🌱 New Chairman For The Dawgs + Gas Prices Continue Decline For Now

Hey, everybody! It's Tuesday and here's the Roanoke Daily to show you what's been happening for the last 24 hours or so since we last spoke. This edition includes updates on...

• A bus rider asks car riders to pay attention.
• How you can still donate to Defeat ALS even if you missed an area walk.
• And a longer than expected closing of a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Let's motor! Just not on the Parkway because, you know, part of it is closed.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant.

High: 70 Low: 46.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. The Rail Yard Dawgs, Roanoke's minor league professional hockey team, has a brand-new chairman, former NHL player Jamie McGinn, and while he's new to the team he's not new to hockey at all. McGinn's family has owned the Dawgs since 2015 and McGinn has played hockey professionally since 2006, including spots on the roster of the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche. Now, he's taking over for his father Bob McGinn as chairman for the Dawgs. After the last NHL player lockout McGinn got to see the other side of the game, the business side and is hoping to put that knowledge to good use. "I saw things from a different angle, so I wasn't exactly happy or thrilled with the way players were being treated so my dream was to own a team with my family and our number one thing is we want to treat the players properly and bring a good product to the ice." (WFIR, Jamie McGinn Wikipedia Page, Rail Yard Dawgs website)
2. Gas prices in the Roanoke area continue to trend downwards, though I feel like the two stations I pass every day have been at $3.21 and $3.15 a gallon forever. According to the most recent survey done by GasBuddy prices are 18.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 31.6 cents per gallon higher than a year ago for an average area price of $3.23 per gallon. But head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, Patrick De Haan, said, "One of the longest gas price declines on record has finally come to an end after 14 weeks, with gas prices shooting up in several regions amidst myriad refinery issues from the West Coast to the Great Lakes and in between." In other words, don't get used to it. (WDBJ, GasBuddy)
3. In a letter sent to the Roanoke Times, Kate Wooley writes that public transit in Roanoke is in crisis and that car riders, who make up the majority of commuters in the area, need to sit up and take notice along with those who rely on the services. Particularly at issue she said is that Roanoke does not provide public transit directly to people, but rather provides taxpayer's dollars to a contractor, in this case Valley Metro, who operates buses and routes around the city and is presently only employing about 2/3 of the needed drivers. "The people who take the bus are performing the same functions that you do in your car. We go to work, go out on dates, and take care of our families by using public transit. Even if you don’t ride the bus yourself, you are impacted by it. You rely on the work that my fellow passengers perform in our city. To make my voice heard, I’ve joined BRRAG (Bus Riders of Roanoke Advocacy Group) and I urge everyone — bus riders and others — to do the same." (Roanoke Times)
4. Green Hill Park in Salem was the site of a Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday and about 20 teams participated, hoping to raise $20,000 dollars for research and advocacy programs. Organizers said ALS is a fatal disease and that those who are diagnosed usually have a life span of 3 to 5 years. Mark Kary is one of those people and said, "It’s just really interesting that we can all come together on an issue that makes tremendous community impact… whether it’s our walk or muscular dystrophy or anything else, these are just amazing to have the community come together in support of this." If you missed Saturday's walk (I did. Honestly, this is the first I've heard about it, or you would have read about it last week in time to participate) and still want to donate you can do so by visiting the Defeat ALS website. (WFXR)
5. The Blue Ridge Parkway will continue to be closed from mile markers 121.4 to 136 after a failed culvert was discovered that needs full replacement, extending a repair project that began after a spring storm washed out a 150-foot section of the road. Behind the construction zone gates, the Parkway is closed for all uses including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians and will likely be so until the 130-foot culvert can be obtained and installed, and new pavement can be laid. With winter and colder temperatures approaching it's likely the new pavement will have to wait until spring when warmer weather arrives. Other repairs include installation of soil anchors and reconstruction of the fill slope to stabilize the area and restore safe access. (Roanoke Star)

Today in Roanoke:

• Lecture: All About the Ice Cream Industry by Homestead Creamery founder Donnie Montgomery at Woodland Hills Retirement Community (2 p.m.)
• Easton Corbin presented by Star-B-Q at the Salem Farmers Market (5 p.m.)
• Roanoke City School District School Board Workshop (5:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke County Schools Teen Mental Health parent presentation (virtual) (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "A once and a lifetime opportunity to get up close to some of the most beautiful animals in the world is right around the corner... we still have tickets available for our Night Owl on the Town fundraising gala on Saturday, Oct. 1!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Lucas is a happy-go-lucky boy who gets very excited for playtime! He loves spending time with people and his personality will absolutely brighten your day! We're hoping his new best friend will find him soon so that Lucas can have lots of playtime!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Great job, Grandin Court community! They worked together with PLAY Roanoke to renovate their outdoor classroom." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "'THE SECRET GARDEN' is just around the corner! Come join us in 'the garden' this fall at the Jefferson Center for this captivating story, filled with mesmerizing melodies and dance! Get your tickets today!" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Happy New Year! Did you know at sundown today the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah begins? We have a collection of books all about the holiday! You can check them out by visiting your local branch today!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

There you have it. Now you're in the loop on this Tuesday! See you tomorrow morning for the Hump Day edition!

— 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. Usually.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com