🌱 Vigil Held For Recent Murder Victim + Smokey Skies New To Many

Hey, friends! It's Friday and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in the community, including news about:

• Two people arrested for leaving dogs in a hot car.
• LewisGale reaches new designation in trauma care.
• Roanoke area given grant for opioid treatments.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: A p.m. t-storm in spots. High: 88 Low: 70.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke experienced a violent weekend with multiple shootings, causing immense devastation to several families. One of the victims was Jacari, a 16-year-old boy who was tragically murdered in his own home, just one month after celebrating his birthday. The police responded to a call and found him critically wounded from gunshot wounds. Despite their efforts, Jacari was pronounced dead at the scene by Roanoke Fire-EMS. His family believes their house was targeted, as they felt it was shot at more than 50 times. The community gathered for a vigil in Jacari's memory, demanding justice not only for him but for all the young lives lost in Roanoke. (WDBJ)
2. Residents of the Star City woke up to an unfamiliar sight as a haze spread over the area. The haze was caused by smoke from the Canadian wildfires, which had been affecting air quality across the United States. People like Angie Trivett, who regularly visits Roanoke with her family, noticed the unusual conditions while visiting the Roanoke Star, a popular spot to view the city skyline and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The smoke from the wildfires not only impacted Roanoke but also affected air quality in other parts of the United States and even reached Europe. This decrease in air quality can have adverse effects, particularly on individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. However, the good news is that the smoke is expected to clear out of Roanoke by the end of the work week. (WSLS)
3. LewisGale Medical Center in Virginia has been designated as a Level II Trauma Center by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Health. The recognition acknowledges the hospital's commitment to providing optimal care for sudden, life-threatening injuries. The medical center began pursuing Level II trauma status in response to the community's need for enhanced emergency services. As a Level II Trauma Center, the hospital not only benefits local residents but also serves as a backup care center for rural and community hospitals in the surrounding areas. This designation allows the hospital to provide prompt, comprehensive critical care. (WSET)
4. Two residents of Roanoke County, James Lipscomb and Ashleigh Hutton, are facing felony charges of animal cruelty after leaving their dogs in a hot car, resulting in the death of one of the animals. Shocking video captured by a witness, Victoria Owens, shows the dogs locked inside the vehicle in 90-degree heat with cracked windows. The incident occurred in a parking lot along Luck Avenue SW in Downtown Roanoke. The video depicts one dog panting heavily on the floor and another in the backseat. One of the dogs died shortly after the video was taken. A witness named Holly Moses tried to contact the owners but received no response, prompting her to call the police. Bystanders are allowed to break into a vehicle to rescue a child in an emergency under Virginia law, but the same protection is not extended to saving a dog. Moses, deeply affected by the incident, hopes that lawmakers will pass a Good Samaritan law to prevent such tragedies in the future. (WSLS)
5. Roanoke City and Roanoke County are increasing their investment in harm reduction techniques to assist individuals struggling with active addiction and recovery. The Opioid Abatement Authority has granted the Roanoke Valley over $750,000 as part of the recent opioid epidemic settlement. According to the National EMS Information System, Roanoke City ranks second in the nation for the rate of nonfatal opioid overdoses, with Virginia's rate exceeding the national average. The allocated funding is part of a larger $23 million grant designated for Virginia communities dealing with the opioid epidemic. As the grants were recently announced, there is currently no specific timeline for the distribution of the funds within the community, according to city leaders. (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

Friday, June 30

• Vinyl Vault Concert Series at Elmwood Park (5 p.m.)
• Grandin Chillage featuring music from Music Road Co. at CoLab Roanoke (6 p.m.)
• Jared Stout Band at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• '1776 The Musical' at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest (7:30 p.m.)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Father's Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating rad dads, past and present. Patch partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on exceptional fathers in communities like Roanoke. Click here to meet 13 awesome dads and learn more about the legacies they're leaving behind.

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools: "We are proud and excited to launch our new logo today, and with it, new division and school websites! Visit www.rcps.info to see our new look, which embodies who we are and where we are going." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Meet Officer J. Smith! Officer Smith has been employed with the Roanoke Police Department since 2013. Officer Smith was born in Pennsylvania, and applied to RPD after graduating high school." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Five more personnel were promoted at the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. There was a total of 29 personnel promoted. Yesterday, five more were pinned in a ceremony to honor their accomplishments." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Hey! Kermit wants everyone to know that her doggy friends really love Pupperoni treats and we're out! We're also in need of copy paper. Luckily, these items are pretty inexpensive, so if several people donate just one small item each it would help a lot!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com