🌱 House A Total Loss After Fire + Taubman Tiffany Exhibit

Hello, hello! Here's a fresh copy of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's going on locally. In today's issue, we'll touch on...

• Live burn training at ROA Airport.
• Jo Dee Messina at Dr Pepper Park.
• Party at Elmwood Park returns.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Turning cloudy. High: 71 Low: 50.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. A house fire in Roanoke County, determined to be electrical in nature, caused $400,000 in damages and resulted in a total loss of the home. The fire occurred around 9 p.m. Wednesday and there were no injuries reported, though a cat is still missing. Firefighters' efforts were hampered due to the lack of fire hydrants in the area but were able to bring water to the scene using a tanker shuttle. One resident was inside the home at the time of the fire but was alerted by a neighbor who called 911 and helped the resident escape. Volunteer and career fire crews from multiple station houses helped fight the fire. (WSLS)
2. Country singer Jo Dee Messina is on tour and will be performing at Dr Pepper Park in Roanoke. Messina started singing at 13 and was inspired to move to Nashville due to her connection with country music. Her music is based on life experiences, and she tries to keep it real. The tour includes up-and-coming band The Dryes. Messina believes country music helps people process through life. The show is on May 20 at 6 p.m. and tickets can be purchased through the provided link. (WDBJ)
3. Public safety crews at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport conducted live burn training using a mock-up airplane and propane-filled mat. This is a twice-yearly practice to prepare for real-life emergencies, and the crews are trained in a variety of areas. The training will continue through Thursday and will not impact airport operations. "Any given day we respond to a fall on the escalator, respond to a suspicious person, or running a fire call for an airplane in distress," Public Safety Chief Ben Cook said. "We keep our training up to date — this is one thing we do to maintain that." (WSLS)
4. The Taubman Museum of Art is currently hosting an exhibition called "The Art of Louis Comfort Tiffany," which showcases over 60 paintings by the artist, as well as examples of his iconic glasswork. The exhibition aims to expand visitors' understanding of Tiffany beyond his association with lamps and jewelry, highlighting his skills as a painter and the breadth of his artistic output. The collection includes works influenced by Tiffany's travels throughout North Africa and paintings of Western scenes, landscapes, still lifes, and more. The exhibition is open until Aug. 13. (Roanoke Times)

Today in Roanoke:

• The 43rd Annual Community School Strawberry Festival at Elmwood Park (11 a.m.)
• Ruben & Clay at the Jefferson Center (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Not one, not two, but 10 releases at once! That is because this Virginia Opossum is a mama with many tiny babies in her pouch. This mama opossum was hit by a car but thankfully escaped basically unharmed other than a few scrapes!”(Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "This sweet pup named Bear is in real need of a medical foster. He has an upper respiratory infection and will need to be in foster care for at least two weeks. We will provide all of the necessary medication and supplies." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Last week was RCPS' second annual Senior Shine & Dine event, which honors our graduating seniors who receive services through the McKinney-Vento Act. McKinney-Vento supports students who lack fixed, permanent housing." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "It's hard to believe it's already May. 🌷 Don't forget to order your season pass for the best beach party in the valley! Delta Dental Party in Elmwood brings 20 weeks of outdoor, live music to Elmwood Park from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ☀️" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update!

— 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