🌱 Mask Mandate Reversed + St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry

Happy Friday, neighbors! Here's what's happening today in Roanoke.

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First, today's weather:

Colder; breezy in the morning. High: 29 Low: 14.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. After some debate this week, the Roanoke County School Board descended its vote this week about requiring masks in schools. During a special Thursday night meeting, the school board voted 4-1 in favor of making masks optional for students. The vote was made as COVID-19 cases rise in Roanoke and its schools. (WDBJ 7)
2. A church in Roanoke has opened a new client-choice food pantry. St. Mark's Lutheran Church opened the pantry, The Lion's Share, on Wednesday after the church saw an increase in food need over the last few months. The church launched the pantry through a test run in November. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

• 2022 Stampede Championship Rodeo At Salem Civic Center (5:00 PM)
• Electric Road: Live Music At Twisted Track Brewpub (6:00 PM)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Stick it to Cancer Weekend At Berglund Center (7:05 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Happy #nationalbirdday! Birds are the most diverse group of animals that we treat here at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke—from tiny tots to gargantuan giants we treat them all! (Facebook)
• Deputy Chief Jamison joined the Lynchburg Police Department in January 1997. Thank you Deputy Chief for your continued dedication and service to the City of Lynchburg! (Facebook)
• Passed by the #VirginiaGeneralAssembly in 2020, the #PlasticBagTax, which is self-imposed, is now in effect in #RoanokeCity. Learn more about the environmental impact of plastic in our community: www.roanokeva.gov/plasticbagtax. (Instagram)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with 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.