🌱 Franklin County Library StoryWalk + Norfolk Southern Conductor Pay

Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your fresh copy of the Roanoke Daily. Here's a look at what's going around town.

First, today's weather:

Hot. Like two hobbits trying to get rid of a ring hot.

High: 97 Low: 72.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC Center for Vascular and Heart Research in Roanoke recently held an event at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center designed to increase the level of collaboration among researchers. Presentations by research teams were aimed at increasing conversations and concluded with a juried poster presentation by trainees in the center’s labs. "I’m sure there were people sitting there thinking, ‘Ah, there’s a reason to collaborate right there.’ We know collaborations are happening already, but when you have information about each lab’s strengths and interests presented to you in a concentrated manner, then you increase your chances of seeing opportunities," said Rob Gourdie, the center’s director. (The Roanoke Star)
2. Norfolk Southern Corporation is looking for new train conductors and has announced that it has increased its conductor trainee pay to $25 an hour. Conductor trainees are also eligible for $300 per pay period training incentives and could earn up to $5,000 in starting bonuses. "We are committed to ensuring our newest team members are well-compensated while they work toward qualifying as conductors. Through their seniority, conductors will be promoted to a locomotive engineer position that has guaranteed minimum annual pay of approximately $94,000, along with benefits," said Brad Dodd, director of Talent Acquisition at Norfolk Southern. Interested parties can apply at this link. (WSET)
3. Franklin County Public Library has announced it has added a brand new StoryWalk to the county's Summit View Business Park. Originally conceived and implemented in Montpelier, Vermont, the press release said StoryWalks are created by taking a book apart, shrinking or enlarging the pages, laminating the pages, and then mounting them on signs. The completed signs are then placed a long a pathway or trail and allow the story to unfold as users walk the route. "A StoryWalk is a fun and experiential way to build literacy skills while being physically active outdoors," said Dorothy Anderson, manager of Youth Services at the Franklin County Public Library. (WSLS 10, StoryWalk)
4. Roanoke City will be receiving nearly $3.9 million from the $46 million Virginia Housing announced in early July to help with redevelopment across the commonwealth. The one-time grants are specifically to help current and future public housing projects and allow them to continue their mission of offering affordable housing to residents. "The lack of affordable housing in Roanoke City is as great of an issue as it is worldwide. So any money that we receive, we are also going to be trying to develop more affordable housing, or find ways to partner with other agencies to also bring more affordable housing to Roanoke City," said David Bustamante, executive director for the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority. (WDBJ)
5. On Thursday, a Roanoke woman, Mickey Emma Jimenez, 28, was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to recruit a 15-year-old girl to have sex with a man at a motel where he ran a prostitution ring. According to testimonies given in court, Jimenez's mother once sold her for sex with drug dealers in order to make money for more drugs. "She knew what mental harm that would cause to the victim. She knew what emotional trauma it would cause. Because she’d been through it herself," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Swartz. (Roanoke Times)

Today in Roanoke:

• Botetourt Tomato Festival at Daleville Town Center & Performance Pavilion (8:30 a.m.)
• MTB Skills Clinic presented by VBR Adventures at Morningside Park (9:30 a.m.)
• Reading to Cats! - Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection (2:30 p.m.)
• ’80s vs. ’90s Cookout presented by Just a Splash at River’s Edge (4 p.m.)
• Luau Party on the Rooftop at Corned Beef & Co. (4 p.m.)
• Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners at Dr. Pepper Park (6 p.m.)
• Vinton Mingle at the Market with Low Low Chariot and Adam Rutledge (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Roanoke Government: "Roanoke was named the Most Affordable East Coast City where people love to live by GO Banking Rates! Check it out!" (City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We were all set to do a post highlighting Cooper and the wonderful dog that he is because he's been with us since May. We've been eager to see him find his new home and well Cooper did find his new home! He was adopted today! Hip Hip Hooray!"(Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Coming soon to Roanoke ... a brand new ambulance! Capt. Decker and Lt. Fleming are in Florida this week doing the final inspection of what will soon be Medic 6." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "We're so excited to watch Morningside Elementary School grow! Be sure to check out their post below for important information about how the parking lot will be affected." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "PSA: we have admitted several birds today that have had to be rescued from un-vented bird boxes due to overheating — birds have been jumping out of these boxes too early or have been half-hanging out of the boxes in an attempt to get cool. If you have bird boxes, please keep a close eye on the birds." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke: "We need your help! Kids count on the Back 2 School Blast at the Mission but we need supplies to give them! You can drop of supplies at 402 4th Street, SE, Roanoke, VA, 24013. Thank you!" (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! I'll see you tomorrow morning with another update.

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. His interests are in politics, history, and religion and the stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. 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