🌱 Drug Distributer Gets 14 Years In Prison + Gas Prices Rise

Hey, people of Roanoke! Nicole Fallon-Peek here with the Tuesday issue of the Roanoke Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 64 Low: 41.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Roanoke:

1. Stephen Cornell Vaughn Jr, 39, will serve 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to distributing drugs across the Roanoke Valley area. Investigators were able to prove that Vaughn transported more than 100 pounds of narcotics across the Roanoke area during his conspiracy. The investigation into Vaughn's operation was a joint effort conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia State Police, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force, Roanoke law enforcement agencies, and the City of Salem Police Department. (WSLS 10)
2. Roanoke's Mayor Sherman Lea is calling for the continued "bridge" between Roanoke and its sister city Pskov. Governor Youngkin urged Virginia cities over the weekend to sever their ties with Russian sister cities following the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. In a letter, Lea states that he "[stands] united with [Youngkin] and President Biden in denouncing the heinous actions undertaken by Vladimir Putin." However, he added that "Any change in this relationship should only proceed after thoughtful deliberation by the entire Roanoke City Council in collaboration with the Roanoke Valley Sisters Cities Program grounded in a firm understanding of the intent and benefit of such relationships." (WDBJ7)
3. Gas prices continue to rise throughout the Roanoke area. According to data compiled by GasBuddy, gas prices rose 7.9 cents the last week and prices have risen 23.8 cents over the last month. The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked increased concerns about oil production and the impact on consumers at the gas pump. (WDBJ7)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Blood Drive At The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce (2:00 PM)
• School Board Work Session At Roanoke County (3:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Donations to The Rescue Mission of Rescue can lead to big solutions for the community. The Mission extends a big thank you to DS Smith for donating much-needed non-perishables over the weekend. (Facebook)
• PARK Roanoke will be changing the Center in the Square parking garage to a 24/7 paid garage starting today. The change was approved by the City of Roanoke. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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.