🌱 William Fleming Lockdown + Five Question Fridays

Hello again, everybody! Time for the Friday edition of the Roanoke Daily. I hope you've all got a busy weekend planned ... or a relaxed weekend. Whatever gets it done for you.

In this edition you'll read about:

• Kroger and Coca-Cola partner to help kids in need.
• A new downtown art exhibit that's soon to open.
• And Roanoke County is recognized with an economic development award.

Let's dive in!

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and not as warm. (Finally. If I can't go to the pool, I want it to get cooler.)

High: 72 Low: 49.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. William Fleming High School was locked down and searched by police Wednesday afternoon after a student made a threat. The lockdown began at 10:30 a.m. and ended at 12:30 p.m. with students being dismissed for the rest of the day. Later in the day, police said a 14-year-old girl had been charged with making an electronic threat to kill or do harm and that she was being transported to the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Center. Threats to schools have been a recent trend throughout the area with Patrick Henry High School being locked down later Wednesday as well, though police quickly identified that threat as a hoax. Both Franklin County and Salem schools have also been the scene of similar actions in recent weeks. (Roanoke Times)
2. Kroger and Coca-Cola Consolidated have partnered up to help local students in need. The two companies led an effort they hope will be a simple gift, but one with substantial impact. Wednesday morning organizers delivered 200 backpacks to Straight Street, a downtown Roanoke nonprofit whose mission "is to provide a positive Christian environment where at-risk youth can go and obtain the necessary skills and training needed to mature and to discover God’s Divine plan for their lives," according to their website. "Being able to know somebody cares enough that does not know me, is going to provide me with food for myself and some of our siblings in the house, that goes a long way. When strangers care, that means a lot," said Keith Farmer, director of Straight Street. (WDBJ, WSLS, Straight Street website)
3. A new cooperative effort between Roanoke's art galleries, The Downtown Roanoke Arts Collective, is hosting its first exhibition, Gallery Grids, starting Friday, Oct. 7. More than 500 artists have submitted panels and the event will be open to the public, is family-friendly, and will take place across four downtown located galleries throughout the month of October. Doug Jackson, Roanoke Arts Commission Arts and Cultural coordinator, said, "The city’s galleries are the heart of Roanoke’s local art market. When the galleries are collectively showing a diverse range of arts and crafts, residents and visitors alike get the full sense of our community, and when those galleries are working collaboratively, the message spreads faster, art’s easier to find, and we all flourish together." (Roanoke Star)
4. The International Economic Development Council recognized Roanoke County with a Silver Award in its Excellence in Economic Development Awards for the Reimagine 419 Plan, created and implemented by the county’s economic development department. The plan focuses on the area surrounding Tanglewood Mall and led to "15 new business announcements since 2021 representing over 700 jobs created and more than $70 million in capital investment," said a press release. The county competed in the 25,000-200,000-population category and has spent approximately $60 million to fund transportation improvements such as a new diverging diamond interchange, the widening of Route 419, and the installation of sidewalks and crosswalks. (Roanoke Times, IEDC website)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Friday Coffee Club Ride starting at Sweet Donkey Coffee (9 a.m.)
• TXTUR Grand Opening in Roanoke's Fire Station #1 (10 a.m.)
• Yoga Teacher Training at Uttara Yoga Studio (6 p.m.)
• Eric Wayne Trio as part of the Friday Food Truck & Tunes event at Sweet Donkey (6 p.m.)
• Us and Floyd, a Pink Floyd Tribute band, at Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges (6 p.m.)

Five Question Fridays:

This Friday for our second edition of Five Question Fridays we're talking to Waynette Anderson, a local entrepreneur and founder of Dr Pepper Park at The Bridges.

#1) What attracted you to Roanoke and why have you stayed?

"I moved here for a promotion in 1993. I have stayed in Roanoke because of the friends I have here. Roanoke is the perfect balance of city and country life. I was hooked right away!"

#2) What is one thing you would like fellow Roanokers to know about you personally? (i.e. you volunteer for a certain charity or cause, you hope to write the great American novel someday, you sing funny songs to your dog every morning before you leave the house, etc.)

"I am a huge animal lover. My animals are my children. I have two dogs, Hilda and Josie and one cat, Lewis. They are all rescues, and my entire world revolves around them."

#3) What is something that you would like to see come to or happen in Roanoke that is not presently being seen or done? Have you done anything yourself to try to make this happen? (i.e. an industry you think would thrive here and would like to see have a presence, a social movement you think is currently underrepresented here, etc.)

"Dr Pepper Park was developed because I listened to my community and what they wanted to see in the Roanoke Valley. Since 2015 we've highlighted local musicians as well as national touring acts and become the home of Roanoke's biggest one day food festival, The Roanoke Wing Fest."

#4) What is the thing you are most proud of having accomplished since being in Roanoke and what is something you wish had turned out differently? (i.e. you were instrumental in getting a certain statue placed prominently or a building named in honor of someone in particular, you wish you hadn't admitted to singing funny songs to your dog above, but it's too late because we got you now, etc.)

"I am most proud of Dr Pepper Park being voted Best Live Music venue year after year. It makes our team feel proud that our hard work is appreciated and enjoyed by our community! I wish that the Blue Ridge Bike Fest had been able to continue for Roanoke. Unfortunately, we don't have a venue here that is large enough and that is willing to collaborate in Roanoke. It would have been great to continue a beloved rally that attracted so many motorcycle enthusiasts."

#5) How would you describe Roanoke to someone visiting for the first time or planning a trip here?

"I tell everyone that it's a big city with a small-town feel. We have so many options for entertainment and recreation. Our Downtown Roanoke area is thriving, and we have lots of great dining options. The mountains and outdoor beauty make this town a must visit city!"

Thank you for taking the time to talk with us Waynette! Be sure to visit Waynette and Dr Pepper Park tonight for Us And Floyd, a Pink Floyd tribute band!

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Well, that's it for today! I'll see you tomorrow morning for more.

— 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.

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