🌱 Vinton Palooza + Local Barber Offers Free Back 2 School Haircuts

Good morning! Happy Tuesday. Got your coffee on? Good. Let's take a look at the news.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny.

High: 85 Low: 63.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. RAYSAC, The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, has announced it will be holding its annual roundtable conference online again this year and has invited local community leaders from all over the state to attend. The topic of this year's conference will be Roanoke's opioid crisis and organizers hope to shed light on what works and what doesn't work when combating abuse. "We are trying to bring some highlights to specific efforts that are addressing the fentanyl crisis in our area and the opioid crisis in general in our area. Really we're trying to find trends that our leadership and our elected officials can be educated about and take those to their jobs and better be able to address those things," said Adam Biel, RAYSAC's director. (WFIR)
2. The first ever Vinton Palooza was held this past weekend on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial. It featured food trucks, crafts, local bands, bouncy houses and yard games. The aim of the all-new event was to increase awareness around Roanoke and the region about what Vinton has to offer. "We are a small town, but are really progressing at this point and these sort of things attract other people to Vinton and provide them a way to see what our small town has offer," said an unidentified attendee. (WDBJ, WSLS)
3. George Harrington and the barbers at First Impressions on Melrose Avenue recently held a Free Back to School Haircut event for neighborhood children complete with music and food as a way to boost confidence and help bring the community together. Harrington has been cutting hair at the location for 23 years. "When the kids see themselves with a nice cut they feel good. We are more than just me cutting your hair. I might be your brother. Nine times out of ten you meet a lot of people at the barber shop you will be best of friends," he said. (WSLS)
4. Another sudden and unexplained closure has struck the Roanoke restaurant scene with the news that the Red Lobster location on Franklin Road has permanently closed its doors after 42 years in business. Visitors to the restaurant Sunday morning were met with a sign on the door that said "due to unfortunate circumstances this location will be permanently closed after 42 years." Callers reported on social media that they were told by staff that management had been notified that morning to close the restaurant permanently and without any further explanations. (WFIR, Facebook)
5. Roanoke City Police are investigating another shooting that happened overnight on Sunday.This time it was at a parking garage on Salem Avenue in downtown Roanoke. Detectives and officers said reports came in around 2 a.m. and they found evidence of the shooting inside the garage, but no victims or suspects had been located. It was later reported that one victim had driven himself to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and that an argument was thought to have led to the exchange of gunfire. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA Chipotle Fundraiser Night (4 p.m.)
• School Board Workshop - Roanoke School District (5:30 p.m.)
• The Famous Tuesday Night Beer Ride, starting at Twin Creeks Brewing Co. (5:45 p.m.)
• Fleet Feet Pub Run & Walk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• GOTE at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools: "We were so excited to celebrate with Lincoln Terrace Elementary School on Friday during their new playground ribbon cutting ceremony! Thank you to our hardworking grounds team for seeing this project to the finish line!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We may not be able to read our pets minds but we can learn to read their body language. The majority of the dogs we see here at the shelter are nervous when they first come in. They may sit in the corner, not make eye contact, shake or vocalize. This is totally understandable because there are so many new faces and smells." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: Mark your calendars for Grandparent's Day on September 10! Admission is just $5! It will featured live music by Mason Creek, Uncle Toot's BBQ Truck, games and activities, caricatures and a cupcake walk. (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "The doctor is in! Dr. Mary is back at the Raleigh Court Branch Library Saturday for another amazing garden and wellness program. Want more details? Feel free to message Dr. Mary herself at khameleoninfo@gmail.com." (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

Alrighty. You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you tomorrow.

— 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.

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