🌱 Roanoke Approves Property Tax Rebate + City Council Primary Results

Hello, Roanoke neighbors! It's Thursday and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town. I'll get right to it.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny.

High: 88 Low: 67.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke City Council, in an almost unheard of move for the city, approved a Personal Property Tax Rebate for residents who are paid up by the end of August. The Council voted 5-2 for the motion and the payments will begin in September with each resident getting 17.5% of the amount they paid back in a one time payment. The move comes after the city reported receiving more than double the amount it expected in Personal Property Taxes this year. (WSLS)
2. The Veterans Administration hospital in Salem has renamed its women's health center to honor retired Master Sgt. Silverine Vinyard James, a longtime patient and a pioneer among female veterans. The women's health center has been on the campus for many years, but officials wanted to formally dedicate it and honor James. "She has been truly a pioneer in terms of female veterans and kind of a local hero for us and for everything that she’s accomplished,” Rebecca Stackhouse, director of the center, said. “Being female, being African American, entering the service when she did, attaining the rank that she did is pretty much unheard of especially for women at that time." (Roanoke Times)
3. The November election for Roanoke City Council is now set with nine candidates running for three open seats after Tuesday's primary that saw the elimination of some candidates. The field will feature three democrats, three republicans, and three independents and will be held on November 8 with other statewide elections. The results remain uncertified, but with 22 of 23 precincts reporting none of the eliminated candidates can reverse their fate. (Roanoke Times)
4. Roanoke City Manager, Bob Cowell, recently gave an update on projects that were made possible with pandemic relief funds. The city received a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act of $64.5 million and allowed several previously approved projects to get underway including $3 million to expand bus transit; $3 million to expand employment; and $2 million to reduce gun violence. In addition $13 million was allocated to the Eureka Park Recreation Center; $10 million to develop food access and financial wellness in the Melrose Avenue and 24th Street NW area; and $5 million went to the Gainsboro neighborhood for the development of minority and women-owned small businesses. Cowell also floated (pun fully intended) some new ideas including a kayaking project located in Wasena Park. (Roanoke Times)
5. Kids enrolled in the West End Center's summer program made their seventh annual West End Walk earlier this week. The one mile walk from the center to The Grandin Theater has become a much loved tradition and organizers say it's something the kids look forward to every year. "We want kids in our city growing up in the Grandin. We want them to know that this historic building, which is the oldest arts and cultural organization in the valley, is a place for everyone," Ian Fortier, general manager of The Grandin Theatre, said. (WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

• Central Virginia Business Coalition Coffee Talk at RND Coffee’s Vinton location (7:30 a.m.)
• Live music: Leonard Blush & The Camelcals at Big Lick Brewing Company (5:30 p.m.)
• Party in the Park featuring Too Much Sylvia in Elmwood Park (5:30 p.m.)
• Author Event: Stephen Hussey’s “Understanding the Heart” at Book No Further (6 p.m.)
• Family Fishing Night presented by Star City Sustainability Society at Smith Park (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke College: "We are happy to see our new students on campus for the first summer orientation session! They got right to work assisting with R-House, the college's annual Habitat For Humanity project!" (Roanoke College - Salem, VA via Instagram)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Our first time participating in the # Give Local NRV giving day starts tonight at midnight and runs for just 24 hours‼️ Special thanks to the Community Foundation of the New River Valley for putting all this together." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "May we never forget... Patrolman John H. Leverett End of Watch: Wednesday, June 21, 1916. (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "The Fishburn Park garden is looking good! We can't wait to see photos all summer long of students helping Ms. Wende!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "This might not be the happiest looking face, but Bella was very much enjoying rubbing against her scratcher. Have you ever wondered why cats tend to rub their faces on and scratch so many things?" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools would like you to know that "Summer Enrichment Athletic Camps begin on July 1! So far, approximately 150 students have signed up. Registration for lacrosse and tennis closes today! Sign up throughout the summer to learn new skills and have fun. Camps are free." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "The Roanoke Beer & Wine Festival heads to Elmwood Park this Saturday. Grab your tickets and enjoy a weekend downtown 🍻🥂" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke: "Our Manna Food Pantry will be featured on WSLS 10 / WSLS.com today! Tune in for the 5 p.m. broadcast to hear about the amazing work being done and how the Manna Pantry is a critical anti-homelessness tool at the The Rescue Mission of Roanoke." (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)

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You're all caught up 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