🌱 Salem's Top Middle School Principal + Young Roanoke Golfer Wins!

Hello, fellow Roanokers! It's Tuesday, your second Monday of the week. Let's get you all caught up on what's going on around this little slice of heaven we call home.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, showers around. High: 64 Low: 56. So, still cool and wet like yesterday.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. The votes are in for Virginia's top middle school principal and Salem principal James Garst of Andrew Lewis Middle School is the winner. Congratulations Mr. Garst! According to a recent press release, nominations are made by peers to the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals based on "outstanding leadership and exemplary performance." Finalists are then interviewed by a panel of education professionals who recommend their selection to the VASSP Board of Directors for approval. (Roanoke Times)
2. A Roanoke golfer, Alisa Davidova, is the first Roanoker to win the Scott Robertson Memorial in 26 Years! The 54-hole stroke play event is held in memory of Scott Robertson, a promising young Roanoke Country Club golfer, who died in 1982. Contestants are all under the age of eighteen and this year's match drew players from as far away as Argentina, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, South Korea, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. (The Roanoke Star)
3. A cool Roanoke business has been steadily, but quietly expanding for the last few years, but is remaining centered in the Star City. Blue Cow Ice Cream Company opened five years ago along Walnut Avenue near the Roanoke River Greenway. Its success led owners, Jason and Carolyn Kiser, to think about expansion. Since then Blue Cow has opened in Virginia Beach, Fredericksburg, and will open just outside Richmond next month. All the company's craft ice cream and unusual flavors are made in a building on Williamson Road that's big enough to handle future plans. (WFIR)
4. According to a recent survey of 155 gas stations in the Roanoke area gas prices in Roanoke are up 47.9 cents in a month with diesel prices averaging over $5.50 per gallon. That's nearly $1.50 higher than at this time last year and GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan says "With more Americans planning to hit the road for Memorial Day this year compared to last, prices will soon be over $1.50 per gallon higher than last year." (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Local Celtic duo Kinnfolk at 3rd Street Coffee House' s Tuesday night concert series to raise money for Feeding America Southwest Virginia. (8 p.m.)
• 2022 Economic & Workforce Summit at Virginia Western Community College’s Whitman Theatre. (8:30 a.m.)
• The Famous Tuesday Night Beer Ride at Twin Creeks Brewing Co. (5:45 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke is featuring "Another unusual bird at the Center, a Red-headed Woodpecker! A fiercely territorial bird that is rarely admitted because of their specific habitat requirements and sharp decline since the 1960s." (Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA would like you to meet Benji! "Benji finds himself in need of a new loving home since his guardian can no longer care for him. This sweet boy had a rough start to life, but thanks to his current guardian, he's really come into his own and has been enjoying life." (Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc. is hosting a giveaway! "✨ GIVEAWAY ALERT!! ✨ This week, Mill Mountain Theatre is giving away 10 tickets (5 sets of 2) to see Boy Bands Through the Ages! Today, they're giving away 2 pairs of tickets to the 5/27 show. To be entered, comment on their post." (Facebook)
• The City of Roanoke says "This is the final week of the 2022 Roanoke Pedestrian Safety Campaign. The quiz has been taken 1,043 times! 418 people have gotten 5/5 and are Safety Superheroes. It's not too late to take, or re-take, the quiz!" (Facebook)

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That's it! You're all caught up for today! I'll see you tomorrow morning right here!

— 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