🌱 Honey Tree Daycare Bus Wreck + New Logo Contest for Local Museum!

Hello and happy Thursday (aka Friday Jr.!) I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Let's get to it.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and breezy.

High: 82 Low: 58.

📢 I’m looking for businesses in Roanoke who want to build brand awareness, connect with potential customers, and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Roanoke Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. Shortly after noon on Wednesday a Honey Tree daycare bus with 11 children on board overturned on I-581 South. The bus was trying to avoid hitting a vehicle that had just come off of an entrance ramp and cut the bus off. Virginia State Police said that some of the children, all of whom were between aged 5 - 10, needed medical assistance, but that no serious injurious were reported. (WSLS)
2. Feeling artistic? The Virginia Museum of Transportation has decided it's time for a brand new logo and have decided to host a design contest to get it. Entries must be sent in by email no latter than June 19 and the winner will receive a gift pack and one year membership to the museum. The museum said the logo will be used on all of its promotional materials in addition to its social media and website. (WDBJ)
3. Habitat for Humanity and WSLS Channel 10 News along with local sponsors and volunteers have partnered to begin building this years "Home For Good." The home will be purchased by Omer Ali and Fateema Abdelgadir, both Sudanese-Americans who call Roanoke home along with their children. Ali said, "This is like a dream come true for us. I’m trying to save a house for my kids after I leave this life, so at least they have something so they can stay after I leave this life.” The family will play a big role in building the house, something Habitat For Humanity calls "sweat equity." (WSLS)
4. The Roanoke County Police are looking for a man they suspect of stealing a $6,700 necklace from Frantz Diamonds. The jewelry store is located on Electric Road/Route 419 and the suspected robbery happened late Tuesday afternoon. The suspect can be seen on the store's security cameras Please contact the Roanoke County Police with any information you may have. (WDBJ)
5. The Roanoke City Solid Waste Division is asking for patience in recent trash pickup delays. The department says the delays are due to staffing vacancies and that officials are working to fill those vacancies as quickly as possible while current employees are working extra shifts to handle all of the city's 36 scheduled routes in a timely manner. (WSLS 10)

Today in Roanoke:

• Party in Elmwood - Roanoke City Special Events (5:30 p.m.)
• The Catalinas - Downtown Roanoke, Inc. (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke said "This female #mallard was rescued by Virginia Tech staff after she was found limping around campus. She is still recovering from a leg injury but being in the water helps put less pressure on her leg while also allowing physical therapy." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA said "Cookie is about as sweet as her name! She and her sisters, Snickers and Mercedes, are looking for their new homes. They're all on the shy side, but we've discovered Cookie's love of sunbathing and that has really helped her." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• The City of Roanoke Government: said "Roanoke is an All-America City because we confront our challenges and seize upon our opportunities together. Collaboration and engagement permeate our community." (City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools would like to know "Are you ready for graduation? Mrs. Anderson and Dr. Leslie are! They took this picture at a graduation planning meeting earlier this spring, and now we're only 24 hours away from our first ceremony!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Market Building is "excited for the grand opening of [a new restaurant called] The Hatch Friday!" (Roanoke City Market Building via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre asks you to "Please help us welcome Bayla Kessler to the VCT Team! Bayla is our summer intern and she will be assisting our Education Department with all things Summer Camp. Bayla is a Roanoke native and rising Sophomore at James Madison University." (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc. said "Fork in the Market is throwing PABST-A-PALOOZA on June 11! They will have music, food, and, of course, lots of PBR! This block party on Market Street starts at 1pm." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)

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There you have it fellow Roanokers! You're officially in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! See you tomorrow morning for 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