🌱Star City Alert System Launched + Local Colors Festival This Weekend

Morning, Roanokers! Your friendly neighborhood writer, Ian, here. Let's get you started this Friday (Friyay?) with everything you need to know going on in our community today.

First, today's weather:

Hot. Like mid-summer hot. Like wish the pool was open hot.

High: 96 Low: 67.

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Today's top five stories here in the 'noke are:

1. The City of Roanoke has announced that Star City Alerts, a new alert system for emergency situations, is now available. Star City Alerts is a free service that allows people to get notifications sent from state and local authorities on hazardous situations including weather, traffic and other emergencies. (WDBJ)
2. Local Colors, Roanoke's FREE multicultural festival, is happening this weekend at Elmwood Park! The festival features performers, vendors, and exhibits from the many ethnicities that make up our community and will begin at 11 a.m. (Local Colors)
3. Martha Kuckar, a Roanoke College professor who is from Ukraine and still has family in the western part of the country, shared her experience watching the war unfold. “When I see those faces, it really bothers me because they are people just like you and me," she said. "It could be your neighbor, they could be my students. So, that’s very hard to see.” (WSLS 10)
4. An employee of a local Italian restaurant has tested positive for Hepatitis A. Officials at the Roanoke City Alleghany Health District have investigated and are recommending that anyone who dined at Luigi's Gourmet Italian on Brambleton Avenue get vaccinated. (WSET)
5. The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office has named its first Black female captain, Deatria Muse. With over 14 years of experience, "I plan to move with integrity, lead by example, and be a role model. Plus, help my coworkers reach their next career goals and serve my community to the best of my ability,” Captain Muse said. Congratulations Captain Muse! (WSLS 10)

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Interesting Events Happening Today in Roanoke:

• Abbott Bus Lines and the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce will host an Open House today at (11 a.m.) Abbott is launching a FREE CDL Training Program!
• Roanoke City will host First and Third Fridays beginning tonight at (5 p.m.) The cost of admission is $5, the featured crafter brewer is Blue Mountain, and the food vendor is Mountain Grille! Providing the entertainment will be Eagles tribute band, On The Border!

From my notebook ('noke book? Nah, that's cheesy.):

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke would like to remind their neighbors to be careful when letting pets out as "eastern cottontails have been coming into the Center by the bunny-load! Nearly all our juvenile rabbits have been admitted because they have been caught by people’s cats and dogs." (Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Roanoke Police Academy Classes 82 and 83 got a tour of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA for their second Community Enrichment Day. These men and women are taking time to learn about the history and culture of the community they serve." (Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA is asking "Want to help cats? If so, we need YOUR help! The Roanoke Valley SPCA Community Cat Crew and Mountain View Humane are working together to plan a mass spay/neuter day on Friday, May 27th for outdoor cats in Roanoke." (Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Many Roanoke Valley employers offer a matching gift program for charitable gifts made by their employees. Some generous companies will even make a donation to a non-profit based on the number of volunteer hours an employee completes! " (Facebook)
• The Virginia Museum of Transportation invites you to "Celebrate International Museum Day by visiting the Commonwealth’s official transportation museum. Come explore the potential of museums to bring about positive change in our communities." (Facebook)
• City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government: "Hepatitis Testing is available TODAY at two locations in Roanoke. Check out the flyer below for more information." (Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre is "Seeking Teaching Artists in Residence. TAs in Residence will work in the local school system for 3 weeks at a time. Teaching Artist positions are on-going throughout the school year and require a BA in theatre/music arts." (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Grandview: "My company is looking for a ton of electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and sheet metal mechanics. It's steady, commercial work for those with experience and/or a license. The company will provide a truck or van! Great benefits!" (Nextdoor)

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Well, there you have it. You're all caught up for the day! I'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning with 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