🌱 Roanoke Home Prices Soar + Girls Fire Camp in Botetourt

Hi, everybody! It's Monday. Again. Amazing how that happens, isn't it? Anyways, I'm back in your inbox this morning with the most important things happening in town. Here's the lowdown...

First, today's weather:

Sun and some clouds.

High: 81 Low: 61. Enjoy it while you can ... I hear the 90s are making a comeback later this week.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. Botetourt County Fire & EMS hosted a Girls Fire Camp Saturday designed to teach school age girls that firefighting and emergency medical services aren't just a man's job. Participants in the camp got a chance to see what life as a first responder was like as an accident scene was mocked up and Carilion's Lifeflight Helicopter responded. "Some of the girls would say, ‘girls can’t do that.’ So we said, ‘we need to take care of that,’”organizer Taylor Lunsford, recruitment and retention specialist for Botetourt County said. (Roanoke Times)
2. The Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors reported last week that Roanoke area median home prices have risen by 11% over the last year and 21% since the beginning of 2021. That means the home that would have cost $285,000 in 2021 is now closer to $344,000 on average. President of the RVAR, Ashley Wainwright Donahue, said the low supply and high demand is effecting realtors, too. "Where we would typically see much, much higher stats on available homes in the market, we’re seeing a quarter of those homes available now." (WDBJ)
3. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke is advising that people who see a white tailed deer and think that it needs help take time to reevaluate. A recent press release from the center says despite all the dangers in the wild, a fawn’s best chance is always with its mother. What doesn't look right to people might be perfectly normal for the deer. “Fawns under two weeks of age are left alone for periods of time (sometimes up to or beyond 12 hours) during the day while the mom forages,” the press release read. (Roanoke Times)
4. The Mill Mountain Zee recently hosted its first 'Breakfast With the Animals' of the season in which families, and particularly kids, can join the zoo's animals for their morning meal. The event is held the third Saturday of every month through the summer and must be signed up for in advance. "I think that’s really exciting to see kids interested in science and interested in animals. I love that. That’s my favorite part, said Bambi Godkin, education manager. (WDBJ)
5. Recent state budget amendments by Governor Glenn Youngkin include $6 million for the county of Botetourt to construct a new Fincastle Museum. To get the money, the county would have to supply $500,000 in matching local funds. “It’s consistent with some of our recent initiatives and things happening around the county, like the Lewis and Clark Trail and Historic Greenfield. There’s a new interest in our heritage in Botetourt County and this beautifully supports that. It's timely," Supervisor Steve Clintonsaid. The museum would be located within the bounds of Fincastle and the money would be able to go to site acquisition, design, and construction. (The Botetourt Bee)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Monday Night Games & Vinyl at Crystal Spring Grocery Co. (4 p.m.)
• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke Valley Sports Club Presents: Coach Pry and Mike Burnop at the Salem Civic Center (5:45 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA said, "We are so grateful for our friends at George's Flowers who created Logan's Legacy, a project designed to support local animal shelters. Each quarter, George's makes a donation to the Roanoke Valley SPCA." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke said, "Thank you to the Roanoke Church of the Brethren and their sister church in Pennsylvania came and volunteered Monday- Wednesday! Great work. Clearly, they had a blast!" (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation would like you to "Join us on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. for Mommy & Me @ VMT! Each week will be filled with a story, craft, and a fun snack to end the group! June 22 will be pirate themed! The price is $10 per week or $40 for all five weeks." (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre said, "CASTING CALL: ADULT ACTORS. We are now accepting submissions from adult actors for our upcoming productions of The Secret Garden and Beauty & The Beast. Submit today to be considered! Submit a performance reel, resume and headshot." (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)

There you have it! You're all caught up for today. See you tomorrow 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