🌱Monument Dedicated To Local War Hero + Roanoke Celebrates Juneteenth

Hello, Roanoke friends! Ian here right on time with a fresh Roanoke Daily, filled with all the local information you need to know right now.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and hot.

High: 94 Low: 74.

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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 four stories in Roanoke today:

1. Keeping at-risk youth off the streets and out of trouble is the passion and mission of one local man. Latorie Woodberry is an ex-fighter who owns and operates Boxing and Brawling, LLC. The business runs a program called Boxfit that trains kids from ages 7 - 17 in boxing skills. Upon graduation from the program, they return as mentors for others. "They just kind of feed these guys, and keep them in line, and help me out around here. It really helped me with my school, helped me with a lot of stress, a lot of things that I’ve been going through personally," Woodberry said. (The Daily Progress)
2. Nearly 40 teams participated in this year's Relay for Life at the Salem Civic Center on Saturday as well as a car show with over 40 cars to honor those who have put up the good fight against cancer. "Praise Jesus, I am still in remission and that’s the reason I relay cause I don’t want my kids and my grandkids to hear ,'You have cancer.' I don’t want anybody to hear those three words," Vicky Zimmerman, a cancer survivor, who was among the participants said. The event has grown in recent years and organizer Dottie Booze estimates that it is two to three times bigger than it once was. (WSLS 10)
3. The Roanoke Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference held its 18th annual Juneteenth celebration Saturday in Washington Park. After holding much smaller celebrations the last few years due to the pandemic, participants got to live it up a bit this year. The event featured local artists, performances, food. The Virginia Department of Health was on hand to provide vaccinations. "It’s important because of what is happening in the world. We can come together and learn about stuff and have fun at the same time," said Olivia Davoll of the NAACP. (WDBJ)
4. In a ceremony on Saturday, The Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a memorial to Colonel William Preston, a Revolutionary War hero from Botetourt County. Supporters, volunteers, and descendants of the Preston family gathered to celebrate the completion of a monument located at the site of the former Greenfield Plantation, which Colonel Preston built and lived on. County officials along with the Historic Greenfield Preservation Advisory Council have been working for years to develop a historic park to recognize the significance of the area and the plantation. "Our vision is to present a broad representation of life on the home front during Col. Preston’s time — the homefront, not the battlefield," said Botetourt County Supervisor Steve Clinton. (The Roanoke Times)

Today in Roanoke:

• Monday Night Games & Vinyl at Crystal Spring Grocery Co. (4 p.m.)
• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools would like to say "Congratulations to the Roanoke Academy for Math and Science 5th graders who graduated this week! The theme of their graduation was "Dare to Dream." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA wants to know if you "have seen the new wrap on the Roanoke Valley SPCA passenger van. If you haven't seen it yet, keep an eye out for it this summer, taking the Veterinary Science Campers on field trips across the Roanoke Valley!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government reminds you to "go purple in June for Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. More than 140,000 Virginians are living with Alzheimer's disease and over 458,000 caregivers, family and friends are providing care." (City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke said "Don't miss out on the No. 1 5k run/ walk in town! The Rescue Mission of Roanoke Drumstick DASH is a Roanoke tradition and we are asking everyone to sign up early and spread the word about being there Thanksgiving morning!" (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation wants to remind you that there are "just eight days left! The museum is looking for a new logo and we need your help! The new logo will be used on the museum's website, social media, posters, flyers and all promotional materials." (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow 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