🌱 Tuskegee Airmen Honored With New Marker + Salem House Fire

And it's Monday once again ... I promise it's not my fault this time. This time it just kind of happened. I'll try harder next week. :)

In this edition you'll read about:

• A Salem fire that's left four people displaced...
• A local farm in a small space...
• And a new historical marker in Botetourt...

Let's get on with it!

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the morning.

High: 75 Low: 49.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Salem Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a fire that occured overnight Sunday in a residence at the corner of 9th Street and Delaware Avenue. Firefighters arrived within six minutes of the call going out to find heavy flames coming from the rear of the residence and upon entering found that the fire had spread into the structure. Four people were in the house, but all were able to escape uninjured. Both Salem and Roanoke County units responded and had the blaze under control within about thirty minutes. A cause and estimate of the damages has not yet been determined. (WSLS, WDBJ, Google Maps)
2. The word farm brings to mind lots and lots of land, but the relatively recent phenomena of urban farming and community gardens is changing that vision one acre at a time. A perfect example is Lick Run CDC, which stands for Community Development Corporation. The Lick Run farm is currently based on three acres off of 10th Street in Roanoke, but partner Cam Terry said, "I started a small farming business on a couple of backyards, less than an eighth of an acre, when I first started. So, my business from when I first started has been about showing people how productive small spaces can be." At its current location the farm is positioned between two rows of houses on a long rectangular lot and there are plans to grow up since they can't grow only so far out by adding fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, and mushrooms in places not suitable for growing the usual annual produce. (WFXR, Lick Run website, Google Maps)
3. A brand new marker along Route 220 near Narrow Passage Road in Botetourt County was unveiled last week in honor of Lt. Col. Norvel LaFallette Ray Lee, one of the Tuskegee Airmen and a native son of Eagle Rock. Members of Botetourt County's administration as well as Lee's family and friends were on hand during the unveiling and Lee's granddaughter, Tiffany Ayler said, "Words can’t express how much this moment means to our family. We want to thank you all so much. This is a precious moment for us to hear all the accolades and things we never knew growing up. To us, he was just ‘Grandpa.'" The placing of the marker was a partnership between Botetourt County, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and was a process begun by the Rev. Nelson Harris and local researchers and authors Judy Barnett and Ken Conklin, the later of which wrote Lee's biography "Norvell." (Fincastle Herald)

Today in Roanoke:

• Carilion Children's "Fore The Kids" Golf Classic at The Water's Edge Country Club (11 a.m.)
• Brandon Oaks 30th Golf Tournament at Roanoke Country Club (12 p.m.)
• Lecture: All About Appalachian Music at Woodland Hills Retirement Community (2 p.m.)
• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Writing Out Loud at Roanoke Diversity Center (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Meet Braxton, a spunky 7-month-old seeking a play partner! He's hoping someone out there will love playing with toys as much as he does! But Braxton also knows how to sit pretty for treats. He's a smart boy with lots of love to give!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "Get a sneak peek behind the scenes of our SECRET GARDEN photo shoot! ✨" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning!

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com