🌱 Sewer Gas Conversion Project + T-Rex Trail's Last Weekend

Hello and happy Wednesday! You've made it to the halfway mark ... or almost anyways. Let's take a look at some local news while you down the first few sips of joe.

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Now, today's weather:

A heavy thunderstorm in the p.m.

High: 88 Low: 72.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The waiting list for one of Roanoke's Section 8 housing programs, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, is set to open on August 15. The program provides rental assistance to low income individuals and families, but officials at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority say there are already 300 names on the list leftover from last time that will have to be seen to first before new signees. Individuals and families will be assigned to the list by lottery with those meeting certain criteria being given priority. "Somebody [who] is paying more than 40% in their income towards rent, they go all the way to the top. If you’re elderly and disabled, you go all the way to the top. And if you’re a victim of domestic violence you go all the way to the top," said David Bustamante, RRHA's executive director. Bustamante went on to say that he expects the waiting list to double in size and for the program to receive around 5,000 applications. "There is an extreme, intense need for affordable housing. So, hopefully, with the opening of the waitlist, we’ll be able to house more individuals within our community." (WDBJ)
2. Explore Park's popular new attraction, the T-Rex Trail, is set to end its operating season on August 14. The trail offers visitors the chance to take in the sights and sounds of 18 larger-than-life dinosaurs including a stegosaurus, velociraptor, triceratops and tyrannosaurus rex. It has hosted 15,000 people since opening over Memorial Day weekend. If you would like to take this last chance to see the exhibit Roanoke County Parks and Recreation is offering $5 off admission the final operating weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Roanoke Star)
3. Roanoke Gas Company is taking part in a renewable energy project designed to take biogas from a sewage treatment plant and convert it into natural gas to distribute to Roanoke area homes and businesses. The company said this could reduce carbon emissions by over 13,000 metric tons per year and is believed to be the first such project of its kind in the state. The company, along with its partner, Western Virginia Water Authority, is presently seeking the approval of state regulators and said it is estimated to cost Roanoke homeowners only an extra $0.04 per month on their gas bills. "We’re pretty proud of Roanoke Gas being the first in line to get an application in," said Paul Nester, president and CEO of the company. (Roanoke Times)
4. A nonprofit organization in southwest Roanoke has become a place of refuge and hope for adults with learning challenges and disabilities. Known as KP to those who are familiar with it, Katie’s Place is a community day program founded to teach social skills and daily lifestyle activities like cooking, cleaning, gardening and more. The organization was named after the daughter of Bonnie Whitlock, one of the original founders of the program, who struggled with such a disability, but has since passed away. Now a part of St. Vincent’s Home Services, Angie Leonard, SEO at SVH, said the program goes beyond helping people with disabilities feel like they can carry out ordinary life experiences. "Exploring the community and changing the ideals of the community so that there is more acceptance is important because now when they go to the store, they are greeted and known by name. They are people you get to know and come to love," she said. (WSLS)
5. A man reported to have been the victim of severe burns Sunday at Salem's duck pond, Lake Spring Park, is said by witnesses to have set himself on fire. People nearby tried to help the man and called emergency services who took him to the hospital for treatment where he was listed as being in critical condition. Kelseigh Meador, 30, of Salem, said she and her children were at the park when they saw a man sitting on a bench close to the West Main Street side of the pond. Meador said he complemented her children, they thanked him and noticed there were bottles beside him that looked like Power Aid or Gatorade. Just as she was getting in her car she looked back at him one more time and he yelled something then "went up in flames." No charges will be filed and there is no additional information at this time according to Mike Stevens, Salem's communications director. (Newsbreak, WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art (5:15 p.m.)
• Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates Meeting - Room 309 Noel C. Taylor Building (5:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke Old Time & Americana Jam at Golden Cactus Brewing (6 p.m.)
• Views and Brews by Roanoke Mountain Adventures (6 p.m.)
• Melissa Mesko at Crescent City Bourbon & BBQ (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke College: "Just one month into his tenure as our 12th president, Dr. Frank Shushok is already injecting a dose of energy and inspiration into our community. It is exciting to anticipate what we will all accomplish together under his magnetic leadership." (Roanoke College via Instagram)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Super cool behavior! 🤯 Have you ever seen a wild mockingbird do this? Nobody knows for sure why northern mockingbirds wing flash like this, but some researchers think they use this to scare bugs into moving so they can catch them." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Our first week of Clear the Shelters 2022 is officially in the books! Happy Tails to all of the pets who were adopted last week and congratulations to all of the adopters who opened their hearts to a new best friend!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "We'd like to give recognition to Chris, Wes and the team at East Coasters Bike Shop for all they've done over the years supporting outdoor sports in our area. We look forward to a continued great experience." (Roanoke Outside via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Mark your calendars! Back to School Extravaganza will be Saturday, August 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at William Fleming High School.🥳 Stop by for access to free school supplies, vaccinations and opportunities to meet school staff!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new 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