🌱 Refreshment Zone Extended + Ceremony To Honor Vinton Firefighters

Happy Friday, Roanokers! Here's a look at the news that will get you started and ready for the 5pm whistle.

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First, today's weather:

A couple of heavy thunderstorms possible.

High: 86 Low: 72.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The "Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area" or "zone" depending on who you ask has proven to be so popular among area residents and visitors that city officials have decided to extend its trial for another two months through September. The DORA as it has come to be called is centered around the City Market building and nearby parts of Market Street and Campbell Avenue and allows patrons to carry alcoholic beverages from place to place in specially marked cups. "We were just kind of experimenting with it to see how it would go and knowing that we would have the opportunity to extend it if it went well. So, everything went well, it was positive, so we've extended it," said Jamie Clark, a spokesperson for Downtown Roanoke, Inc. (WFIR)
2. Roanoke County and Town of Vinton officials recently held a ceremony to honor the area firefighters and EMS technicians who responded to the fire in downtown Vinton on July 2. The fire claimed a building at the corner of Pollard and Lee streets and damaged several others. Town Manager Pete Peters, Mayor Brad Grose and Vinton Area Supervisor Jason Peters gathered along with other government officials and area residents in Fire Station No. 2. "The fire will be long remembered as part of Vinton’s history and so will the actions of many courageous, hardworking, devoted people who responded on that tragic day. Every aspect of the horrific event — from the initial quick and professional response, continuing in the teamwork and cooperation that was displayed throughout the entire day, to the immediate community response — was inspiring and encouraging," said Mayor Grose. (Vinton Messenger)
3. Dr. Robyn Hakanson, an orthopaedic surgeon at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem, founded the Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach organization along with four other female doctors in her field, a rarity as less than 10% of orthopaedic surgeons are women. The group is a non-profit run entirely by females and focuses on providing full knee replacement surgeries in the developing world for free. To date, the group has performed surgeries in five different countries and does it all within a week's time during each trip. "We did 40 knee replacements and these were some very … very happy people. We went to an elementary school and we spent two complete days there and got new shoes for all of the kids who were in this school. It’s all within a week. We do all of this within a week," Hakanson said. (WSLS, WOBO Website)
4. The first of over 60 beagles rescued by Angels of Assisi are beginning to find permanent homes with ten puppies having gone home with families in recent days. The puppies were rescued from a breeding facility in Central Virginia called Envigo. According to AoA's community engagement director, Dayna Reynolds, there are still many puppies who aren't old enough to be adopted, but the ones who are and have been are very happy. "They’re just adjusting really well and they’re starting to do normal dog things and play with toys, learn how to go out and run around on the grass. It’s just really heartwarming to see." (WDBJ)
5. The now retired president of Roanoke college, Michael Maxey, is looking forward to the finer things in life like visits with his grandson he said in an interview on his first official day of retirement. Maxey has been in leadership roles with Roanoke college since 1985 and said he still wants to help and be available, but will not get in the new president's way. He plans to take some time to decide on new projects and hopes to pinpoint a worthy project. "I want to help my profession, I want to help colleges succeed, and I certainly want to help Roanoke succeed. And I want to help my community, because that’s so important to me. To be able to tackle all that as my next project, it’s fun," he said. (The Daily Progress)

Today in Roanoke:

• Fuzzy Logic at the Daleville Town Center (5 p.m.)
• Led Head at First Fridays downtown (5 p.m.)
• Cimmaron at Salem after 5 at the Salem Farmers Market (5 p.m.)
• Botetourt County Fair at Buchanan Fair Grounds (5:30 p.m.)
• Emerge at the Taubman Museum of Art (6 p.m.)
• Big Lick Comic Con 90s Party at Awful Arthur’s (7 p.m.)
• Darryl Hall with Special Guest Todd Rundgren at Elmwood Park (7:30 p.m.)
• Gasoline Alley at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Thank you Roanoke for another fantastic National Night Out! We appreciate all the love and support from the community, and we are already looking forward to next year!" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "It's that time of year ... our awesome IT team is prepping computers and delivering them to schools! Thank you to our tech team for working hard to ensure our students and teachers have the devices they need to learn and teach!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke: "Thank you to Beth (Branch Group), David (Branch Group), and Carla (Brown Edwards) for volunteering to make sure our Back 2 School Blast goes off without a hitch! They have been packing out trailers and getting items ready for this weekend!" (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "Embrace your inner nature lover and join the next Women's Nature Hike at Explore Park on August 13. It's free! [More details in our profile link.]" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Alcova Mortgage Park It on the Market returns Friday, August 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. to gather school supplies for Roanoke City Public Schools! You can bring a cash donation or any of the items listed. Look for the bus at The Historic City Market." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you tomorrow!

— 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