🌱Missing Teen With Autism Found + Legal Action For Grandin Residents

It's Friday Jr! Let's celebrate with a quick look at some news while the coffee brews.

First, today's weather:

Kind of rainy and a chance of thunderstorms.

High: 88 Low: 74.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. It's David Stewart Wiley's 25th season as the conductor and music director of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. Recently he reflected on the last quarter century with the symphony, which happened to coincide with RSO’s return to live concerts after the COVID-19 pandemic. With performing arts organizations all over the nation wondering whether or not audiences would return for live performances , the answer for RSO seems to be yes. "We have a great team. I don’t think we would have weathered the pandemic anywhere near as well had we not had the team in place. A lot of it is just anticipating and dealing with unforeseen circumstances. It’s an interesting new world. We had full houses, knocked it out of the park with our pops season," Wiley said. (Roanoke Times)
2. The deadline for residents to move out of the English Gardens apartment complex in the Grandin area was June 30, but eight residents still remain nearly a month later. Now, the new owner of the property has filed an unlawful retainer with the courts to remove them. A representative for the company said legal action was delayed as long as possible and will dismissed as soon as residents vacate the property since court hearings won't be held for several weeks yet. Several English Gardens residents have been on the waiting list at Terrace Apartments, owned by Total Action for Progress, for months now. According to representatives for TAP, the delay in application review on a change in management. "TAP is very aware of the urgency in finding housing for English Gardens residents as well as others in our community. The fact is there’s not enough affordable housing for low-income people in the Roanoke Valley to accommodate the needs that we’re seeing," said Annette Lewis, TAP's president and CEO. (WSLS)
3. Phyllis Reyes, the legal guardian of Bobby Curry, 13, of Roanoke, first noticed the boy with autism was missing when she went to check on him in his room around 7 a.m. Roanoke City Police immediately responded to the call and several other police agencies including Roanoke County, the FBI, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office joined part the search. Around 1 p.m. police said a "well-intentioned" woman phoned in after seeing an Amber Alert saying she had found the boy wandering, had picked him up, and taken him out of concern. Bobby was returned safely to his home on Frances Drive in Roanoke. "It’s that double emotion there, that you have as a parent either way. I mean, of course we’re overjoyed that he’s here. But you have to ask yourself, what could you have done to prevent the situation," Reyes said. (WDBJ)
4. Firefighters from Salem Fire and EMS were recently honored during the American Red Cross's Celebration of Heroes for their response to a call about an unresponsive 55-year-old man lying on a pickleball court. The first responders arrived on the scene to find the man's partner doing CPR and quickly took over, miraculously getting a pulse back after 8 minutes. "We enjoy it," one the nineteen firefighters said. "Usually, we don’t get recognized and we don’t expect to get recognized ... it’s very awesome to be recognized for something that you do." The men each received hero awards from the American Red Cross as well as dinner. (WSLS)
5. Angels of Assisi of Roanoke recently rescued 50 beagles from Cumberland, Virginia, who had been held for an unspecified period in a research facility. AoA partnered with the Humane Society of the United States to bring the dogs to safety after it was revealed they were being bred and then sold to laboratories. AoA says the dogs will need TLC and medical care before being ready for adoption and is asking the public to contribute to its Biscuit Fund to help with the dogs’ medical care. (WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

• Coffee Talk presented by The People’s Platform at RND Coffee House (7:30 a.m.)
• “Disney’s High School Musical: One Act Edition” at Mill Mountain Theatre (2 p.m.)
• Latinas Network Social Hour / Hora Social at Leonore Restaurant (5:30 p.m.)
• Party in the Park featuring The Pizazz Band at Elmwood Park (5:30 p.m.)
• Claiming Your Herbal Avatar: Expectations of the Herb Garden at Morningside Urban Farm (6:30 p.m.)
• “Disney’s High School Musical: One Act Edition” at Mill Mountain Theatre (7:30 p.m.)
• “Annie Get Your Gun (Stone)” presented by Attic Productions (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• PLAY Roanoke: "It's the END of an ERA! If you haven't already heard, the Washington Park Pool's last day will be August 14. At the end of the season, the current facility will be removed to make way for a new pool in it's place." (PLAY Roanoke via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "So cute! Eastern Cottontails are the most common rabbit species in North America but that doesn't mean they don't make our hearts melt every single time we get one!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley Television: "We're excited to launch the first episode of a monthly series from City of Roanoke Government, highlighting civic news and events going on in the Star City! Look for more content from the office of Communications." (Roanoke Valley Television via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "We are a diverse and progressive organization currently hiring for SRO's who would be assigned in the Roanoke City Public Schools (elementary). We invite you to join our team!" (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Animal Hospital: "National Dog Photography Day is a joyous day that aims to spread positivity. It also helps raise awareness about pet care and pet welfare. If you're on Facebook, comment a picture of your dog below." (Roanoke Animal Hospital via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "BRAND NEW DAY will take the stage soon! Mark your calendars and make plans to join us for our summer concert, outside at Elmwood Park." (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Stormwater Division: "Insure Your Property - To find out more about flood insurance, contact any licensed insurance agent. Don’t wait for the next flood ‒ there is a 30 day waiting period for coverage to take effect. Visit floodsmart.gov to learn more." (Nextdoor)
• Botetourt County Government: "Andy & Judy at the Eagle Rock Branch this Friday! - If you are looking for something fun to do Friday night, then head out to the Botetourt County Libraries Eagle Rock Branch for a night filled with folk music from Andy & Judy!" (Nextdoor)

And there you have it. You're officially in the loop and ready to head out the door. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.

— 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