🌱MINIs Invade Roanoke + Increased Security Spending Approved For RCPS

Hey, Roanokers! Ian here today with the top stories you need to know about in the Star City.

First, today's weather:

Humid with a thunderstorm.

High: 86 Low: 68.

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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 in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke was the latest stop for a over 600 MINI Cooper vehicles in a celebration that is making its way across the United States. MINI Takes The States will visit nine states and eight cities to raise money for Best Friends Animal Society, a non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the euthanizing of dogs and cats in animal shelters by 2025. "This one is called the ‘reunite rally.’ We missed 2020 and 2021 because of COVID. This is a big homecoming for people and we are raising money for a good cause,” said Patrick McKenna, the head of marketing product and strategy of MINI USA. (WDBJ)
2. The Roanoke City School Board recently voted to approve the spending of $1.7 million for a number of new security measures, including the purchase of panic alarms, buttons and fobs along with more CCTV cameras. The increased spending also includes the creation of a new security technician position, the hiring of more school resource officers so an SRO can be present in each city school and a 24-hour a day safety tip line. "Students should not have to wait until the next day to say something if they've learned about something on social media for instance," said superintendent Verletta White. (WFIR)
3. A new nonprofit, The Roanoke Parks Foundation, is seeking to raise money through private philanthropy that the city can’t. The foundation's intent is to upgrade city parks, recreation centers, swimming pools, greenways and hiking trails. Founded by new Roanoker Andy Gill, who moved to the Star City from the west coast, the nonprofit wants to raise awareness about the benefits that the parks system provides and help carry out the department’s master plan. "I look at it, this foundation, as being a way to not just enhance the experience for current residents, but also as sort of a branding arm of our community,” said Gill. (Roanoke Rambler)
4. A Buchanan area citizen is upset about a new gas station and convenience store being considered by the Botetourt County Planning Commission because area residents were not told that the proposal existed and was being voted on at a recent meeting. "This meeting is for the development of the corner of Greyledge and Frontage roads into a gas station and convenience store. I have found that none of the immediate residents surrounding this property were aware this type of development was trying to get pushed through," said Robin Watts Wells. Per the Planning Commission rules there was a notice placed in a local newspaper and the agenda was posted to the Botetourt County website. (Botetourt Bee)

Today in Roanoke:

• Roanoke City Council Meeting - Roanoke City Council (2 p.m.)
• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke City Council Meeting - Public Hearings (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Roanoke Stormwater Division: "The Tinker Creek Clean Up on Aug. 6 at Tinker Creek needs some TLC! Please join us for the Deschutes Tinker Creek Cleanup on Saturday, August 6. The deadline to register is Friday!" (Nextdoor)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Thanks to Advance Auto Parts for donating gift cards for us to give out to citizens who attend community activities, like public education events!" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• The Roanoke Times: "The owners of Big Spring Mill will end more than a century and a half in the feed and flour-milling business, when they shut down the Elliston landmark on the Roanoke River in August." (The Roanoke Times via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "🔥Shortly after 3:30 p.m., Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 1000 block of Hollins Road for reports of a fire. Units arrived to find a front-end loader fully involved and quickly extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• The Roanoke Times: "Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the highest unemployment rate in Virginia using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics." (The Roanoke Times via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "We are excited about our upcoming concert, Brand New Day: A Celebration of Unity, and we hope you are too! The concert will feature songs from popular Broadway musicals: Footloose, Waitress, Big Fish, Godspell, Hairspray and more!" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• Jack Browns Roanoke: "It's a fine day here at the Joint 🤩 It's Jake Lavoie's Saint Dayyy yeah-yuh! Jake's burger is the "Hot Porky Back" wagyu burger topped with pulled pork, fresh jalapeños, BBQ sauce, and J.B. coleslaw." (Jack Browns Roanoke via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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