🌱 Star City Motor Madness + Women's March on Roanoke

Hello all! It's me, Ian, host of the Roanoke Daily. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and humid.

High: 87 Low: 71.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The Poff Building in downtown Roanoke was the site of a protest Friday afternoon as people gathered for the Women's March on Roanoke to make their feelings known about the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Dozens gathered on the steps and sidewalks of the building with signs, participated in chants and waved to passing cars that honked their agreement. "Silence is not golden. We need to be loud and we need to be heard,"attendee Julie Wagner said. (WSET)
2. The 21st Annual Star City Motor Madness got its engines started Friday night with Cruise Night on Williamson Road. Spectators lined up in lawn chairs along the sidewalks and visited vendors and food trucks set up in nearby parking lots. The event continued Saturday with a car show in which hundreds of cars from around the region and neighboring states were expected to attend. The annual event benefits the Virginia Museum of Transportation and other area nonprofits. "It just grows and it's become a signature car show event for this part of Virginia,” said Steve Davis, a co-organizer. (WSLS)
3. Troubles continue for Roanoke City Council candidate Peter Volosin, one of the winners of Tuesday's Democratic primary. Volosin replied "no" to moderator Ian Price at a forum when candidates were asked whether or not they had ever been charged or convicted of a criminal offence. Records show Volosin was in fact charged in 2018 with illegally confining an animal in an enclosed, unattended vehicle in Salem. When asked about the incident Volosin said, "I don’t have any more comment. This is ridiculous. Thank you.” (Roanoke Times)
4. The dreaded S curve on Route 460 just before Montvale has been under construction for realignment for awhile now and officials say the job is expected to be completed in July. All lanes of traffic are presently open and the work that remains, according to Virginia Department of Transportation spokesperson, Jason Bond, is on things like drainage. "This project has been discussed for many years and it’s very rewarding to bring it to fruition, but the safety improvement will certainly be a benefit for everyone who uses this stretch of Route 460," Bond said. (WDBJ)
5. Two Franklin County residents have recently been awarded with quilts of valor for their service to the United States. Herbert Jones and Michael "Todd" Cassell were presented with the quilts by Roanoke Quilts of Valor Stitchers Saturday at Fork Mountain Quilting. Both men are combat veterans. Jones served in the Army during the Korean War and Cassell retired from the Navy after serving in Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Franklin News Post)

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Today in Roanoke:

• 14th Annual Lavender Festival at Beliveau Farm Winery (Noon)
• Sunday Tea Dance– Pride 2022 at Twisted Track Brewpub (3 p.m.)
• Palmyra Duo at Big Lick Brewing Company (4 p.m.)
• Pop-Up Mill Mountain Night Hike at the Mill Mountain Star Trail trailhead (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Hi Facebook Friends! My name is Domino, and I came to the Roanoke Valley SPCA with my mom Coco and six siblings a few weeks ago. Some of us weren't feeling well - including my mom and that really worried me. But luckily the veterinary staff at the shelter gave us all a check up and started those of us who were sick on some medications." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Congratulations to the School Board members who were sworn in to new terms during Wednesday's School Board Investiture Ceremony!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "On Wednesday, for Employee Appreciation Day, Deb's Lemonade came by the admin office at Station 1 and handed out lemonade to our members! Thank you to all of our staff for everything you do! We appreciate you! Also, thank you to Deb's Lemonade!" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)

• City of Roanoke Government: "The City of Roanoke and Roanoke Public Libraries have been named a finalist for the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Pacesetter Award! All finalists emphasized the seven “Must Do Priorities” for early school success!" (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Member One City Market Saturdays are each Saturday now through Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Historic Roanoke City Market! Our farmer's market has fresh produce, locally grown plants and art vendors. Stop by and see us!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Families and staff, you should have just received a robocall from Superintendent White with information about how to access an update regarding the recommendations and options for school safety." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next 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