🌱 RSPCA Ambassador to Retire + Dramatic Increase in Violent Crimes

Good morning, everyone! Ian here with a quick look at what's happening around town.

First, today's weather:

Heavy thunderstorms.

High: 87 Low: 75.

📢 I’m looking for business owners and marketers in Roanoke who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Roanoke Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke City Council was shocked to hear reports of the increase in violent crime in the city at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Chief among the skyrocketing numbers listed in the 2021 Public Safety Report was a 113% increase in rapes. But other area agencies weren't nearly as surprised by the news. "We’ve seen a huge increase since COVID in the amount of domestic abuse and intimate partner abuse and sexual abuse and just people seeking services in general. So I’m not surprised at all. An average day used to be two to three calls on the hotline. We are averaging eight to 12 calls a day," said Total Action Against Poverty Director of Housing and Human Services Stacy Sheppard. (WSLS)
2. Roanoke City residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities will soon have more help in finding suitable, affordable housing options. City Council approved a $50,000 grant Tuesday night that will go towards hiring a consulting firm to help city leaders identify ways to increase the availability of housing to those with IDDs. "One of the things the consultants will do is they will look at how this type of housing would connect with other amenities in the community as well. So connect with our bus system, connect with our parks and greenways to make sure that people with IDD have access to those types of amenities," said Wayne Leftwich, assistant to the city manager. (WDBJ)
3. New Virginia Board of Education appointee Alan Seibert recently said that he plans to use his 30 years of experience with Salem and Roanoke City Schools to identify areas where how schools assess and are held accountable for student achievement. "The SOL system is now well over 20 years old and the tests really haven’t changed that much in that time. We absolutely still need assessments and we need good data from them and we need good processes to use that data. But it’s probably time to kind of modernize the system," he said in a recent interview. (Roanoke Times)
4. Arnold R. Burton Center for Arts & Technology welding students recently unveiled their newest creation: prescription drug take back boxes for the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office. The boxes were created to give citizens a way to safely dispose of unwanted medications and to keep them from falling into wrong hands. "Not with only Roanoke City, but the communities at large. Vinton, Salem, Roanoke County, if you have them and want to get rid of them, we now have a place where you can bring unwanted drugs," said Roanoke City Sheriff, Antonio Hash. (WDBJ)
5. Polly, the Roanoke Valley SPCA's much loved animal ambassador, has announced her retirement after spending 10 years in service to the community. As the RSPCA's Animal Ambassador, Polly's job was to visit area schools to teach students about the importance of proper care and handling of animals and to deliver affection to residents of nursing facilities. "Polly’s retirement is very bittersweet. She absolutely loves meeting new friends, but she is at an age where she’s slowing down. Polly has chronic arthritis in her knees and it is getting harder for her to travel. We know that there are so many friends who will miss her, but we also know that she will be able to spend her golden years relaxing, eating treats and being very well-loved," said Polly's guardian Denise Hayes, RSPCA's CEO.(WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• RIDE Solutions Poker Ride at Cardinal Bicycle- Grandin (5:30 p.m.)
• Live music: Jared Stout Trio at Big Lick Brewing Company (5:30 p.m.)
• Party in the Park featuring The Kings in Elmwood Park (5:30 p.m.)
• Crank Sisters Social Ride with Cardinal Bicycle. (6 p.m.)
• Brian Regan Live at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "This beaver is one of two who was admitted to the center last year after flooding destroyed her family’s dam and she was washed miles and miles from home." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Congratulations and Happy Tails to all of the pets who were adopted last week! Thank you to all of the adopters who opened their hearts to a new best friend! If you're ready to bring home a pet of your own, now is a great time!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke College: "President Shushok shared a message with the Roanoke Valley community that ran in the Roanoke Times this weekend. Check out our stories for the link. (Roanoke College - Salem, VA via Instagram)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Last week, Roanoke Fire-EMS hosted an elevator class taught by industry experts from CT, NY, and PA. Our members were able to learn about the inner workings of elevators and managing emergencies related to them." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Are you looking for a new place to eat for Taco Tuesday? Head down to The Hatch! $5 each or get three tacos and a side for $12." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke: "Mark your calendars! Free ice cream at Thrift 460 on Saturday!" (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

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

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you around.

— 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