🌱 Roanoke A Guinea Pig For Heat Research + Star Student Nomination

Hello again, friends! It's Sunday and I'm here to get you all caught up on what's happening around town with the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Let's go!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 65 Low: 39.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors. Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages, at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us. Our first submission for Roanoke comes from Sueann Tupy who nominated Roeth, a seventh grader. "Roeth has been an amazing student in the seven years I have known him. He was in my Spanish Immersion kindergarten class seven years ago. He was a shy and curious 5-year-old. Over the years, he became a role model for our school and was kind and proactive," said Tupy. To find out more about Roeth and how to make nominations of your own visit this page. (Patch)
2. The Roanoke Regional Partnership is tweaking a program originally designed for college interns to include new hires in the Star City area. The program is known as OnBoard ROA and it's being changed and beefed up because research shows that social connections — known as making friends outside of the walls of government buildings and think tanks — is what makes an area "sticky" and increases the likelihood that people will stay around awhile. The program targets those between the ages of 18-25 and aims to introduce them to the many amenities the Roanoke area has to offer including the burgeoning brewery scene and outdoors activities. The program is an 8 week introduction experience and you can register here. (WFIR)
3. Researchers at Virginia Tech are examining the connection between heat in urban areas and the effects it has on the people who live there and Roanoke is the guinea pig. "Heat affects us in ways we never really understand. It can affect the way we live, the way we take our medications, and the way we do activities, but also violent crime, suicide rates, depression, things that we wouldn’t normally immediately consider," said Dr. Will Taber, an emergency medicine doctor at Carilion who is working with Dr. Theodore Lim of Virginia Tech on the study. The City of Roanoke Sustainability Office will be developing a plan based on the research to help mitigate the effects of heat in both long term and short term ways. (WSLS)
4. A new book has been written and dedicated to the many stories and lessons a Franklin County man has shared with his children over the course of their lives. Penny Edwards Blue wanted to capture the spirit of protest alive in the many moments her father, Charles Edwards, shared with her and her siblings. "You actually have to be taught to be a second-class citizen, and we were never taught how to be second-class citizens. And so that’s the thread of these stories. Every day incidents that would occur, if it wasn’t right my dad protested," said Blue. The book is titled ‘A Time to Protest: Leadership Lessons From My Father Who Survived the Segregated South for 99 Years’ and is available online here. A book signing is scheduled for Saturday May 6 at the Gainsboro library in Roanoke. (WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

• Roanoke Diversity Center 10-Year Anniversary Brunch at Center in the Square (11 a.m.)
• Spring Woodcraft Paint Party at Twin Creeks Brewpub (2 p.m.)
• Opera Roanoke presents War Requiem at Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Our amazing veterinarian Dr. Karen saved this Eastern Ratsnake's life after performing surgery to remove this wooden egg this snake had swallowed! Around the Easter holidays rehabbers admit many snakes that swallow fake eggs." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Yesterday 1st Lt. Stephen Curry was recognized for the Red Cross Hero Award he received in 2020, when he was vacationing with his family and risked his life to save a young boy from drowning in the ocean. Congratulations!" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "We had a great time connecting our students with Roanoke Valley employers last night at the second annual RCPS Works student job fair! Thank you to the more than 80 businesses who came out to help our students find internships and summer jobs!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Sunday! See you all tomorrow morning for 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