🌱 Roanoke Man A Tennis Champion + Drug Take Back Day Locations

Good morning again, fellow Roanokers! It’s great to be back with you and to be getting back into my normal routine. In this edition we’ll cover:

• Roanoke’s Shining Stars
• A Monster at the Berglund Center
• And a bank robbery on Melrose!

Let’s motor!

But first, today's weather:

Sun and areas of high clouds.

High: 59 Low: 43.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke City Public Schools students recently participated in “Shining Stars of the Star City,” a grant-funded equity, resilience, and youth matter campaign. Students at seven area elementary schools were asked to draw the person they thought most inspired and supported them using a special set of skin tone crayons called “Colors of the World.” RCPS school counselor Shonda Gunn said, “I think it’s important for not only us, but people at home and people in the community to continue to talk to students about resiliency, anti-bullying, respect.” October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness Prevention Month and area schools have a number of events planned around that theme. (WDBJ)
2. The Western Virginia Water Authority, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, the Prevention Council of Roanoke County, and many area law enforcement agencies are teaming up this Saturday for National Drug Take Back Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in parking lots across the valley, these agencies and organizations will be collecting unwanted and expired medications to prevent them being used to make illicit drugs such as meth and from harming the environment. The drop off locations will not be accepting anything sharp such as needles or syringes but will accept vaping devices and cartridges. For a list of locations please click the link. (WSET)
3. The Truist bank located on the 2200 block of Melrose Avenue was robbed Wednesday morning and authorities are still searching for the suspect who fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police said the man entered the facility around 9:20 a.m., showed employees a firearm, and demanded they give him money. RCPD detectives are working to gather as much information as possible and are asking the public to call the police department at 540-344-8500 or text 274367 and start the message with “RoanokePD” if they have any information. (WSLS)
4. A 90-year-old man from Roanoke, Bill Kingery, was the winner of the 90-and-over men’s clay-court title at the USTA national tennis championships in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Kingery was an employee of Carter Machinery in Salem and Pre-Stress Concrete in Roanoke before his retirement in 1998 but has always had an interest in tennis and was taught to play, in part, by tennis pro Fred Rawlings. “He kind of took an interest in me and I started taking lessons. I had never taken a lesson in my life until then. I think I was having a good time but wasn’t really serious or competitive,” he said in a recent interview. Kingery is expected to rank nationally as high as No. 5 or 6 in his age group by the end of the year. (Cardinal News)
5. The Berglund Center will be the site of the Monster Flea Market this Saturday, Oct. 29. The event will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is expected to draw over 200 vendors selling goods that range from gently used to brand new. Berglund Center Marketing Director Jennifer Hayward said this is the seventh year of the Monster Flea Market, which is hosted twice a year in the fall and spring. Admission and parking are free. (WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

• Boo Bash 2022 — Awful Arthur's / K-92 Halloween Party (6 p.m.)
• Chris Cagle at Dr Pepper Park (6 p.m.)
• Ryan Perry Live at Sinkland Farms (7 p.m.)
• Todd Sheaffer (of Railroad Earth) & Chris Thompson Live at The Spot on Kirk (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Help us decide who wins our pumpkin carving contest! Our staff members made some spoooooky nature-y themed pumpkins for y'all to enjoy — and whoever wins the public vote gets a prize!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Public Schools: "Mac and cheese anyone? Meet Chip Donahue, second grade teacher at Glen Cove Elementary School. Mr. Donahue and his students have collected more than 1,400 boxes of mac and cheese to donate next month to Feeding Southwest Virginia!" (Roanoke County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "At this morning’s lineup, we awarded Officer S. Mahoney and Officer C. Madera Letters of Commendation for their work arresting a suspect involved in several car larcenies." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "We would like to thank Deputy Todd Murray for his 27 years of committed service. We appreciate your dedication, and you will be missed." (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Sedalia Center: "Buzzy Coleman Chili Cook Off Saturday Oct. 29. Prizes for Judges Award, the Bunky Perrow People's Choice Award, AND Best Presentation!!" (Sedalia Center via Facebook)

Alrighty, now you're up to date on what's happening around the Star City. See you all tomorrow 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com