🌱 New Cyclist Competition Coming + Vinton Rubbish Fire

It's Friday! And here I am back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. We'll take it, right?

High: 81 Low: 56. The 50s will feel like a cold snap after the rest of this week.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. Hundreds of cyclists from all over the United States will compete June 29 - July 2 in a 4-day racing challenge called the USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships Course, leaders from Botetourt County, Roanoke City and Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge announced. The athletes will be vying for national titles. “Botetourt County is thrilled to be a part of this esteemed event that will bring visitors and activity to the region,” Chairman Dr. Richard Bailey, of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, said. (Roanoker)
2. Lewis Gale Medical Center physician, Dr. Tara Stone, has some advice before you hit the pool now that warmer weather has arrived. "[Sunscreen] should be applied 15 minutes before you’re going to enter the water, or even 15 minutes before you go outdoors so it has a chance to dry and give that layer to your skin so it can protect it.” She went on to remind families with children that they should be reapply every two hours if they plan on getting in the water. A sunscreen of 15 SPF or higher daily no matter the time of year is recommended by the FDA and Dr. Stone personally recommends at least 30 SPF for adults if they’re in the sun and the higher the better for kids. (WSLS 10)
3. Brian Clingenpeel with Roanoke County Fire and Rescue said it was a rubbish fire that caused smoke to rise high above the Vinton area Wednesday evening. Crews at the scene said the pile did not contain anything hazardous and that the best strategy was to let some of it burn itself out before fully containing it. No injuries were reported. (WDBJ)
4. A new pathway connects two important buildings at the Roanoke Higher Education Center in downtown Roanoke. The center, along with The Gainsboro History Project, built a walkway featuring markers that tell stories of the African American influence in Roanoke and from the Gainsboro community where the center is located. An app for the stories is also available.(WDBJ)
5. Roanoke County Public School leaders say that a recent policy that was unveiled after a challenge from a parent last winter about a book that discusses transgender topics is not the same as banning books. They say they have policies in place that prevents just that. "The spirit of this new administrative regulation is wanting librarians to collaborate at the various levels, whether it’s elementary, middle or high school, in terms of the books that are going to go in their collection," Roanoke County Schools Executive Director of Secondary Education Mike Riley said. But school librarians are concerned that the volume of books each library adds to their collection every year will be dramatically effected if they're required to read each title and await parental and administrative review before it can be purchased. (WSLS 10)

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See important Reg A Disclosures

Today in Roanoke:

• Cyber Summit 2022 by Responsive Technology Partners (11:30 a.m.)
• First and Third Fridays at 5 - Roanoke City Special Events (5 p.m.)
• Pickin' on the Patio at the Taubman Museum of Art (5:30 p.m.)
• Celtic duo Kinnfolk at Valhalla Vineyards (6 p.m.)
• Wooden Sunflower Paint Party at One Love Coffee House (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department says "Please help us say goodbye and best of luck to Deputy Chief E. Charles. DC Charles is retiring after serving 30 years with the City of Roanoke." (Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA says "one-year-old Grettle might as well be considered a teen diva at this point. She had to make sure we "got her good side" for photos today! 🤩 (Facebook)
• Roanoke College announced that it will "launch a competitive cycling program for women and men. Roanoke College has registered both men's and women's teams with @usacycling, competing this fall as a club sport. " (Instagram)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc. has announced that "Olde Salem Brewing's Downtown location will open on June 9. " (Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke says "Thrasher UMC Youth Ministry donated some much needed items to the Mission over the weekend. Thank you to these great kids! So refreshing to see young people in this country helping others in need." (Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door! See you all tomorrow morning for another 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