🌱 New Family Oriented Trails To Open + The Star City Turning Teal?

Happy October! I think October's my favorite month of the year. I love Halloween and I love the fall when it gets cooler and the leaves change. Anyways, let's get to some news. In this edition we'll cover:

• Angel Tree registration opens for families in need.
• The RCPS School Board has filed a motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit.
• An area boxing program for troubled youth is facing challenges.

Ready? Let's do it.

But first, today's weather:

Tropical rainstorm.

High: 61 Low: 55.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Registration for The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program, which provides Christmas presents to families in need, opens up today (Oct. 1) and will run through Oct. 21. Last year the program was able to serve almost 700 families and they'd love to beat that number this year. Tesa Price-Clarke, the Army's volunteer and special events coordinator, said, "Having the community be able to go and adopt these angels, it really does help fill the gap that these families are really seeing when it comes to providing for their own during the Christmas season." The Army's Roanoke service area includes Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem, Craig County, Vinton, and Botetourt County. (WDBJ)
2. Kids in Parks is a nationwide program designed to get more kids back outdoors and enjoying nature in a culture that is increasingly disengaged from such activities. TRACK Trails are the program's chief method of doing so and feature hiking trails, biking trails, geocaching trails, paddling trails, and even disc golf courses. Now, Roanoke City Parks will be home to two such TRACK Trails, one at Lick Run Greenway and another at Garden City Greenway, and is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. "We wanted to select locations in close proximity to schools and parks so families could easily engage with the TRACK Trail resources right in their neighborhood,” said Michael Clark, director of Roanoke Parks and Recreation, in a press release. (PATCH Press Release, Roanoke City Parks, Kids In Parks)
3. The Roanoke County School Board has filed a petition through its attorney to have a federal lawsuit filed against them thrown out. The suit alleges that a former Northside High School soccer coach, Lorstan Allen, sexually abused female students using his position as a coach and in the school's IT department from 2015 to 2021 and that the school board, despite multiple reports, failed to investigate or take action. But the attorney for the school board said in his motion to dismiss that there is no evidence of wrongdoing on the school board's part. The suit, filed on behalf of five former students, is seeking $75 million in damages for anxiety, emotional distress, and impaired educational opportunities. The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Dillon, is expected to issue a ruling on the dismissal in writing at a later date. (Roanoke Times)
4. La'Torie Woodberry, a Roanoke native and a talented boxer who has opened for three world title cards, has created a business called 'Boxing & Brawling' that has been offering a program for area youth designed to instill a sense of self-confidence and self-discipline like many martial arts programs. The program is called 'BoxFit' and has been helping nearly 100 kids a year, some who are facing a lot of challenges at home like Woodberry himself once did. "Boxing to me is a bridge to go from where you are and who you are to where you wanna be. It [helps us] build broken confidence, conquer fears and fight inner demons that damage us. It’s my way to connect and make an impact on people because of my experience in boxing," he said. In recent weeks the program has been beset by challenges including the loss of its training facility at Champ's Gym. To help the program continue to positively impact young lives, Woodberry has created a GoFundMe page. "I desperately need the resources to be able to provide the services to the kids that they need. And one of those resources is a building and the proper funding for the program to go on." (WSLS)
5. Roanoker Kim Huddleston is hoping to paint the Star City teal to raise awareness about Ovarian Cancer, a cancer she was diagnosed with in 2017 and has struggled with since. She is working with a nonprofit organization, The Clearity Foundation, an ovarian cancer support program founded in 2008, to share her story in hopes of educating others. Her oncologist, Dr. David Iglesias, with Carilion Clinic, said, "Oftentimes, [ovarian cancer] is considered a more silent cancer. The symptoms can be very vague, nonspecific. Only about 15 percent of patients are diagnosed with ovarian cancer when it’s at the earliest, most curable stage. I always recommend to all women just to be aware of the patterns of their body, you know, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and for something that just doesn’t seem right bring it up with a primary care doctor." To learn more about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and how to support patients of the disease visit the Clearity Foundation's website. (WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

Patch readers are strongly encouraged to use caution and follow safety protocol when choosing to attend an event as Hurricane Ian approaches. These events are accurate as of the newsletter's writing, please check with the event organizer for the most recent status update.

• Walk to End Alzheimer's in Longwood Park — postponed to Oct. 29 (8 a.m.)
• Jaunt for Justice 5k at Tinker Creek Greenway in Fallon Park (8:30 a.m.)
• Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk at Roanoke College (10 a.m.)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA Southern Team Subaru Loves Pets Adoption Event (Noon)
• Bourbon, Bubbly, & Brew presented by The Spot on Kirk at the Vinton War (5 p.m.)
• Immanuel Wilkins at the Jefferson Center’s Fostek Hall (7 p.m.)
• Dusty Bo and the Contraband Return to Olde Salem Brewery (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Get outside this fall and enjoy some of the incredible hiking trails in Virginia's Blue Ridge! To help you plan your trip, check out our list of great fall color hikes: https://bit.ly/3rfGZMX" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Congratulations, 1st Lt. Jake Parry! Parry was presented with a Certificate of Commendation for excellent work performing an extrication earlier this year at a motor vehicle accident. Thank you for your hard work and dedication! 👏👏" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Congratulations to Patrick Henry seniors Tristan Kerr and Eleanor Little for being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Tristan was named a National Merit Semi-Finalist and Eleanor was named a Commended Scholar!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "RPL is hosting a Halloween costume swap this month! Save money and waste by dropping off laundered, undamaged, and unneeded kid's and teen's costumes to any branch through Monday, Oct. 24. Shop the swap on Saturday, Oct. 29!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• The Grandin Theatre: "We are just a month away from 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' returning to the Grandin Theatre! Get your tickets now for one of two shows on Oct. 28." (The Grandin Theatre via Facebook)
• Roanoke Ballet Theatre: "Roanoke Ballet Theatre is now hiring a grant writer! Apply today!" (Roanoke Ballet Theatre via Facebook)

There you go. You're all caught up for today. I'll see you tomorrow morning!

— 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