🌱 Police Warn About 'Trouble Bubble' + Roanoke Cement Awarded By VDEQ

Hello there, Roanokers! Everyone have a good time last night? Same. Here's the Saturday morning Roanoke Patch Newsletter to get you caught up on what's going on in the Star City, including updates on...

• Writer, critic, and Hollins professor dies.
• Salem Red Sox open season with a loss.
• Family Fun Day and Easter Egg Hunt.

Let's go!

But first, today's weather: Cool with some brightening. High: 52 Low: 36.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke County Police are warning parents and guardians about a new TikTok challenge being called the 'Trouble Bubble.' The challenge calls for users to try to blow a bubble with bubble gum containing oleoresin capsicum, the same ingredient used in police pepper spray. Ten students in Massachusetts ended up in the hospital after attempting the challenge, which is equal to putting pure capsaicin pepper, the hottest pepper in the world, in your mouth. Mouth, throats, and stomach pain were the most reported effects among the affected children, but some had trouble breathing as well and some children were even affected by skin and eye irritation just by touching the gum. County police are asking parents to be on the lookout for the gum and to talk to their children about it. (WSLS)
2. A longtime professor at Hollins University, Richard Henry Wilde Dillard, who was also an influential writer and critic, died this week at the age of 85. Hollins president Mary Dana Hinton wrote an email to the Hollins community informing them of the loss, saying she'd received the news Tuesday, though no cause of death was given. According to the email, Dillard was "synonymous with [the Hollins] English and Creative Writing program" and served the school for a total of 59 years. Former student, Roanoke times alumni, and Roanoke-based writer Mike Allen said in an email, "To put it simply, meeting Richard — and taking classes in the creative writing program he oversaw — changed my life for the better." Dillard's most recent faculty page said he was a professor of English, creative writing, and film, as well as the longtime editor of The Hollins Critic. (Roanoke Times)
3. The 33rd Annual Environment Virginia Symposium awarded Roanoke Cement Company with the Governor's Excellence Choice Award in recognition of their efforts "to meet the needs of the present while minimizing future impacts." The awards are facilitated by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Conservation and Recreation and aim to recognize both organizations and facilities with documented success in sustainability programs. "We are pleased to recognize Roanoke Cement as our silver medal winner and top industrial sustainability program applicant," said Meghann Quinn, manager, Office of Pollution Prevention, at the VDEQ. Roanoke Cement is based in Botetourt County on over 2,500 acres and is the only cement plant in the state. (Bluefield Daily Telegraph)
4. The Salem Red Sox launched the 2023 season with an opening game against the Delmarva Shorebirds on Thursday, falling 11-7. The season promises the return of many fan favorite nights including Star Wars Night, Margaritaville, and Marvel Night as well as the ever-popular Bark-in-the-Park night when fans are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends. In the kitchen, the Sox will debut a brand-new pub sauce to go along with their popular Sox Slaw and Phat Philly sandwiches. "We haven’t been here since September. It’s very exciting, opening day has a lot of energy. We’re just excited to welcome all of the fans back,” said Blair Hoke, the team's assistant general manager. The Sox continue a three-game series at home against the Shorebirds, then move to a six-game series away against Carolina before returning home to face Lynchburg for six in a row. Tickets can be purchased on the Red Sox website.

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Today in Roanoke:

• Family Fun Day and Easter Egg Hunt at Rivers Edge North (9 a.m.)
• Poetry Cafe at Raleigh Court Branch Library (11 a.m.)
• Felix- Queenpin Family Wellness Fundraiser at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (6:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at Berglund Center (7 p.m.)
• The What Four & Copy Cat Syndrome at The Spot on Kirk (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "The first baby songbird of 2023 is a House Finch! We admitted this little tyke a few days ago after the nest was found destroyed. This single survivor was rescued out of the mouth of a cat." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Buddy is such a cool dog! He can run and be energetic, but he also loves to sprawl out on the grass (we call that splooting) with all four legs stretched out and enjoy the scenery and some snuggles of course!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "Easter Weekend is FILLED with outdoor activities. Visit the 'events' page on our website for all the details on some great events, including the Lick Run Farm Spring Social and Egg Hunt 🐣 Easter Eggsploration at Explore Park 🚴 and more!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Strawberry Festival: "Strawberry Festival Dessert Tickets are on sale now! We have discounted prices, waived online fees, and a limited quantity of Buy 1, Get 1 half off tickets available now! Make sure you take advantage of these discounts and buy today!" (Strawberry Festival via Facebook)
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: "The RSO is so proud of our student musicians! Two members of the Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra auditioned and were selected to participate with the Honor Band of America this last weekend!" (Roanoke Symphony Orchestra via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll be back tomorrow morning with 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com