🌱 Roanoke City Police Lawsuits + 311/419 Intersection Interruptions

It's Friday! You made it! And here's a fresh Roanoke Daily to get you all caught up on what's happening in the 'noke!

First, today's weather:

Gusty winds and afternoon thunderstorms -- business as usual around here for this time a year.

High: 92 Low: 67.

👀 Attention local businesses & marketers: Attract more customers in Roanoke by sponsoring this daily newsletter, which gets read by the same people you're trying to reach. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. Blue Ridge Literacy, a Roanoke based nonprofit that focuses on teaching English and citizenship preparedness classes to adult learners, recently received an $8,000 grant from The Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Ahoo Salem, executive director of the organization, said the funds will go to support programming for the more than 250 foreign-born adults who participate in BRL’s classes. (Roanoker)
2. The Local Office on Aging is hosting a Let's Give Lunch fundraiser to help their Meals On Wheels program. The event will be held today at North Roanoke Baptist Church from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Your $20 donation will get you lunch and help Meal On Wheels provide meals for three seniors in the Roanoke Valley. Ron Boyd, president of LOA, said "Meals on Wheels is just one of the 32 community-based programs we provide. It is probably the most visible in the community because it is going on every day, among the volunteers. It helps our mission. The mission of LOA is helping older persons remain independent for as long as possible.” (WSLS)
3. Two Roanoke City police officers have filed file lawsuits against the Roanoke City Police Department alleging unsafe working conditions, sexual harassment, and denied promotions. The officers, both lieutenants, are each asking for $5 million in equitable relief, compensatory, liquidated, and/or punitive damages and first filed suit in October 2021. The police department denies the allegations and the case is expected to continue for some time. (Roanoke Times)
4. Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce leader Joyce Waugh announces retirement (Roanoke Times)
5. The Roanoke Youth Summit returns to Washington Park on June 25 after two years of being cancelled due to COVID-19. The free event will feature food and fun activities aimed at area middle school and high school students. Anita Price, a member of Roanoke City Council said, "This is an opportunity for us to not only let our young people know how much they are appreciated, but we want them to know that we understand that they, like so many other people, have been through some very difficult times." (WDBJ)
6. Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded to a backyard scene on View Avenue when a man reported being stuck in the bucket of a truck being used to trim trees. Upon arriving at the scene firefighters and paramedics discovered the truck's hydraulic system had malfunctioned and left the man stranded about 50 feet in the air. Firefighters used a ladder truck to rescue the man and he was able to walk down on his own. (WDBJ)
7. The Virginia Department of Transportation has reported that the intersection of Routes 311 and 419 in Salem's Hanging Rock area will be detoured beginning June 20 for the construction of a new roundabout. VDOT is asking drivers to be aware of significant impacts that will temporarily prevent access between Routes 311 and 419. Drivers will need to use 1-81 exits 140 and 141 to work their way around the project. (WDBJ)

From our sponsor:

Are you a Roanoke resident looking for an investment alternative to the stock market?

Bloomberg recently asked experts where they’d invest $100,000 right now, and many of them had the same answer: fine art.

Thinking you can’t afford a Picasso? Well in 2012, Congress passed the JOBS Act, which allowed for the securitization of artwork. A company called Masterworks.io built the largest platform for buying and selling art securities. In the past, you could only buy shares of companies like Apple, but with this investing app, you can unlock this powerful investment.

Meaning, you can invest in shares of million-dollar artwork. And in uncertain times, it turns out, fine art may be a wise investment. Here’s why:

• Low correlation to stocks according to Citi
• Contemporary art historically returns 23.2% when inflation is >3%
• Contemporary art prices outpaced the S&P 500 by 164% (1995-2021)

To learn more, visit Masterworks.io, where Roanoke Daily readers can skip the waitlist.

See important Reg A Disclosures

Today in Roanoke:

• Scavenger Hunt at Mill Mountain Discovery Center (10 a.m.)
• Mended Fences at First Fridays in Downtown Roanoke (5 p.m.)
• Movie at the Museum at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (5:30 p.m.)
• The Outlaws at Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges (6 p.m.)
• Zach Wiley & The Pariahs at Big Lick Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• Salem Red Sox vs. Delmarva Shorebirds at Salem Memorial Ballpark (7:05 p.m.)
• Air Supply and Little River Band at Elmwood Park (7:30 p.m.)
• Margaret Glaspy at the Jefferson Center’s Fostek Performance Hall (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools said, "Please join us in congratulating Dr. Brenda Russ, who was appointed as Principal of Round Hill Elementary School during last night's School Board meeting! She will start July 1." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA said, "For Wish List Wednesday, we are asking for donations of dry cat and dog food for our pet food pantry which is now completely empty. Any kind of dry food will do." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department said, "We can’t thank our friends at TGI Fridays enough for donating and grilling a delicious lunch for the RPD staff today. The burgers were delicious, and all of us greatly enjoyed your kindness and show of support." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government said, "We’re busy preparing to show the National Civic League why Roanoke is an All-America City! Learn more here: https://www.roanokeva.gov/2610." (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside said, "Volunteers needed! @usacycling is holding the 2022 USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships in Virginia's Blue Ridge June 29 to July 2." (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• City of Roanoke Government said, "City offices will be closed on Monday, June 20, in observance of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States." (City of Roanoke, Virginia via Facebook)
• Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley said, "Thank you to the employees from Marvin who came out to volunteer today at our WSLS 10 / WSLS.com 2022 Home for Good build site! Thank you for being a part of building a home for the Ali family!" (Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Hire A Pro To Clean Up The Yard For Dad (June 19)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for 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