input Meeting for new CTE Center (6 p.m.)
• Roanoke Old Time & Americana Jam at Golden Cactus Brewing (6 p.m.)
• Soul Sessions Wednesday Night Poetry Show at Ursula’s Café (7 p.m.)
• GAK! 90s Tribute at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke College: "For May Term, Roanoke students had the opportunity to travel with Dr. Laura Hartman to a former mining camp in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state to study its environmental sustainability." (Roanoke College - Salem, VA via Instagram)
• Roanoke City Police Department: "Get to know your S.R.O. School is back in session! The RPD School Resource Officers are ready to welcome the Roanoke City Public Schools students back to the classrooms. We can't wait to learn and have fun with you all this school year." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Police Department: "Happy Retirement Commander Chris Kuyper! Thank you for the commitment and dedication you have given the County of Roanoke in the past 26 years. We hope that your retirement is everything you expect it to be!" (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Laser time! This barred owl is recovering from feather damage. To encourage feather growth/replacement we have been performing cold laser therapy on the feather follicles to help stimulate growth." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Thanks to everyone who adopted pets during the third week of Clear the Shelters 2022! Pictured are just a few of the pets who went home this week! Happy Tails to you all!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "Volunteers are needed for the 2022 Go Cross Cyclocross race! Many of the top cyclocross racers in the world will be in Roanoke September 17 and 18. Visit GCR for the full weekend rundown of events and activities!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door! I'll see you tomorrow morning!

— 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.

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