🌱 Roanoke Regional Writers Conference + Non-Fatal Shooting In SE

Hello, neighbors! Here's a fresh copy of the Roanoke Daily — The Hump Day Edition — full of all the local news you need to know, including updates on:

• City and county industrial parks get grants
• Two organizations partner for MLK 'Day of Service'
• House fire displaces resident and pet

Let's go!

But first, today's weather:

Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 61 Low: 46.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke City Police were called to the scene of a shooting on the 700 block of Montrose Avenue SE shortly before 6:30 p.m. this past Sunday. An officer located a man lying on the sidewalk who had been shot and he was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for the treatment of a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. No suspects were located at the scene and no arrests have been made. Police say the case remains an ongoing investigation and ask anyone with any information to please come forward. You call 540-344-8500 or text the department at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it is properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous. (WSLS, WFIR)
2. Roanoke County and Roanoke City have each announced they have a site that will benefit from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program. The VBRSP is a state grant program "to promote development and characterization of sites to enhance the Commonwealth’s infrastructure and promote its competitive business environment," according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership website. The application process began last summer and included site visits by state officials. The city's Roanoke Centre For Industry and Technology on Blue Hills Drive and the county's Wood Haven Technology Park at the junction of Interstates 81 and 581 both made the cut. The two sites will receive a combined total of nearly $4 million dollars. (WFIR)
3. Two Roanoke area organizations partnered up on Monday for Martin Luther King Day to bring COVID-19 vaccine information to the community. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the United Way of the Roanoke Valley canvased nearly a thousand homes in the northwest and southeast neighborhoods of Roanoke City. "COVID is still alive and well. So, we want to make sure people are aware of the best ways to protect themselves and their loved ones. These quadrants of the city remain to have the lowest vaccination rates," said Kianna Price Marshall with the United Way and also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The project was done in honor of Martin Luther King Day, which organizers said is a day of service, not a day off. (WSLS)
4. The Roanoke Regional Writers Conference is being held this weekend and organizers are hoping to inspire writers in Roanoke and in Southwest Virginia in general to write more in the new year or tackle that long gestating book idea they have. Liz Long, one of the organizers of the conference, said "I think this is a wonderful conference for any writer at any skill level. So, whether you're just starting out — it's your New Year's resolution to try writing down a few words — or if you're a skilled person whose been around the block for decades and you're looking to learn something new about your craft... it's really a great array of topics." The event will begin Friday night at 7 p.m. at Hollins University and the cost of the conference is $70 ($25 for students and faculty), including brunch in the dining hall on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased here. (WDBJ)
5. Roanoke Fire EMS responded to a call on the 2o0 block of Mountain Avenue SW on Monday afternoon around 4 p.m. and found flames in a kitchen. Firefighters quickly put the flames out and no injuries were reported, though the resident of the home and their pet were displaced as a result of the damages. Investigators deemed the fire to have been the result of an unattended stove while cooking and estimated the damages to be about $10,000. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art (5:15 p.m.)
• Beginner Bike Maintenance at Roanoke Mountain Adventures (6 p.m.)
• Brew-HA-HA Open Mic Night at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday's Themed Trivia at Twisted Track Brewpub (7 p.m.)
• Rossdafareye at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Just hanging out! We have a few young late Southern Flying Squirrel babies including this one, who decided a swinging log was a great place to chill." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "On Saturday, Superintendent White was honored with the Perneller Chubb-Wilson Award by the Roanoke Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She was recognized for her Equity in Action vision & plan to double Career & Technical Education in RCPS." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "Winter mountain biking can be super fun, but please make sure to take care of our trails so others can enjoy them as well. Don't be this muddy biker!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We often get questions about how young children can get involved at the Roanoke Valley SPCA. This is a great opportunity for our youngest animal lovers to build their skills, foster compassion, and even learn patience! One of our favorite kid-friendly activities is our Paws to Read program for kids (and cats). Paws to Read sessions are available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon for families with kids of all ages." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges: "Thank you Up Homes for featuring Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges in your article! We appreciate all the nice things you said about our team! 🤘" (Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges via Facebook)
• Roanoke Animal Hospital: "Levi was very patient as he waited for his 15-week puppy visit. 👏😍🐾 He is training to become one of the amazing Saint Francis Service Dogs and by the looks of it, is doing very well! We love caring for these pups and the incredible service they give to their eventual owners!" (Roanoke Animal Hospital via Facebook)

Alrighty. That's the news for today. Roanoke City Council votes on the largest ever apartment complex development in Roanoke tonight so hopefully we'll have news on that tomorrow. I'll see you then!

— 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