🌱 Police Investigating Hit And Run + Indie Bookstore Turns Five

Hello there, fellow Roanokers! I'm here as usual to get you up to speed on what's going on around town in the Roanoke Daily. I hope you're having a great Thanksgiving weekend! Today's edition includes updates on:

• Local group hosts 'Christmas of Hope'
• Satanic Temple hosts family movie night
• Floyd County delegate calls for replacing area congressman

Let's do it!

But first, today's weather:

A.M. showers; mostly cloudy.

High: 63 Low: 50.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke City police are investigating after a man was found dead on the side of Salem Turnpike Friday morning. Investigators are treating the man's death as a hit and run and asking for anyone with any information to come forward. The body was reported shortly before 10 a.m. and when officers arrived at the scene they found an unresponsive male lying on the embankment beside the road. The victim's name was not released pending notification of his family and neither the vehicle or a suspect description were available. (WSLS)
2. A local awareness group, Families Expecting Deliverance Using Prayer (FEDUP), is hosting a 'Christmas of Hope' walk through event for children who lost parents to gun violence during the year. "As a community, let’s reach out and help those families impacted. Even if they can afford to do it, they don’t want to, because this is a first and it’s hurtful and it’s hard. So, any little thing that we can do just to soften this holiday for those families. That’s what our purpose is for the 'Christmas of Hope'," said organizers. They're asking for donations of toys, gift cards, and clothing and can be reached at (540) 915-1470 if you wish to donate. (WDBJ)
3. Roanoke's only independent bookstore, Book No Further, is celebrating its fifth anniversary selling new and used books in downtown Roanoke. Owner Delores Vest, a self-described instigator of thought and bookhunter, says the store is a general interest bookstore that focuses on authors based in Southwest Virginia and the Appalachian region and specializes in helping readers find hard to locate books. Vest says the store's sales are in the six figures, but admits the profit isn't much. "I am in it more so because Roanoke needs a bookstore. You know, bookstores play an interesting role in a community. We want people to read, get new ideas." The store is located at 112 Market Street in downtown. (The Advocate)
4. Members of a Satanic Temple in Bedford are hoping that hosting a family movie night will help dispel negative perceptions of them. Yes, you read that right. There's apparently a Satanic Temple in Bedford and they're hosting a family movie night. I can't make this stuff up. The event will feature Ferngully The Last Rainforest and is being advertised well in advance since its not scheduled until late February. A discussion will be held after the movie about which of the 7 Fundamental Tenets of The Satanic Temple the movie relates to and how it fit into everyday life. (WFIR)
5. A Republican firebrand from Floyd County and recently elected member of the House of Delegates has called for replacing long time area congressman Morgan Griffith. At a recent GOP meeting Delegate Marie March said, "I do believe people are tired of career politicians. Sorry, I mean, Morgan has been in there a long, long time, and I think people like change. So we need to be looking for younger folks to get involved and run for these offices." Other GOP leaders declined to comment on the matter and Griffith was not present at the meeting to defend himself. (Cardinal News)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Public Ice Skating at the Berglund Center Coliseum (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Botetourt County Sheriff's Office: "Help! I need my family now! I was found injured and animal control has rushed me to the vet. I was found in the 17000 block of Botetourt Rd near Chatham Rd. If you know my family can you have them call the BCSO Communications Center." (Botetourt County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Giving pets as gifts can be a bit controversial, but studies show that there is no increased risk of relinquishment for dogs and cats received as a gift. Our goal is to get pets into loving homes - not deny them the chance to be adopted." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• 3rd Street Coffeehouse: "This holiday season, if you struggle to find unique, meaningful and affordable gifts for your loved ones, please consider the gift of music. So many of our performers have released new CD's and vinyls!" (3rd Street Coffeehouse via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: "Join us this weekend for our Black Friday sale and enjoy 15% off storewide! Sale ends on Sunday, November 27th. (Promotion applies to in-store purchases only and cannot be combined with other discounts.)" (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Did you know that you can book WDBJ7's Elmwood on Ice for a birthday party, private event, or PTA Fundraiser? That's right! The rink can be rented whenever Elmwood on Ice is closed to the public (like on a Monday!)" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— 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. Except on full moons.

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