🌱 Friends of RCACP T-Shirt Fundraiser + MOTA Streetscape Ceremony

And just like that it's Monday again. Oh well. Here's a look at some news while you're patiently awaiting the coffee maker to beep.

First, today's weather:

Humid with a thunderstorm. Shocker, right?

High: 86 Low: 74.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The Melrose Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project is complete and set to have a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 5. The multi-million dollar project that saw upgrades to what's known as the Melrose Orange Target Area (MOTA) includes two covered bus stops that were created by a partnership of the Roanoke Arts Commission, Valley Metro, HUD Community Resources and MOTA residents. The ceremony will take place at Feeding Southwest Virginia’s Community Solutions Center Parking Lot at 2328 Melrose Avenue at 9 a.m. (Roanoke Star)
2. Roanoke City E-911 received a call from the 800 block of Hershberger Road on Saturday shortly before 2 p.m. Responding officers found a man with serious gunshot wounds as well as two dogs who had also been shot. The man and one dog were pronounced dead at the scene and the second dog later died at a local veterinarian's office. Police say the shooter and the victim knew each other and an arrest has been made, but that neither will be publicly identified until next of kin can be notified. (Roanoke Times)
3. Friends of the Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection, a Roanoke-based nonprofit, is selling t-shirts to raise money for pets who are found to be heartworm positive. Keila Divers, a member of Friends of RCACP, says treatment for heartworms can be quite expensive and can prevent a pet from being adopted by a forever family. So, she and fellow members decided to sell t-shirts for $15 a piece to raise funds for fostered and sheltered animals. "I feel like I’m paying back because so many people got my dog her heartworm treatment. So that’s what it means to me. It’s very important," she said. (WSLS)
4. More than 100 volunteers came out for Roanoke's Third Annual National Beautification Day that was held near Staunton Park this year. A new location is selected each year and this year featured appearances by TikTok dancing trucker John Drury, who whipped up the crowd along with several city leaders before it was time to get down to work. "Every neighbor that I had the privilege and the honor of meeting have almost been brought to tears and they have been so excited. They have been humbly open and welcoming to everyone that has come up to do work on their property," said Southwest Virginia Diverse Chamber of Commerce Vice President Eric Sparrow. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Joint Roanoke City Council and Roanoke City School Board meeting at Westside Elementary School (9 a.m.)
• Roanoke City Council Meeting - Briefings (10:45 a.m.)
• Cave Spring High School Business Day (2 p.m.)
• Roanoke City Council Meeting - Roanoke City Council (2 p.m.)
• Books & Beans Book Club presented by Little Green Hive and Book No Further at Little Green Hive (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department: "Saturday Success Story - this special dog was rescued several months ago by our Officers and Animal Wardens. She is now happy and healthy in her new loving home. Our Department gets so excited to see success stories!" (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Meep meep! Begging for food, this Northern Mockingbird curiously checks out the camera during his close up! This little bird came in after he fell out of a nest and was orphaned." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Duchess is showing off a little bit since she's hoping to find her new home soon! Who wouldn't want to love this gorgeous girl? (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Congratulations to our very own Williamson Road Branch Library Manager Toni, who was recognized for her dedication at the 3rd Annual National Roanoke Community Beautification Day Saturday!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

Alrighty then ... you're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning. On a quick personal note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY BERRY!

— 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