🌱 First Ever Blue Ridge Jamboree + Crime Rate Means More Self-Defense

Hi, everybody! Happy September! I've always liked September because it feels like the beginning of autumn. I'll miss pool season, but am definitely looking forward to cooler temperatures. Let's look at some local news now.

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First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun.

High: 87 Low: 63.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) launched two new round trips in July on its state-supported trains, one to Roanoke and one to Norfolk. Now, in partnership with Amtrak, VPRA has announced that ridership has hit an all-time high. "These numbers make it very clear that Virginians want more passenger rail to be a part of their transportation network. With the launch of two new roundtrips and the resumption of another, we know that rail works for the Commonwealth and look forward to further expanding service throughout the state," said DJ Stadtler, executive director of the VPRA. Route No. 46 in Roanoke has been seeing a lot of growth with numbers up by 72% between 2021 and 2022. (Roanoke Star)
2. Crime is spiking across the nation and Roanoke is no exception. Here in the Star City, crime rates have soared with homicides, domestic violence and car thefts all having increased year over year with rape seeing the biggest jump, an increase of 113%. This has led many Roanokers to take the matter of protecting themselves into their own hands, literally. "Anyone can watch the news right now and see this world is getting a lot more violent. [The answer] is simple. Be proactive and learn how to fight," said Bryan Cochran, owner of KRAV MAGA Roanoke. "Hitting hard and making noise, while simple, may save your life." He also suggests repetition with regular self-defense classes so that you're practiced and know what to do if you're ever faced with an attacker. "Evil exists and evil will always exist. They look like you and I or any of us. They don't wear horns. They don't have tails. There is always going to be bad people out there. Always," he added. (WSLS)
3. The first ever Blue Ridge Jamboree is set to happen on stages in Roanoke and Asheville to benefit the Friends of the Blue Ridge. The event is scheduled for November 5 at the Jefferson Center and will feature author and music scholar Dr. Ted Olson, music by T. Michael Coleman, Jack Lawrence, Wayne Henderson and Jack Hinshelwood, and is titled "Doc Watson at 100." The title is to honor Arthel Lane Watson, an American guitarist, songwriter and singer of folk, country, bluegrass, blues and gospel music. "Part of our mission is celebrating the cultural uniqueness and environmental beauty of the Blue Ridge region. Our vision for the Blue Ridge Jamboree is to create an annual event featuring our Blue Ridge musical heritage, with multiple shows throughout our region where FRIENDS chapters are located," said Executive Director Julie Whalen. (Roanoke Star, Friends of the Blue Ridge, Doc Watson Wikipedia)
4. For the whole two viewers who still watch television via antenna, WDBJ Channel 7 has announced that it will be moving to a new frequency beginning September 27. The rescan as it's apparently called is the result of the reallocation of airwaves to wireless internet services by the Federal Communications Commission and requires that nearly 1,000 stations change their broadcasting frequencies over the next three years. WDBJ was emphatic about making sure cable and satellite customers understood that this change does not affect them at all in any way. (WDBJ)
5. A Roanoke City neighborhood organization, Neighbors of South Roanoke, recently hosted a City Council Candidate Forum moderated by long-time local celebrity, John Carlin. The event featured a two-minute opening by each candidate, a series of questions that were answered by YES/NO/MAYBE, questions from the audience, and a 1-minute closing by each candidate. Subjects ranged from the Evans Spring Development and curbing crime to affordable housing and whether or not candidates supported the current city manager, Bob Cowell. The election will be held November 8 and early in-person voting begins September 23. (Roanoke Star)

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Today in Roanoke:

• The Embers featuring Craig Woolard at Party in Elmwood (5:30 p.m.)
• Bus Riders of Roanoke Advocacy Group meeting at Gainsboro Branch Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Bike Packing 101 at Cardinal Bicycle (6 p.m.)
• Cover Cropping Your Home Garden at Morningside Urban Farm (6:30 p.m.)
• Creative Conversations: Small Business Meet Up at The Collective (7 p.m.)
• Palmyra and Dogwood Tales at The Spot on Kirk (7:30 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Roanoke College: "President Frank Shushok said convocation means a "calling together" so Maroons were called together today for Opening Convocation. Three students and a faculty member shared their unique Maroon stories with advice for the new students." (Roanoke College via Instagram)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Teeny tiny little cottontail! This baby bunny is only 47 grams — for reference that's about half the weight of a deck of playing cards! This little one was caught by a cat. Eastern Cottontails are the most common rabbit in Virginia." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Police Department: "#TireTuesday Thank you Officer Foutz and Deputy Cline for helping these motorists get back on the road!! #ForgeYourPath" (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Neveah recently celebrated her 13th birthday at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, and she brought in a special birthday surprise for us! Her one birthday wish was to fill a whole TRUCK with donations for the Roanoke Valley SPCA and not only did Neveah fill the truck, they actually had to bring a second car top carry for all her donations!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• PLAY Roanoke: "The pavilion at Fishburn Park will soon have a paved access path!⁠ ⁠ Park and Murray Run Greenway users, please be aware that crews are doing work in the area between the pavilion and bridge and there will also be some equipment in the path." (PLAY Roanoke via Facebook)

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

— 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