🌱 Residential Fire Displaces Roanoke Family + America Saves 2022

Hello, neighbors! It's me again, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Roanoke Daily.

---

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and cold. High: 39 Low: 22.

---

Here are the top 3 stories today in Roanoke:

1. The City of Roanoke urges the community to participate in America Saves Week 2022. The event is meant to prepare families for unexpected financial hardships through daily savings of funds. According to data released by the United Way, 31 percent of families had to dip into their savings to make ends meet. (Press Release Desk )
2. Residents have been displaced after a fire that occurred in the 2100 block of Wildwood Road. The fire caused the home to be deemed a total loss. The cause of the fire has not been determined but the Roanoke County Fire Marshal's Office is searching for one. No one was hurt during the fire and it was extinguished within 45 minutes of crews arriving at the scene. (WDBJ7)
3. After a new ordinance made it illegal to sleep on downtown sidewalks, the City of Roanoke is seeing high levels of compliance. The City's Homeless Assistance Team has been working with the homeless population to find new locations to sleep. According to officials, homeless individuals have either taken up residence at shelters or have found other places to stay outside of the downtown area; regardless, they have not seen an increase in demand for services. (WSLS 10)

---

From our sponsor:

Today's Roanoke Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

---

Today in Roanoke:

• City Planning Commission At The Roanoke City Council (1:30 PM)

---

From my notebook:

• The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke showcases one of its most beautiful year-round birds, the Cedar Waxwing. (Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools have displayed artwork created by students at Garden City. Click to take a look at the art that is hanging on the Morningside Urban Farm garden shed. (Facebook)
• Parakeet lovers in Roanoke will want to check out the Science Museum of Western Virginia's immersive Parakeet Garden exhibit, which allows visitors to feed and closely interact with 150 of these delightful little birds. (Facebook)

---

Loving the Roanoke Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

---

You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for 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.