🌱 Shoppers Can Get New'd In Salem + New City Council Members Seated

Hello everyone! Here's the Thursday edition of the Roanoke Daily for your reading pleasure. Today we have these stories and more:

• COVID-19 cases rise
• The airport has a new lawyer
• More on possible city curfew

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Clouds and sunshine.

High: 61 Low: 39.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Luke Priddy and Peter Volosin officially took their seats on Roanoke City Council Tuesday after being elected in November. They joined returning council members Joe Cobb and Vivian Sanchez-Jones as well as Patricia White-Boyd, Stephanie Moon Reynolds, and Mayor Sherman Lea at a meeting and said they were excited to get to work. "It’s really exciting. It’s like the first day of school. I’m really excited to get to work for the people of Roanoke," Volosin said before the meeting. Priddy echoed his sentiments in an interview later on. "I’m excited to see what appointments I’ll be getting on the committees and start getting to work," he said. Both men agreed the city faces big challenges but were optimistic. This is the first time that three openly gay men — Cobb, Priddy and Volosin — have served on city council. (WDBJ)
2. Roanoke City and Alleghany health districts have said flu cases have dropped while COVID-19 cases have risen, but caution that they monitor Influenza Like Activity rather than actual flu cases because of a lack of local data. As of Tuesday, there were almost 700 new cases, and a total of 48 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the district. District director Dr. Cynthia Morrow said, "All of us have had major holiday gatherings over the last few weeks, whether it was Thanksgiving or Christmas or New Year's. And so, I think most of us in public health are expecting COVID numbers to increase significantly in January, they have in the last two years. And I think that we should all brace ourselves for that." Morrow continues to encourage people to get vaccinated and boosted. (WSET, WDBJ)
3. The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport Commission has a new lawyer after hiring former Martinsville Attorney General and Assistant City Manager Eric Monday. "We are thrilled to be bringing his vast experience, including as general counsel for the Blue Ridge Regional Airport, into our team. Our contract with Glenn Feldmann Darby & Goodlatte for Sam Darby’s services as general counsel is expiring mid-2023, so this timing will ensure time for a smooth transition," said Mike Stewart, executive director of the Commission via an email. Monday will start his new job around Feb. 1 and will mark the return of the general counsel position back to an in-house function rather than being contracted out. (Martinsville Bulletin)
4. Mayor Sherman Lea said recently that he wants to see the city take a much more proactive approach to combating gun violence including the beginning of a curfew for young people. Lea said, "I’m seeing kids that are walking out of the house and getting shot… getting shot. I want us to move on it, but I want us to talk more about it. I don’t want to get bogged down in the bureaucracy about it. We need something. Let’s be proactive, not wait until something happens." But now other city council members have had a chance to weigh in on the idea and said they're not opposed to it but want to get the community's input before putting together an actual proposal or implementing anything. The talks come as Roanoke wraps up 2022 with the third highest murder rate in its history. (WSLS)
5. The owner and proprietor of The Newfangled Bride and The Flower Shoppe — a bridal consignment store and a florist, both on Main Street in Salem — has opened a brand-new business called New'd across the street from her current shops. Alyce Carlin said the new store sells second hand clothing and describes her merchandise as “eclectic, fun and trendy,” and says she focuses on brands “you can’t really find in the area" such as Anthropologie, Madewell, and Lululemon. The shop is located at 827 West Main St. in downtown Salem and you can also shop online at their website. (Roanoker)

Today in Roanoke:

• Architectural Review Board meeting at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (3 p.m.)
• Free Haircuts by Feel Good Nation Barbershop at the Main Library (6 p.m.)
• R&B Karaoke at 2 Chill Restaurant (7 p.m.)
• Chasing Fall at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke County Public Schools: "Congratulations to William Byrd High School science teacher Melissa Carr — one of the 2023 40 under 40 from The Roanoker Magazine!" (Roanoke County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Tufted Titmouse release! Titmice are one of the few species of bird that has a crest in Virginia. The other two crested songbirds are the Blue Jay and Northern Cardinal — but Tufted Titmice are by far the smallest of the birds!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Roanoke's tastiest week returns Jan. 20-29! 🍔🍗🌮 Restaurant Week is your chance to experience Downtown’s extensive mix of lunch and dinner options. Try out many different restaurants that fit your budget." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• The Grandin Theatre: "Winner Wednesday! We're counting down the days to Palmyra live at the Grandin Theatre! Like, share, and comment on this post to qualify for a pair of tickets to see this award-winning act on Wednesday, Jan. 25!" (The Grandin Theatre via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We will have a delayed opening on Thursday, Jan. 5. We will be opening at 2 p.m. that day so our staff can have a little bit of fun — more on that later! But don't worry, Nala has things covered at the shelter. Thank you so much!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning (Friday!) for another update.

— 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