🌱 Rail Yard Dawgs Set For New Season + Police Chase Ends in One Dead

Good morning and happy Saturday friends! Keep reading for the latest goings on around the 'noke.

First, today's weather:

Humid with a thunderstorm or two.

High: 81 Low: 68.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. In a scene right out of an action movie, Roanoke City Police were alerted to a potentially suicidal individual in the vicinity of Hollins Road, but before officers could respond, the subject fled. Officers then located the subject traveling north on Orange Avenue and attempted a traffic stop, but again the subject fled. This lead police on a miles long pursuit that involved officers attempting to disable the vehicle with pursuit intervention devices and ended in Botetourt County after the individual lost control of his vehicle on Read Mountain Road. Sadly, there was to be no happy ending as the individual chose to take his own life. The situation caused the closure of Read Mountain Road for the better part of Thursday evening and Botetourt County Sheriff Matt Ward said his office would be handling the investigation. At the time of this report details were still emerging, but one individual was charged and arrested in relation to the situation. (WSET)
2. Local and state official met Thursday in Roanoke to talk about long planned improvements to Interstate 81. The General Assembly approved a funding bill for improvements three years ago and it looks like those projects are about to begin moving forward. Botetourt County Delegate Terry Austin was elected chairman of the panel and said, "We’re very challenged with I-81, 320 miles through the Commonwealth. It’s in tremendous need of improvement and that’s what this committee is tasked with doing. We had not seen improvements on I-81 since the ‘50s when it was constructed, to any magnitude. And the benefit and the value of that (additional funding) is these improvements are over all of the 320-mile corridor. It’s not in any one transportation district." (WDBJ)
3. The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs ice hockey season is just over 90 days away and the team is set with 28 home dates for the 2022-23 season. Of the 28 games scheduled at the Berglund Center, 21 will take place on a Friday or Saturday night, which is always fantastic for area residents. The protected player list is in place and the core team that led the Dawgs' 2021-22 playoff run will return. Fan favorites Travis Armstrong, Jeff Jones, Brant Sherwood, and Gehrett Sargis have not yet decided on whether or not they will return. Coach Dan Bremner said, "They’ve each made a great impact on the team during their time with the Dawgs, and they’ll be contemplating their hockey futures this summer. I told all four of them that they’ll always have a home in Roanoke should they decide to return next season, so we’ll wait and see.” (The Roanoke Star)
4. The Roanoke Valley SPCA's Paws to Read Program is back to encourage children to read while school is on break this summer and to help reduce the stress levels of cats and kittens in the organization's shelter. Children aged 5 years and older can sign up for 30 minute sessions for $5, which includes access to the SPCA’s lending library, a bookmark, pencil, and time with adorable, adoptable animals. "It’s great for kids if they’re having problems reading, or maybe they’re not comfortable reading in front of people. It helps them to have some exposure with the animals, and it really helps our animals,” said RVSPCA Marketing and Communications Director, Julie Rickmond. (WSLS 10)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Horse & Hound Wine Festival at Peaks of Otter Winery and Orchards (10 a.m.)
• Downtown Food and Cultural Tour hosted by Tour Roanoke (11 a.m.)
• National Car Collector Appreciation Day at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (11 a.m.)
• Cocktail Making Workshop at Crystal Spring Grocery Co. (3 p.m.)
• Dog Bowl Concert Series featuring The Kings at Black Dog Salvage’s Dog Bowl (5 p.m.)
• Red Hot Soiree at the Penthouse at Center in the Square (7 p.m.)
• Live music: The Thrillbillyz at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We made a post for Boss last month saying he had earned the title of "long timer". This month Boss is still here with us. As much as we love having him here and care for him so much, we would love even more for him to find his furever home." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke: "Derek is in the home stretch of his recovery program! He has been here for about a year, working on his wellness and spirituality. His journey has been one of patience and persistence. Let’s hear it for Derek!" (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke College: "When Virginia’s new governor, Glenn Youngkin, took office in January, two Roanoke College alumni assumed new positions in the Commonwealth as well. Bryan Horn ’89 is now serving as the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, and Nicole Riley ’95 now serves as the Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade." (Roanoke College via Instagram)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "We would like to extend this invitation to everyone! "The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority will welcome the inaugural second passenger train to Roanoke at 12:56 p.m. on July 11. The public is invited to cheer on the train’s arrival." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Be free! This beautiful ovenbird broke her wing in two after hitting a window and with veterinary attention, physical therapy and time managed to make a full recovery!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "Concerts By Canoe is back again this weekend in Franklin County featuring The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee." (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)

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Events:

• Purcellville Wine and Food Festival (July 16)
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You're all caught up for today! I'll be back 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