🌱 Roanoke City Woman Found Safe + Speculation Over Major Company

Hello, friends! It's time for the Roanoke Patch Newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Including news about...

• Pick-your-own flower farm opens in Roanoke County.
• McKee named chief meteorologist at WFXR.
• RCPD is warning residents about foreign nationals committing fraud.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Partial sunshine. High: 83 Low: 65.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Roanoke City Police Department has located 63-year-old Kelly Louwerse Cusick, who had been reported as a missing endangered woman in need of medication since last being seen Friday around noon. Cusick, who has a medical condition requiring medication, is now safe after going missing while driving her light blue Tahoe with her dog Walter. The Roanoke Police had sought the public's help in finding Cusick, but she has since been located and her family notified. (WDBJ)
2. A new pick-your-own flower garden adjacent to Jamison Orchards in Roanoke County has opened. The garden is attracting butterflies, bees, and customers who enjoy cutting their own bouquets from 25 flower varieties grown on-site. Owner Jena Jamison said the self-serve flower garden, which honors her late flower-loving parents, has been popular with men buying flowers for their wives. Customers can pick flowers to fill a vase they select and take home a custom bouquet. Jamison says the first month has gone well and she is happy to share her lifelong love of flowers with customers at the farm. (Roanoke Times)
3. WFXR News has announced veteran meteorologist Patrick McKee is joining the station as chief meteorologist, bringing over two decades of experience in forecasting weather and reporting news. McKee, who previously worked at WFXR as morning meteorologist when the morning news launched in 2012, has served as chief meteorologist at KSWO in Oklahoma and in various on-air roles in the Roanoke-Lynchburg market. According to WFXR, McKee will lead the weather team in providing critical severe weather coverage and keeping the community informed and safe. (WFXR)
4. The vacant land in Roanoke previously planned for a Deschutes Brewery site may soon see new development as a distribution center under mysterious plans, code-named "Project Tinker." Though the company is unknown, plans show vans labeled "AMZ," suggesting possible Amazon involvement. The plans for the nearly 50-acre site show a facility employing over 200 people. While Amazon and the City of Roanoke decline to comment, this potential development could bring new jobs after the abandoned Deschutes brewery project left the land empty since its purchase in 2016. More details are still unfolding. (WSLS)
5. The Roanoke County Police Department is warning residents about foreign nationals committing fraud in the area. Police have evidence of groups, believed to be from Eastern Europe and South America, scamming people on roadsides and breaking into vehicles. The scammers solicit money from locals and send it overseas, while also stealing items from cars to resell abroad. Police advise being cautious, locking cars, leaving nothing inside, and carrying only essentials when out. They are investigating the crimes locally and with ICE for potential federal charges against the foreign scammers targeting Roanoke Valley citizens. (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

Tuesday, August 8

• Roanoke City School Board Meeting at William Fleming High School (5:30 p.m.)
• Salem Red Sox vs. Augusta Green Jackets at Salem Memorial Ballpark (7:05 p.m.)
• JSB Variety Show at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Save the dates! 🌻 The Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival returns Sept. 8-17! During festival weekends, enjoy their line-up of impressive craft and food vendors, hayrides, a farm animal petting area, and a children’s play area." (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "FOSTERS, WE NEED YOU! Kitten and puppy season has shown no signs of slowing down any time soon and we are once again reaching out for your help. We have an urgent plea regarding vulnerable puppies and kittens. We need fosters!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "It’s swift 'o'clock! Our baby Chimney Swifts have grown up and are ready to go outside — as you can see by their urge to fly around the bird room and land in various places during feeding time! 😂" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: "ROA recently completed an airfield marking project in and around Runway 16/34 using the latest thermoplastic material. Click the link to learn some fun facts about the thermoplastic markings we use! 🖌️" (Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com