🌱 NAACP Voter Registration Drive-Thru + Last Day for Splash Valley

Good morning and Happy Labor Day everyone!

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First, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around in the p.m.

High: 79 Low: 69.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The southbound rest stop on I-81 just north of Troutville in Botetourt County is expected to reopen after a $4.9 million renovation that has had the area closed since May. As is the case with a lot of things these days, supply chain issues led to delays in the delivery of the new lighting fixtures and pushed back the reopening from the original date before Labor Day. The project extended entry and exit the ramps and expanded the parking area, which had been quite small. It is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in December of 2018. More information can be found at Improve81.org. (Roanoke Times)
2. With the end of the summer in sight, Roanoke County's Splash Valley and many other local area pools are preparing to close for the season. Most pools begin their season on Memorial Day and close on Labor Day, meaning today is the last day to get out and enjoy a good splash. "People should know that we have great weather. Lifeguards are ready for you. FA's are ready for you. Concessions are ready for you. We are running a special for Roanoke County residents and Green Bridge Recreation members and it is $7 for them to get in all day," said Roanoke County Aquatics Director Paige Hickey. If you're not a Roanoke County resident you can still get in for only $7 after 4 p.m. (WDBJ)
3. William Byrd High School graduate and current Virginia Tech senior Katie Dillon spent the summer working as an intern for Getty Images, a stock photo giant whose watermarked offerings you've no doubt encountered if you've ever searched for an image online. Dillon found the internship through LinkedIn and the Television Academy Foundation Internship Program, which is an arm of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She worked remotely from Blacksburg for most of it, though she was able to go to Getty's North Hollywood offices at one point and assist with a photo shoot. A Roanoke native, Dillon hopes to move to New York or Los Angeles in the future and find a company with a good culture and creative opportunities. (Roanoke Times)
4. The most recent Board of Supervisors meeting in Botetourt County approved an additional $2.4 million for the public school system of which $2 million will be targeted for school capital and the remaining money divided among instructional areas. "We are supportive of our school system and have been working with [Superintendent] Dr. Russ and members of the School Board and look forward to continuing to work with them cooperatively to continue progress," said supervisor Mac Scothorn. "We would ask the school system to provide a listing of the work that will be done with the new state funds as well as Capital Reserve Funds and the timeline when work will take place so we and the public can know what progress is taking place and when. (Botetourt Bee)
5. The Roanoke Branch of the NAACP hosted its fifth annual voter registration drive-thru on Melrose Avenue on Saturday. As volunteers including branch president Brenda Hale handed out voter registration papers, the branch's youth council was on site to help raise funds by selling hot dogs and soft drinks. "We want them to vote. You can't participate in the process if you're not registered to vote. They can't stay at home. We won't allow them to stay at home," said Hale. "It's big," added attendee Mike Hamlar, the owner of Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home. "What people fail to realize sometimes is the most important elections are the local elections because they affect policy today. They get in office, they make a decision that affects us right now. On the state level, federal level, it can take a little while. But local elections are very important." (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

• LABOR DAY JAM!! Annalyse Marie & Tim Rowlett LIVE at Mitchell's Marina (2 p.m.)
• Labor Day Concert & Fireworks at Eastlake Community Church (5 p.m.)
• $5 Dollar Shake at Rosie's Gaming in Vinton (8 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Roanoke Outside: "Goat Yoga is next weekend at Fishburn Mansion! Signup link in profile." (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "This sweet momma and her five kittens came in for a vet check this week. They've been loving life in foster care where the kittens learn to play and explore and mom gets some much needed TLC." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• City of Roanoke Government: "Congratulations everyone! Thank you for keeping our city safe!" (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Market Building: "Our fearless leader Elliot Broyles spent all year prepping for World Beard Day by collecting hair clippings and gluing them together into this beard so he could participate. It was truly a labor of love." (Roanoke City Market Building via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today and happy Labor Day once again! I'll see you tomorrow for your unofficial, but technically speaking Monday.

— 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