🌱 Salem Building A Total Loss After Fire + Eureka Center Meeting

Good morning, 'noke friends! It's time for the Tuesday edition of the Roanoke Daily! Here's a newsletter full of what's happening in our community today, including...

• Grant helps Roanoke County fight fires
• Checking in with former delegate Greg Habeeb
• Cline happy to represent Salem after redistricting

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and milder.

High: 52 Low: 34.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Salem Fire-EMS responded to a call about a fire at a commercial building on the corner of 7th Street and South Broad Street shortly before 2:30 a.m. When crews arrived, they found one building completely engulfed in flames and another threatened. Crews were able to contain the fire to just the one building, which was totally destroyed by the blaze. No injuries were reported as the building appears to have been unoccupied for some time and crews were expected to be on scene well into the morning hours making sure the fire stayed out. Fire marshals will investigate the cause, but results are expected to take some time due to the amount of damage. (WDBJ)
2. Thanks to a grant Roanoke County Fire & Rescue is getting an upgrade to an important piece of equipment in their arsenal of fire fighting tools —the thermal imaging camera. The purchase was made possible by a $6,200 grant from the Jackie and S.L. Spangler Fund of the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, an organization that manages, administers, and makes grants from 300+ named endowments. The Spangler Fund in particular is set aside for grants that benefit the communities along the Route 221 corridor from Cotton Hill Road in Roanoke County all the way up Bent Mountain to the area of Check in Floyd County. The new thermal imaging camera will be located at the Back Creek Fire Station along Bent Mountain Road. Thermal imaging is used by firefighters to locate potential hot spots after a fire has been put out and in other cases including search and rescue operations. (WSET)
3. The first of several planned community meetings about the redevelopment of the Eureka Park Community Center will be held tonight from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Roanoke Academy for Arts & Sciences. Both Roanoke City Parks officials and architects for the project will be on hand to present ideas and options as well as to answer questions and field suggestions from the public. The city is investing $13 million into the project and city officials are hoping for a lot of citizen involvement. "We really want to hear from the community — what they’re looking for out of a recreation center in their neighborhood and what amenities they’d like. What sort of feel of the center they would like? So, hearing from the community and having their presence at this meeting is really really important," said Molly Hagan, the city's Parks and Recreation marketing coordinator. The current building is expected to remain open while plans are finalized. (WDBJ)
4. Salem now has a new representative in Congress after redistricting moved the boundaries of Virginia’s 9th Congressional District and placed the City of Salem firmly within the boundaries of the 6th District. That means the city will now be represented on the national level by Ben Cline instead of Morgan Griffith, a long time Salem resident. But Cline said in a recent interview he learned a lot about Salem on the campaign trail and from his conversations with Griffith whom he considers a good friend. "Morgan is a good friend and a great leader in Congress and a Salem native. He continues to serve the people of the 9th District from his residence in Salem. We’ll be a great team for Salem. I’ve joked that Salem will be one of the few communities with two congressmen representing it and looking out for it," Cline said. Cline's downtown Roanoke office serves Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem and he invited constituents to contact his offices should they run into any issues with the federal government. (Salem Times Register)

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Today in Roanoke:

• L’eroica (Roanoke’s Friendliest Group Road Ride) at Cardinal Bicycle’s Grandin Village Location (5:45 p.m.)
• Fleet Feet Pub Run & Walk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• Line Dance Night at Sidewinders Saloon (6 p.m.)
• “Annie” at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Meet Timmy! He is 6 months old and he's such a happy little boy! He's also active and very friendly, but he gets so excited that he sometimes jumps up to greet people. We're working with Timmy to redirect that excitement into more appropriate ways." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Solomon's Mission: "Thanks to all who came to 'Still' last night! We were encouraged and welcomed by Haley and we were inspired and challenged by Bonnie Lee to stay in the word of God . As She has overcome many life trials and shared how God's word her through and helped fight the mind battles, flesh and satan. To be prepared we need His word." (Solomon's Mission via Facebook)
• 3rd Street Coffeehouse: "Here’s what’s happening the last week of January at 3rd Street Coffeehouse! Please like and share to help us get the word out!" (3rd Street Coffeehouse via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government: "Reminder that there will be crews removing trees along Kermit Avenue and Vale Avenue on Monday, Jan. 23 and Tuesday, Jan. 24. Flaggers will be on site directing traffic, and you may experience delays in your commute. We appreciate your patience!" (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Straight Street Roanoke Valley: "Thank you First Christian Church for the delicious meal last night. Blessed with amazing volunteers. Thankful for the students that attend as more attend as their friends invite them." (Straight Street Roanoke Valley via Facebook)

Calling the last piece news is a real stretch, but it's kind of a slow news day. Hopefully you found them informative and interesting anyways. So, now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! I'll see you tomorrow morning for The Hump Day edition!

— 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