🌱 Williamson Road Wreck Causes Closure + Donations Pour In For Vinton

Hey, friends! It's Wednesday in Roanoke and I'm back to get you caught up on the things happening in the community today.

First, today's weather:

Humid with a heavy t-storm.

High: 93 Low: 75.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Roanoke Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The American Legion Riders, a motorcycle group who rides to raise money for the scholarships of Post 9/11 veterans killed in combat, made their annual Legacy Run through Roanoke recently. "Here at the post, because of the COVID, a lot of our programs have been kind of tabled a little bit, but for this ride, it brought out way more people than we've seen in a long time" said Assistant Director Brian Whiten. (WFIR News Talk Radio)
2. Hundreds of area residents came to the Vinton Fourth of July celebration held on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial Monday evening. While the event is normally well-attended, crowds surged to new records after the tragic fires that struck Vinton last week caused the closure of several businesses. "Our folks have always turned out and this year I think we’re gonna have a great crowd, they’ve already started gathering," said Mayor Brad Grose. "It’s really been heartwarming and really quite overwhelming to see the response from our citizens." (WDBJ)
3. The 6700 block of Williamson Road near Brookside Auto Sales and Shenandoah Baptist Church was closed Monday afternoon for about three hours after a wreck involving a motorcycle and one other vehicle. "Motorists are asked to use alternate routes at this time and to avoid the area while the scene is being investigated. It is unknown at this time whether alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in the crash. One party is in critical condition. Names are not being released at this time. Further information will be released as it becomes available," according to a press release. (Roanoke Times)
4. According to a recent GasBuddy survey of Roanoke area gas stations, the price per gallon is down almost $0.11 to an average of $4.37 for regular unleaded and $0.06 to an average of $5.72 for diesel. The GasBuddy survey consists of 155 area stations and has data compiled going back 10 years. "As expected, and for the third straight week, average gasoline prices have fallen to their lowest level in over a month. The price of wholesale gasoline has plummeted, providing price relief as millions of Americans hit the road for summer holidays,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. (WDBJ)
5. Donations poured in over the Fourth of July for those displaced by the building fires in Vinton. Nine people lost everything except the clothes on their backs and now the community is rallying to help them. "Every time I came here the bin was completely full, which was amazing. The third time I came out here the whole porch was full. I was like, ‘Oh my goodness. Somebody has moved out of their house and moved here,’" said Vinton Community Programs Director Chasity Barbour. There is still a need for women's clothing sizes 0 - 2. (WSLS 10)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Chillin' Ice Doin' Nice Supporting Roanoke Valley SPCA (3 p.m.)
• Live music: Roanoke Old Time & Americana Jam at Golden Cactus Brewing (6 p.m.)
• Yo.Go.Play presented at Morningside Urban Farm (6:30 p.m.)
• Soul Sessions Wednesday Night Poetry Show at Verses (7 p.m.)
• Live music: Winston Ramble at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "This house finch is in stitches — and not the fun kind! After being brutally attacked by a cat this poor bird’s back was ripped open in addition to losing a large number of his feathers, leaving him unable to fly. " (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "This week the Science Museum of Western Virginia will be stopping by the Roanoke City Library branches with fun programs for kids of all ages!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: "We are just one week away from our Coast to Coast Camp starting July 11! It is not too late to sign up! Register your camper!" (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)

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Events:

• Purcellville Wine and Food Festival (July 16)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you tomorrow!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. His interests are in politics, history, and religion and the stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. 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