🌱 New County Administrator + Roanoke Awarded 4 VATI Grants

Happy Wednesday, Roanoke! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 54 Low: 35.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Roanoke County Board has appointed a new administrator. At its meeting yesterday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an employment agreement with Richard L. Caywood, P.E. He has served as Roanoke County's Assistant County Administrator since March 2013 and will assume his new role on Feb. 1, 2022. (The Roanoke Star)
2. Roanoke County has been awarded four Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grants totaling over $3.7 million to fund broadband expansion for residents. The County partnered with internet service providers to leverage more than $7.7 million to improve broadband connectivity throughout the County. (The Roanoke Star)
3. "Dopesick," the limited series for Hulu that filmed in Virginia this past year, has been nominated for a Golden Globe for best television limited series or motion picture made for television. The eight-part series is based on Roanoke author Beth Macy's bestselling book "Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America." It tells the true story of how one company, Purdue Pharma, and its drug OxyContin triggered the worst opioid epidemic in America. (Roanoke Times)
4. Several streets in downtown Roanoke will be closed Dec. 17 through Dec. 19 for events throughout the area. (WDBJ7)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Roanoke, save with Sam's Club Membership & Donate 25% to end Hunger! (9:00 AM)

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Events:

• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD's Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. 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.