🌱 Blood Shortage Crisis + Transportation Museum + Hanover Ave.

Welcome back, Roanoke! Here's everything you need to know to get this Thursday started off right.

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 41 Low: 29.

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Here are the top three stories today in Roanoke:

1. Amidst the first-ever blood shortage crisis, Red Cross is offering $10 Amazon gift cards to those who donate blood or plasma in February. Those who donate in January will automatically be entered to win two tickets to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, California. Check out all the upcoming blood drives in the Roanoke area so that you can get involved. (Roanoke Patch)
2. Roanoke's Transportation Museum is seeking state funding and a new direction. The funding is being requested by Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, who filed Senate Bill 72, which would establish the museum as a state-sanctioned institution of public education. The bill must first be passed in the state Senate and House of Delegates, then incoming Gov. Glenn Youngkin's administration would make the final decision whether or not to make it law. (Roanoke Times)
3. Police are looking for a suspect after shots were fired at a home in the 2100 block of Hanover Avenue NW. Reportedly, a male had forced his way onto the property and spoke with people inside the building, then fired shots into the air and the home while running off. No injuries were reported and police believe this is an isolated case. (WDBJ7)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Wing Chun Kung Fu, At Gainsboro Branch Library (4:00 PM)
• Career Help: Resumes And Cover Letters, At Williamson Road Branch Library (1:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Ever wonder about the history of McAfee Knob? Folks began hiking to the knob around the turn of the century and even then there were issues with parking. Horse and buggy parking was an issue for would-be hikers even in the early 1900s. (Instagram)
• Meet Tu Doan, the owner of Viet Sub on Williamson Road. She was born in Vietnam but came to Roanoke as a child, graduated from Roanoke College, and started a business with her husband who came to the U.S. in 2012. (Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc. has updated its list of participating Restaurant Week locations and some restaurants have changed their menus, so be sure to double-check before you go! (Instagram)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.