🌱 Is Roanoke A 'Beer Town?' + Who Wants To Be A Roanoke Millionaire?

Hello, everybody! It's Friday! And here's the Roanoke Daily with what's happening in the community today. In today's issue, you'll find news about...

• The first ever strategic plan for one area department
• New nursing college set to open
• Two ways to help the city develop a flood plan

Ready?

But first, today's weather:

Cooler; breezy in the morning.

High: 48 Low: 33.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. One of only six tickets nationwide to match the first five numbers of the recent Mega Millions drawing was purchased in Roanoke County and the winner has yet to come forward. The ticket was purchased at the Clearbrook Mini Mart just south of Walmart on Route 220 and the holder has 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus from the Virginia Lottery for selling a winning ticket. The winning numbers were 25-29-33-41-44, and the Mega Ball number was 18. (WDBJ)
2. Roanoke has become known as a "beer town" by many because of the number of craft breweries located within its borders and in nearby counties like Franklin and Botetourt. But a recent trend is bucking that, the opening of craft cocktail bars such as Sidecar and Bloom, both restaurant and wine bars, which feature an extensive menu of liquor (and liqueur) creations worthy of trendy bars in places like London and Paris. The drinks on these menus include the Down On Main Street made with Evan Williams 1783 bourbon and the Sidecar made with French Cognac and will certainly help fill out the Star City's burgeoning drink scene. (WFIR)
3. Galen College of Nursing, an affiliate of HCA Virginia Health System which operates area clinics and hospitals under the name LewisGale, has announced that they will be opening a campus in Roanoke. The college hopes to have an impact on the need for nurses in the Roanoke Region and beyond and will be beginning classes in April. "We have state-of-the-art facilities. This campus has three clinical learning labs, it will have a simulation center, so the students really have access to everything they would need to be an excellent nurse," said the college's Associate Director of Campus Operations Molly Lewis. Applications for admission to the Roanoke campus are available here. (WSET)
4. Roanoke County Fire and Rescue has released a comprehensive strategic plan for the first time ever for the coming 2023- 2025 period. The plan is designed to show county officials and citizens what the department plans to focus on and includes recruitment and advances in technology. "This strategic plan helps identify, and not just a guess, not a wish list, but really puts emphasis on some data analysis through real life observations and using what we have in our resources," said Chief Travis Griffith. The full strategic plan is available to review here. (WDBJ)
5. Roanoke City officials are asking the public to help in creating a Roanoke Flood Resilience Plan and have released two surveys to gather citizen input. The plan is intended to help make sure Roanoke is prepared in advance for flood events and positioned for a speedy recovery in the aftermath. Development of the plan is being paid for by a recent grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the surveys are available here and here. No date was given for the ending of the survey period. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Transform Masquerade Ball at the Taubman Museum of Art (5 p.m.)
• The Legend of the Tuskegee Airmen at Center in the Square (5:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Macon Mayhem at the Berglund Center Coliseum (7 p.m.)
• Lost in Space Camp / No More Waffles / Foster Burton & Landon Carder at The Spot on Kirk (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke County Police Department: "Missing/Endangered Person Alert: Please be on the lookout. Roanoke County Police is attempting to locate missing/possibly endangered 27 years of age, W/F Katie Rose Freeman. Katie was last seen walking in the Vinton/Roanoke County area." (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "It's a new year and Sheriff Hash is committed to the health and wellness of our employees as well as ensuring leadership is strengthened and harvested throughout the department. As the year begins, the Sheriff felt it important to address supervisors and explain expectations while offering tools such as the '5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership.'" (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Congratulations to Quiana Fields for being featured in the The Roanoker Magazine's 40 Under 40 Class of 2023. The list highlights leaders who are making a difference in Roanoke. As an E3+ Lead Teacher, Ms. Fields provides coaching and support to teachers at Fallon Park Elementary School." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: "🏀 Who would like to see Virginia Tech Hokies play North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Cassell Coliseum? 🏀 We're giving away four tickets for this SOLD OUT game to one lucky winner! Click the link to learn how to enter." (Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "An interesting tail AND an interesting tale on this bird. One of the most colorful birds we have in Virginia is the Northern Flicker, a species of woodpecker who specializes in ants! This patient was found outside and thought to be dead. His rescuers were actually about to bury him when they noticed he was still alive and brought him to us!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)

There you go — you're all caught up for today. Plan to head out this weekend for some of those new signature cocktails mentioned above and I'll see you tomorrow for the Saturday edition!

— 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