🌱 Roanoke Public Housing Crisis + Botetourt County Rabies Warning

Happy Fourth of July, Roanoke! Here's a quick look at everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and humid.

High: 87 Low: 71.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. As rental and housing prices continue to soar, Roanoke's more than 1,200 public housing units are completely full and applications for the Section 8 waiting list have closed. "Our occupancy rates stay pretty high. Our waitlist remains very full, because there is a great need for affordable housing in this area. You know the Roanoke area is experiencing an affordable housing crisis, as the whole country is," said Evangeline Richie, the vice president of Roanoke Housing Operations. She said she expects the waiting list to open again soon, but couldn't give an exact date. (WDBJ)
2. Roanoke health officials have issued a warning for Botetourt County residents after a fox caught in the Fincastle area by animal control officers tested positive for rabies. “Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is preventable in animals through vaccinations, but is fatal to both animals and humans if left untreated. Exposure to rabies is considered any time a bite, scratch or other circumstances where saliva or central nervous system tissue from a potentially rabid animal enters an open, fresh wound or comes in contact with a mucous membrane by entering the eye, mouth, or nose,” according to a statement from the Virginia Department of Health. (WFXR)
3. Roanoke area residents are stepping up to help the people displaced by the building fires in Vinton Friday night. A donation bin has been placed at the Charles R. Hill Community Center to collect clothes, toiletries, food and water and has been filling up so fast that it has had to be emptied every few hours. "Some of these folks left with just the clothes on their backs. They didn’t have time to grab anything. They need everything. They lost everything in this fire," Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Angie Chewning said. For a list of what's needed and to keep up to date on the location of the donation bin click the link. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• American National Bank’s Four on the 4th at the Vinton War Memorial (8 a.m.)
• Independence Day Celebration at Big Lick Brewing Company (Noon)
• 68th Annual Independence Day Parade in Downtown Buchanan (5 p.m.)
• Vinton 4th of July Celebration at the Vinton War Memorial (7 p.m.)
• Fireworks display in the Town of Buchanan (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Working out is always more fun with a friend! These two Virginia Opossums were the size of thumbs when they were first admitted to the Center — look at them now!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Congratulations to our own Dr. Alan Seibert for his appointment to the Virginia Board of Education by Governor Youngkin earlier this week. Dr. Seibert serves as the Constituent Services and Government Relations Officer for Roanoke City." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley Television: "Our thoughts are with the residents and business owners affected by this morning's devastating fire in the Town of Vinton, Virginia Government. This drone footage provides an up-close look at the damage." (Roanoke Valley Television via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Tater Tot and Small Fry have been in foster care, but they've had some health issues and were brought back into our shelter for a medical checkup. They had started having some bloody nasal discharge and just weren't feeling well. Now they're on medication and being monitored." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: "Mark your calendars! Our next Music By the Tracks will be held on Saturday, July 23! There will be music by Travis Reigh and Caribbica Jack Food Truck!" (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)

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Events:

• Purcellville Wine and Food Festival (July 16)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next 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