🌱 Uptick In Flu Cases In Local Schools + New Catalog System At RVL

Hey, everybody! I hope your weekend is off to a good start. Do you have any spooky plans for Halloween? In this edition of the Roanoke Daily I'll cover stories including...

• Blue Ridge Nightmare's season finale.
• Goodwill to take part in a new community initiative.
• An arrest in Salem larceny string.

Ready to motor?

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sun.

High: 63 Low: 40.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Blue Ridge Nightmares, a haunted house with details and concepts inspired by the history of the Star City, is gearing up for their season finale this weekend. This year's attraction has been created in part by Anthony Giordano, a New York and Hollywood creative director, who has used a 60,000-square-foot warehouse to recreate several historic downtown businesses for the experience. Also this year, a Not So Scary Matinee version of the event is being held for those with younger children or who are faint of heart. Proceeds benefit Roanoke's Center in the Square. (WDBJ)
2. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys has announced that they will be a part of a new initiative to help revitalize the Star City's northwest neighborhoods. The initiative has been years in the making according to Mary Ann Gilmore, the organization's chief strategy officer, and began in 2017. "This is something that has been needed and pursued for years. With the city's support the [initiative] is going to provide city residents in the northwest community with food access, banking and financial counseling, wellness services, and education and workforce opportunities," she said. More details will be announced at an unveiling to be held at the Goodwill's Melrose Avenue campus on Nov. 1. (WFIR)
3. Botetourt County and other area school systems are seeing a massive increase in flu cases with as much as a quarter of the student body at Lord Botetourt High School out sick. Andrew Lewis Middle School in Salem has also been hit hard and custodians are said to be maintaining their COVID-19 levels of cleaning as a result. Michael Moser, a communications specialist for Botetourt County Public Schools, said, "Keep your student home if they’re sick. And wait until they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. A lot of assignments and textbook readings can all be distributed digitally now. And so even if a student is at home sick, but maybe they’re feeling well enough to keep up with their studies, that’s possible." (WSLS)
4. The Salem Police Department has made an arrest in the case of a string of larcenies that have plagued the northern district of the city in recent weeks. Tyrek Dyquan Caldwell, 24, of Roanoke, was arrested on charges of three counts of Interfering with the Property Rights of Another, four counts of Property Damage, three counts of Petit Larceny, and four counts of Breaking and Entering. He allegedly was found after detectives obtained descriptions of the thief and the vehicle used from witnesses and is being held at the Western Virginia Regional Jail. (WDBJ)
5. Roanoke Valley Libraries, which consists of libraries in Botetourt County, City of Roanoke, City of Salem, and County of Roanoke, is all set to implement OCLC Wise, a brand-new catalog and community engagement system. The new system will be launched at the beginning of November and there will be a transition period between Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 where patrons will still be able to check out books, but other library transactions will be limited. RVL officials have said there will be no due dates imposed during the transition period so patrons can simply keep any materials that are due back during the period if they wish to wait until normal service resumes. (WSET)

Today in Roanoke:

• Walk to End Alzheimer's at Longwood Park in Salem (8 a.m.)
• Spooky Sprint 5K at Wasena Park (9 a.m.)
• Intro to Furniture Painting Class at Black Dog Salvage (9:30 a.m.)
• Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival weekends (10 a.m.)
• Fork-a-ween at Fork in the Market (5 p.m.)
• Savor the Sound at Virginia Mountain Vineyards (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Botetourt County Sheriff's Office: "Thank you Fincastle Preschool! Your costumes and laughter brightened our day! Thank you for the trick or treat visit. Looking forward to your next visit." (Botetourt County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Please help us congratulate Officer K. Wilkerson, who was recognized by MADD Virginia for his outstanding work helping to reduce impaired driving in the City of Roanoke. He won the 2022 MADD Award for having 48 DUI/DUID arrests in 2021." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Public Schools: "Happy Halloween! Preschool students at our elementary schools had an opportunity to get an early start on their trick-or-treating this morning! Several hundred students descended on the RCPS Central Office dressed in their Halloween costumes." (Roanoke County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Yesterday, Superintendent White presented Shanell Herbert, a Special Education teacher at Patrick Henry High School, with a challenge coin to recognize her inclusivity and dedication to providing her students with the support they need." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• The Agape Center Vinton-Roanoke: "The Lord provided us with an absolutely splendid day for the 1st Annual AGAPE OPEN and we're excited to announce that it was a huge success! Thanks to our amazing players and sponsors and to our hosts, Ashley Plantation Country Club, we raised a JAW DROPPING $15,800!" (The Agape Center Vinton-Roanoke via Facebook)

There you have it. You're all caught up for today. I'll 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. 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