🌱 Victims Of Gun Violence Vigil + Back Creek Area Brush Fire

Hello fellow folks of the 'noke! Here's a fresh edition of the Roanoke Daily right off my keyboard. Let's get this Tuesday started off with a quick dive into what's happening around town, including updates on:

• Homestead Creamery in need
• Vinton Historical Museum invitation
• VWCC enrollment boost

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny.

High: 59 Low: 34.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. The 2022 victims of gun violence — self-inflicted and otherwise — were remembered Sunday afternoon at a vigil hosted by Roanoke City's Gun Violence Prevention Commission. The 'Roanoke Remembers' event was held at Patrick Henry High School and the victims were represented by candles on the stage of the auditorium. "[This event] is to acknowledge that this is a Roanoke problem, not a neighborhood problem. The commission wants very much to re-frame the narrative, because we all live in Roanoke," said the Rev. Tim Harvey, a member of the group. Others in attendance included Rita Joyce, founder of Families Experiencing Deliverance Using Prayer (FEDUP.) (Roanoke Times)
2. Roanoke County Fire EMS was called to the scene of a brush fire in the Back Creek area of the county on Sunday morning shortly after 5:30 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters reported a lot of smoke, three to four acres on fire, and five structures threatened. Area residents were asked to temporarily evacuate but have since been allowed to return to their homes. No injuries were reported, and no homes damaged. Fire Marshals have determined the cause of the blaze was a tree that had fallen onto some power lines. (WSLS)
3. Homestead Creamery wants you! Well, not you, but your quart bottles if you have any. The Burnt Chimney-based creamery is asking for any customers who have not yet returned their quart bottles to do so as they are experiencing a shortage and need bottles to keep up with demand during eggnog and custard season. "We had to put out a little PSA to everybody to return their bottles because we are in desperate, desperate need of them because we rely on the circular system. We need people to send them back before we can send out the bottles with milk in them. So, please, please, return your bottles if you have them,” said Homestead Creamery Community Manager Amy Rice. (WDBJ)
4. The Vinton Historical Society is inviting everyone to visit the Vinton History Museum's Holiday Open House. The indoor collection will be decorated for Christmas throughout and will feature a small 'Pop-up Shop' with selected collectibles for sale including souvenirs such as Vinton Throws, memory and honor bricks, ornaments, note cards, and T-shirts. The open house will be held Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be available and door prizes will take place. (Roanoke Star)
5. Enrollment at Virginia Western Community College has gotten a boost thanks to the efforts of Frank Tyree, the Community College Acceptance Program (CCAP) success coach who personally oversees the students who enter the program. The program has been growing steadily since its inception and Amanda Mansfield, the director of the foundation overseeing the CCAP program, believes it's due in large part to Tyree. "He’s made a huge impact already. We’ve had this program for a while, but Frank has really turned it around," she said. Tyree normally meets students while they're still in high school. "I meet with students so they can see this face. So they can see who I am and learn to trust me. We have different periods where students get reports on their progress, and whether it’s good or bad, I’m calling to encourage them. When it’s exam time, I call every student to wish them luck," he said. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Fleet Feet Pub Run & Walk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• "NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas" Ballet at the Jefferson Center (7 p.m.)
• Seph Custer and The Flat Breaks at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Healing in progress! A Virginia Tech student found this injured Hermit Thrush bleeding profusely in the stairwell of his apartment in October and brought him to us." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Ivan is a very special boy. He was born with the defects affecting his eyes, so they appear smaller than normal. This is a condition called microphthalmia and is sometimes seen in association with other ocular abnormalities like congenital cataracts. Although Ivan is only 5 months old, he is blind. But that doesn't slow him down!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Diversity Center: "Our thoughts and hearts go out to the victims, their families and everyone that went through this senseless shooting. Donations to the victims can be given through the Colorado Gives organization." (Roanoke Diversity Center via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "Make sure to vote! There are tons of local businesses and organizations nominated for the @blueridgeoutdoors "Best of the Blue Ridge" awards. Voting ends on Monday!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• CHIP of Roanoke Valley: "Ever wondered what it's like to be inside a snow globe? Well, now you can! Santa is bringing a 12-foot inflatable snow globe directly from the North Pole to Breakfast with Santa. Climb inside and our elves will snap a special photo of you!" (CHIP of Roanoke Valley via Facebook)

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There you have it! Thanks for reading this Tuesday edition of the Roanoke Daily. I'll see you tomorrow morning with 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