🌱 Update On Weekend Shooting + Roanoke's Own 'Slumlord Millionaire'

Hello, fellow Roanokers! It's time for the Hump Day edition of the Roanoke Daily. I hope you're all having a good week so far. Today I'll cover these stories and more:

• A postal employee accused of stealing packages.
• A meeting of the Roanoke Collaboration Project.
• A Roanoke area activist is a finalist in a nationwide award.

Ready to motor?

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and pleasant.

High: 70 Low: 59.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Have you missed a package or two from the U.S. Postal Service (who hasn't, right)? Well, if what you were expecting was medications from the Veterans Administration it turns out someone has allegedly been playing Grinch at Roanoke's mail processing center. At a federal court hearing last Friday postal employee Kevin Ayers admitted to stealing three packages he believed contained hydrocodone pills. According to a court summary of the evidence offered in the case, Ayers "specifically stole these packages after feeling and examining them because he believed they contained hydrocodone pills." Ayers entered a plea agreement that will allow him to avoid the charges if he completes a treatment program for veterans. (Roanoke Times)
2. Roanoke City police have released more information on the shooting death of a boy in the 2300 block of Hoover Avenue over the weekend. After a preliminary investigation, detectives have reported that the shooting appears to be accidental in nature and that everyone involved is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. In the original story we covered, the shooting of a boy who was transported to the hospital before police arrived, but later died of his injuries. No arrests have been made. (WDBJ)
3. The Roanoke Collaboration Project describes itself as a group of civic minded volunteers who believe that civil dialogue and collaboration across diverse stakeholders is the key to making more resilient communities in the years ahead, according to the group's website. The group has been a few years in the making and recently held its first meet-and-greet with several of Roanoke's more influential leaders in attendance. "We’ve got a lot of challenges, and I think these complex problems are going to continue coming our way for probably the foreseeable future. So at a time like this, we have to be able to collaborate. You can’t collaborate if you don’t have civil discourse. It’s a non-starter," said attendee Jay Foster, founder and CEO of Flex Metrics software company based in Roanoke. (WFIR, Roanoke Times, RCP website)
4. Roanoke's own self-styled "Slumlord Millionaire" Spanky Macher has filed a federal lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix alleging they stole his idea for use in their show "Dirty Money." Macher wrote and published a book in 2016 titled "Slumlord Millionaire" in which he details his 40-year journey through small business and real estate and alleges that Netflix stole the idea from him when they endowed former White House advisor and real estate developer Jared Kushner with the title in an episode of "Dirty Money." Macher admits to not being a very likeable person and said, "I’m annoying, and I know that is not a strength. But I sat here and said ‘dammit, I think I’m right.' I really believe I’m in a David and Goliath situation, and I’m fighting not only for myself but for all the little people who think they’re right." (Roanoke Times)
5. Freeda Cathcart, a Roanoke area environmental activist and former Democratic candidate in some local elections, is a finalist in the Cox Conserves Heroes awards, a program designed to highlight nonprofits and volunteers dedicated to having a positive environmental impact. Cathcart is among nine total finalists but is one of only three in the category of Adult Heroes. If she were to bring home the first place prize, the sum of $30,000 would be donated to her chosen nonprofit, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. "I hope that this competition helps elevate the profile of the districts and the good works the really good people are doing to make a difference in our communities," she said in a recent interview. (WFIR)

Today in Roanoke:

• “History is Served” featuring Sumpter Priddy III at the Hotel Roanoke (5:30 p.m.)
• Darsombra / L.A. Dies / Dover & The Elevators at The Spot on Kirk (7:30 p.m.)
• Punch Brothers at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (7:30 p.m.)
• Kevin Daniel at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Botetourt County Sheriff's Office: "Fincastle! 'I ain't nothin but a hound dog!' It was a beautiful day out so I thought I would stroll over to the Botetourt Country Club. I was going to visit Molly at the grill and get one of her awesome club sandwiches then I got busted by animal control." Do you know this dog? (Botetourt County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Public Schools: "A reminder that schools will be closed on Friday, Oct. 14 for a teacher workday. Enjoy the long weekend!" (Roanoke County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Cookie is as sweet as her name implies, but she's also a little bit of a model! Anytime our photographer tried to get photos of her, she would sit so pretty! We guess she wants to look her best so that she can find her home soon!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• Roanoke County Police Department: "Recruits are getting ready to start week 8 of the academy! Interested in being in the next recruit class? The time is now if you would like to be a part of the January class!" (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Doesn't Suck, LLC: "Did you know that On the Rise Bakery Grandin is open on Mondays now? We just found out on accident, and we may have bought everything. OK. Maybe not but go check them out and tell them we said hi." (Roanoke Doesn't Suck, LLC via Facebook)
• Botetourt County: "We are so proud of our Botetourt County Parks & Recreation Director Mandy Adkins! #bocobrag" (Botetourt County via Facebook)
• Solomon's Mission: "Three weeks away — a little walk down memory lane, Jesus Fest Monday 31st 6-8 one way in 25 at a time then ya on your own! Gospel, chicken nuggets, games and cake walk, Scooby Doo style!" (Solomon's Mission via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop for the day! 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. 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