🌱 WDBJ7's Robin Reed Retiring + New Kids Square Construction Exhibit

Hello friends! It's me, Ian, host of the Roanoke Daily. Let's get this Saturday started off right with a quick dive into what's going on around town, including updates on:

• Roanoke City has another highest rate in the state besides crime
• The Salem VA is offering a new music program
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office is giving back

Lesssgo!

But first, today's weather:

Some sun, then clouds.

High: 65 Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. New reports have identified Roanoke City as having highest number of children in the foster care system in the state. The city has a total of 5.4 percent of children remanded to care for a total of 273 and it's been that way for nearly a year. "Our folks are just handling emergency after emergency,” said Sue Reese, Roanoke City's Family Services manager for the Department of Social Services. Roanoke City DSS is only four months into their fiscal year and have already used up 90 percent of their overtime budget due to staffing issues. "I really couldn’t speculate on why Roanoke City might be higher in foster care because our workers do an excellent job trying to divert that from happening. But we do err on the side of safety when there’s ever a question of a child’s safety." (WSLS)
2. WDBJ Channel 7 is recognizing longtime weatherman Robin Reed as he prepares to retire after 40 years at the station in front of and behind the cameras. Reed has served primarily as a meteorologist, but has worn many other hats including sports and anchoring during his tenure. Perhaps the most unexpected was his stint in Roanoker Magazine as the Valley's Best Male Sex Symbol. "Robin was absolutely just masterful about getting people’s attention. He has so much trust and respect in the community, and undoubtedly the decades of relaying those warnings has saved lives," said Phil Hysell, Warning Coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Reed plans to retire in early December. (WDBJ)
3. Paul “Chip” McCauley, 58, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a longtime Roanoke area resident, recently spent 12 weeks participating in a new music therapy program at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center. McCauley was on duty in 1983 in Lebanon when Islamic militants drove a truck laden with explosives into the American and French barracks at the Beirut Airport during the Lebanon Civil War. "I lost 241 friends that day. My guitar is a tribute to those guys. The better I get at this, the longer they'll live through my music," he said. The program was made possible through funding from the Veterans Health Administration and allowed music therapist Beth Woodward to purchase 16 cigar box guitar kits, enough for four groups. (Roanoke Times)
4. The Construction Zone at Center in the Square's Kids Square in downtown Roanoke is officially set to launch today after conducting a month of soft openings. Funded by The Branch Group and Carter Machinery, the exhibit/play area features a number of construction related stations such as a mini excavator, a dump truck, and an area where kids can use tools to build a house. "We believe that reaching kids in their earliest years not only helps them to develop the cognitive and physical skills that they need to succeed, but also inspires the lifelong enthusiasm for a career," said Kids Square Executive Director Felicia Branham. (WFIR)
5. The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office is offering area families a free Thanksgiving Meal at an event called Thanksgiving Giveback that will be held at the Melrose Branch Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 19. The event will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. and RCSO officials say the goal is to help 300 area households be able to sit and share a traditional meal on Thanksgiving Day. Families must pre-register to be able to pick up their turkey and dinner sides. Applications opened on Nov. 7 and will close at midnight on Nov. 14. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Community Walk in Response to Gun Violence (8 a.m.)
• Intro to Furniture Painting at Black Dog Salvage (10:30 a.m.)
• Veterans Parade in downtown Roanoke (10:45 a.m.)
• Retro Rail ’80’s Party with Fuzzy Logic at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (6 p.m.)
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra presents Virtuoso Strings at the Jefferson Center (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke County Police Department: "Roanoke County names new Chief of Police. Roanoke County Administrator Richard L. Caywood, P.E. is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Poindexter as the next Chief of Police effective Jan. 1, 2023." (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Thank you Chick-fil-A Valley View Boulevard! Yesterday, they generously donated 52 boxed lunches to feed our personnel who were busy working on scenes of the day's fires. We appreciate your support!" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "A late night rescue for this glue trap Carolina Wren! This bird is actually lucky that more is not damaged which is typical for glue trap cases — many of the birds we receive have severe injuries and die from dehydration." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges: "🗣 Calling all parents!! Our 2023 Season Passes have a new perk! Kids 12 and under get in free to any Dr Pepper Park event with your 2023 season pass! Pre-Register for yours NOW!" (Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges via Facebook)
• Shield Chap: "Thank you Roanoke Times for giving our valley a looking into our ministry Shield Chaplaincy! Go check out the front page article in todays news paper, or the link their website. We are so grateful for this awesome promotion!" (Shield Chap via Facebook)

There you go — you're all set on news for this Saturday! 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