🌱 Invasive Insect Species Found Nearby + Back 2 School Extravaganza

Morning, everybody! I know, I know ... it's Monday. But we've got this. It's going to be okay. Here goes...

First, today's weather:

Humid; an afternoon thunderstorm.

High: 83 Low: 66.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke City Police are investigating after a man with a gunshot wound drove himself to the hospital early Saturday morning. Hospital staff immediately began treating the man and police were called, but he later died of his injuries. His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin and police are asking anyone with any information to please come forward. As of the time of this report no crime scene had been located and no suspects had been identified. If you know something about this incident you can call 540-344-8500 or text 274637 (be sure to begin the message with “RoanokePD” so it's delivered properly.) Both methods can stay anonymous, according to Roanoke Police. (WSLS, WDBJ)
2. With the first day back to school only days away for Roanoke City students, Roanoke City Public Schools hosted its annual Back to School Extravaganza over the weekend. The event is an opportunity for students and families to meet school staff, get supplies and vaccinations. The supplies given out at the extravaganza are from the Load The Bus event held earlier in the month and Roanoke City Public Libraries was on hand to give away over 500 free books. "We do this every year so that our students are prepared and ready to learn. Teachers and administrators and students and parents are able to meet one another. We have more of that personal touch," said RCPS Superintendent Verletta White. (WDBJ)
3. Officials at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) have recently confirmed the presence of the spotted lantern fly in Bedford County. The spotted lanternfly is considered an invasive species that will feed on over 100 plant species including apple, peach and cherry trees as well as grape vines making its presence potentially detrimental to area vineyards and orchards. The insects were first discovered in Virginia in 2018 and since then VDACS has set up a quarantine in numerous localities to prevent the spread of the species to other area. (Smith Mountain Eagle)
4. Two recent graduates and a senior in Botetourt County schools auditioned and earned contracts from Drum Corp International to appear in the Jersey Surf World Class Drum and Bugle Corp based in Camden, New Jersey for its Summer 2022 season. Jordan Shrewsbury and Riley Rothwell are both 2022 graduates of Lord Botetourt High School and Macy Williams is a senior at James River High School. Drum Corp International, also known as marching music major league, is made up of some of the most elite 14- to 21-year-old musicians in the country. It visits numerous states throughout the country after a rigorous month-long training camp held on the grounds of Delaware State University. The events all culminate in the Drum Corp International 50th anniversary World Championships held in Indianapolis's Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. (Botetourt Bee)
5. Second Presbyterian Church on Mountain Avenue in downtown Roanoke has raised $1.7 million to renovate two shelter houses and for other deserving missions organizations. The local beneficiaries of the raised funds will be The Alpha Omega House, which will be dedicated and renamed the Alexa House in memory of Alexa Cannon who died in 2019 and the Presbyterian Community Center who addresses homelessness and poverty of underserved families in southeast Roanoke. "They’re all about meeting needs that everybody cares about. We did this because of the needs of that are there. I’m just so glad that the entire campaign was to help other people," said Dr. George Anderson. (WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Book launch of “Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America’s Overdose” by Beth Macy in Charter Hall at the Roanoke City Market Building (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "What big eyes you have! Opossums are the #1 species at the Center right now in terms of volume of patients. These ones are some of our biggest but we are also getting teeny tiny babies still (and will through the next few months.)" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Our next Back to School Tip No. 3 is practice makes perfect! Talk with your student about what they need to bring to school each day and what the school day will be like so they are prepared and excited!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: "We are less than a week away! Join us Friday, August 26 for Movie at the Museum! VMT is bringing "Moana" to the Movie at the Museum! Pack up your chairs, blankets and pillows to settle into the Auto Gallery to watch the movie!" (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)

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There we have it. A solid update on what's going on in the 'noke. 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