🌱 'Pooches In The Pool' + Updated City Flood Plans

Hello, friends! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here's all the community news you need to know including these stories and more:

• Virginia Western Community College program helps foster youth get their degrees.
• Artisan Saturdays headed to Explore Park.
• Roanoke College Poll indicates few changes in feelings about Youngkin/Biden/Trump.

Let's motor! 🚙

But first, today's weather: Pleasant with clouds and sun. High: 79 Low: 56.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Virginia has nearly 5,400 children in its foster care system, and many face challenges when they age out at 18, with 20 percent ending up homeless. To help current and former foster youth succeed, Virginia Western Community College offers the Great Expectations Program, which is part of the Virginia Community College System. The program aims to help these students graduate high school and college at higher rates than the national average of just 8 percent for former foster youth completing a degree. With extra support for enrollment, financial aid, jobs, and other responsibilities, Great Expectations students complete college at three times the national rate. The program provides a valuable opportunity for Virginia's foster youth to gain a leg up on their futures through higher education. (WDBJ)
2. The City of Roanoke has announced approval of updated floodplain maps along the 10-mile stretch of the Roanoke River within city limits, reflecting decades of flood mitigation efforts. The new maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) indicate 44 percent of the over 1,400 studied parcels are now deemed lower risk, while just 4 percent face higher risk classifications. The majority of changes come from the $72.5 million Roanoke River Flood Reduction Project between the city and Army Corps of Engineers, which acquired flood-prone land, built levees and floodwalls, and created bench cuts along the riverbanks. While some owners will need to adjust insurance coverage or development plans, the updated data provides the most accurate assessment of flooding risk to guide resilience efforts. (Cardinal News)
3. Before summer ends, Roanoke County's Splash Valley water park is hosting a "Pooches in the Pool" event on Sept. 9, allowing dogs to swim and cool off. The Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection will provide free dog tags, and there will be costume contests and photos. Splash Valley has separate time slots for small and large dogs, and dogs must be vaccinated with waivers signed. Pre-registration is required for the $7 admission fee, which also allows an equivalent donation to the animal center. The event gives local dogs a chance to enjoy Splash Valley's pools before the summer ends. (WFXR)
4. On Sept. 16, Explore Park in Roanoke County will host Artisan Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing visitors to watch local artisans demonstrate their crafts and enjoy free family activities. The artisans will have their work on display and available for purchase. The event, put on by Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, provides an opportunity to connect with local artists while enjoying a day out at Explore Park. Visitors can watch pottery, glasswork, painting, and other crafts being created while participating in park attractions. (WDBJ)
5. According to a recent poll by the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College, Virginians' approval of Gov. Glenn Youngkin and President Joe Biden remains mostly unchanged since May 2022, with 51 percent and 40 percent approval respectively. The poll also found Donald Trump maintains a strong lead as Virginia Republicans' preferred 2024 presidential nominee at 47 percent, while Biden leads Trump 51 percent to 42 percent in a hypothetical 2024 matchup. Around half of Virginians believe Trump did something illegal regarding classified documents and the 2020 election, showcasing partisan divides. The poll indicates Virginians' views are largely shaped by partisanship, from approval of leaders to positions on key issues like abortion and education. (WDBJ)

Big love to our local sponsor. We couldn’t keep the community informed without you!

Are you or a loved one looking to move or downsize during your golden years? Crowning Touch Senior Moving Services is a one-stop-shop for any senior planning a move, and the only company that handles every aspect of downsizing — packing, loading and unloading, storing, and even selling unwanted items in their consignment shop or auction house. People who are moving, downsizing or need cleanouts agree that working with Crowning Touch is well worth it! Visit here to learn more.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Today in Roanoke:

Thursday, August 31

• Sound Immersion at Community Night at Morningside Urban Farm (6 p.m.)
• The Journey Within: Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Live at the Jefferson Center (6:30 p.m.)
• Karaoke at 2 Chill Restaurant (7 p.m.)
• Willie De at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "'I don’t want to let go!' We still have many small Virginia opossums we are rehabbing at the Center including this little boy who has stolen our hearts. Virginia opossums have one of the lowest brain to body masses out of any marsupial." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Did you know all of our newly adopted pets come with a Healthy Start Certificate? This certificate includes a free health exam and 14-day limited follow-up care with one of our local veterinary clinic partners." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Fall in Virginia's Blue Ridge is almost upon us! 🍂Looking for a festival, family friendly activities, or fall-related fun? We've got you covered in our newest blog post featuring 50 local events! 🎉 Click here to plan your next day out!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• The Journey Within - Meditation and Wisdom with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (August 31)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early 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