🌱 $550K In Grants To Help Stop Gun Violence + VHSL Rejects Appeals

Good morning, Roanoke! Happy Saturday to you all. I hope you're all set to enjoy a relaxing weekend. Here's a look at some local news to get you started.

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First, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around in the p.m.

High: 86 Low: 67.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. A Roanoke man who said he was just heading to the store for a drink stopped to assist a police officer who was being attacked near the intersection of Williamson and Hershberger Roads. Tony Peters said of the incident, "When I rode by, I was driving by slow and I saw they were struggling right at her door, so, I pulled in. We need to all help each other. I mean especially with all the shootings going on in Roanoke. It needs to stop. I mean this is, it's getting bad." The man attacking the officer was Terry Yerkey and he managed to get into the officer's cruiser and lead police on a chase that ended in Botetourt County when he crashed. He has been charged with assault on a police officer, theft of a motor vehicle and felony hit-and-run. (WDBJ)
2. Carilion Clinic, Family Service of the Roanoke Valley and Total Action for Progress were each awarded federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to help combat gun violence in the Star City. The three grants total $550,000 and will be used for a variety of programs including helping gunshot wound victims after they leave the hospital, staffing in a counseling center and moving low income families out of violent hot spots. Roanoke City Police have reported a 21% increase in firearm-related crimes and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital a 48% increase in firearm-related injuries from 2020 to 2021 , a press release said. "Through these short-term and long-term efforts, I'm confident, and we are confident, that we will break this cycle of violence and reduce gun violence in our community," said city councilman Joe Cobb, who also serves on the city's Gun Violence Prevention Commission. (Roanoke Times)
3. Duncan Acura, Audi and BMW, a long time staple on Peters Creek Road, has a new owner in Parks Automotive Group from North Carolina. Formerly locally owned and operated by the Duncan family who own many other dealerships in the Star City area. "I just turned 70 years old, I've been a dealer for 50 years. I tell everybody I have a PHD- my papa had a dealership. It's time to scale down a little bit," Duncan Automotive's president, Gary Duncan said He was sure to add that other Duncan locations are not being sold, only the Peters Creek dealership. No word yet on whether the dealership will change names with the new owners, but with the other Duncan dealerships still operating under that banner a name change is probably a safe bet. (WDBJ)
4. The Virginia High School League's Alignment Appeals Committee met last month to hear 37 appeals from schools who disagreed with their most recent placements. Among the schools were Patrick Henry and William Fleming in Roanoke and James River in Botetourt County and now the committee has announced its verdicts. It has rejected the appeals of Patrick Henry and James River and approved the appeal of William Fleming. The schools whose appeals were rejected can still appeal to the Executive Committee, which will meet later in September, but for now it looks like Patrick Henry will move from Class 5 to Class 6, William Fleming will stay in class 5, but move to Region C from Region D, and James River will stay in Class 2 instead of moving to Class 1. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

• 35th Annual Roanoke Valley Mopar Car Show at the Salem Civic Center (8 a.m.)
• Roanoke Labor Day Parade on Campbell Ave. in Downtown Roanoke (Noon)
• Smith Mountain Lake Live Music Festival 2022 at The Coves (3 p.m.)
• The Bogeys presented at Daleville Town Center (5 p.m.)
• Beex / Cinémathèque / Ex Parents at The Spot on Kirk (8 p.m.)
• Illbotz & Jackal Tickets at Martin's Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Roanoke Emergency Medical Services, Inc.: "Congratulations Adam Dean on your Fire & EMS Academy graduation tonight." (Roanoke Emergency Medical Services, Inc. via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Spunky boy Shep is happiest with — you guessed it — toys! Shep likes to play a game to see how many toys he can fit in his mouth at one time. So far, his record is four, but he's working to break that record!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "🔥 On August 26, Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 1400 block of Melrose Avenue for reports of a structure fire. Arriving units found smoke showing and upon search located a fire in the kitchen which was quickly extinguished." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley Television: "Today Roanoke County, Virginia celebrated the ribbon cutting for the McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle. This exciting new option will offer a new way for hikers to reach the Appalachian Trail safely." (Roanoke Valley Television via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Today marks the first week of our Advanced Citizens Police Academy! These individuals are getting an eight-week course on the history, structure, daily operations, and more of the Roanoke Police Department." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)

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Alrighty there you have it! I hope you have a fun Saturday and 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.

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