🌱 Residents Heating w/ Charcoal Grills + New Mural On McClanahan St.

Good morning, friends! It's Thursday in Roanoke (and everywhere else, too, from what I'm told) and here's a fresh edition of the Roanoke Daily, including updates on:

• Future of Catawba Hospital being studied
• Shooting in SE Roanoke
• Goodwill asking for last minute donations

Let's go!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and mild.

High: 59 Low: 32.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded twice over the recent cold snap to calls for carbon monoxide poisoning. Seven people in two separate incidents were hospitalized after trying to heat their homes with charcoal grills. Grills produce high amounts of CO, an odorless chemical, and are not meant to be used indoors. Brian Clingenpeel, the Outreach Coordinator for Roanoke Fire and Rescue, said, "It was just kind of this perfect combination of … we had power outages, we had extremely cold temperatures, and we had the holidays. I think people were very desperate for some heat and just looking for any resources that they could find. We don’t want to have this happen again. So we want to get that message out there, please do not use things like grills or even your oven … anything that’s not meant to heat your home should not be used to heat your home." (WSLS)
2. The future of Catawba Hospital, located in a rural part of Roanoke County, has been under review for some time and the first part of a report requested by the Virginia General Assembly has recently been issued. The report starts by tracing the history of the property, which dates all the way back to the 19th century and was once used as a resort, and concludes by seeming to make a strong case for the transformation of the facility into a substance abuse treatment and recovery service, something State Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) is very much in favor of doing. "There is just a glaring need for more resources with regards to substance use disorder. Some of the data here shows that there’s going to be a 37% increase in the need, so we will need residential treatment beds. We’ve got to be able to help the families who will be in need.” The study is expected to include a full analysis and multiple options when concluded. (WDBJ)
3. Roanoke City Police responded to the 1500 block of Kirk Avenue SE shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday for reports of a man with a gunshot wound and found a subject wandering around with what was thought to be a non-life threatening GSW. The man was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment by Roanoke Fire EMS. There was no word as to whether the victim was cooperating with police, but no suspects were found at the scene and no arrests have been made. The incident is under investigation and police are asking that anyone with any information please come forward. Calls and texts can be made anonymously. (WSLS)
4. Goodwill Industries has reported that donations tend to decrease during the cold, winter months and are asking people to donate now as they clear their homes of unwanted items to make room for new items purchased or received during the Christmas holiday. Donating now before the end of the year means being able to include the value of the donation on your 2022 tax return. Jim Forer, Vice President of Donated Goods for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, said, "Individuals and families benefit from the public’s generous donations they entrust to Goodwill. Donating to Goodwill is an investment in our community, as it helps to provide training, skills, and job opportunities to those in need. By giving to Goodwill, you are helping to create opportunities and a better future for people in our communities." Area donation centers are operating from 9 a.m. — 7 p.m. through New Years Eve. (Roanoke Star)
5. A physician recruiting service based in Roanoke, ETS Recruit on McClanahan Street, wanted to spruce up their building and help attract attention to their services and decided to do so by hiring an artist to paint a mural. The mural highlights many of the outdoor activities available to Roanoke area residents such as hiking trails and biking and running on the greenways and is located on the north and east facing walls of ETS' headquarters at 319 McClanahan Street. ETS wants the memorial to help set both their business and the area apart and hopes to "have a positive impact on the community through the arts," said the company's president, Mark Kennedy. (WSET)

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Today in Roanoke:

• R&B Karaoke at 2 Chill Restaurant (7 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Quad City Storm at the Berglund Center Coliseum (7 p.m.)
• Circles Around the Sun w. Kolumbo at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (7:30 p.m.)
• Gak! 90s Tribute and Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "What a handsome woodpecker! This is a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -- this patient hit a window and is recovering from the strike, slated to go outside for pre-release once the weather is a tad warmer (as to not shock the bird.)" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We depend on fosters! There simply is not enough room inside area shelters for the number of pets coming in at one time. Fosters save lives by housing pets for at least two weeks while they grow or heal, or just receive some much needed ..." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government: "Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Coordinator, Chris Roberts, and PLAY Roanoke collaborate to deliver over 120 affirmation gift bags to children, grades K-5, at Eureka, Preston, and Grandin Court after-school programs." (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Are you looking for something to do with the kids over break? ❄ @wdbj7's Elmwood on Ice is perfect for kids AND adults! Plus, we have skate aids to help those who are still learning to skate. ⛸ Admission is just $6." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "We are so thankful for your support of our production of BEAUTY & THE BEAST. Thank you for joining us this holiday season!" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Looking for something to do with your little one this week? We'd love for you to check out one of our story times! (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

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There you are —all caught up for today! I'll see you 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com