Orange Avenue improvements, USDA Summer Food Service Program and more news happening today

Good morning!

Here’s a look at some of the stories we’ll be following today as they make headlines across Southwest Virginia:

• The Lynchburg Public Library’s Downtown Branch will reopen at 10 a.m. to the public after being closed due to COVID-19. The hours will be Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To celebrate the reopening, the Downtown Branch will host weeklong programs and activities for people of all ages.
• Several considerations will be discussed in the Danville City Council Meeting tonight at 7 p.m. Among many ordinances, the council will look at an ordinance amending and re-ordaining part of the Danville City Code to increase personal property tax on airplanes from 30 cents per $100 of assessed value to 69 cents per $100 of assessed value, effective January 1, 2023. Several budget appropriations will also be discussed including an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2022 budget appropriation ordinance to provide for a grant from the state for a Victim Witness Program in the amount of $177,083. Danville City Council will then go into a work session at 7:30 p.m. to discuss concerns about the Long Mill Dam.
• Starting today, Roanoke Parks and Recreation is participating in the USDA Summer Food Service Program, which will provide meals free of charge to children on a first-come, first-serve basis. Between now and Aug. 12, from noon to 1 p.m., meals will be served at the following locations.
  • Indian Rock Village
  • Jamestown Place
  • Landsdowne Park
• Roanoke City Council will have two meetings today at City Hall. One meeting will take place at 2 p.m., where a briefing will take place on improvements to Orange Avenue and on ARPA funds. The second meeting will take place at 7 p.m. about the personal property tax rebate. The city will also discuss the $18.1 million surplus this fiscal year, which they are appropriating to various funds.
• The Franklin County Board of Supervisors will meet to discuss several issues including an ordinance approving Franklin County’s Local Voting Precincts. The meeting is taking place in Rocky Mount at 1:30 p.m.
• Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors will have a work session starting at 4:30 p.m. They will have another meeting starting at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Chatham.
• Attorney General Jason Miyares is set to address the 79th American Legion Boys State. That address will take place at Radford University at 1:30 p.m.

Have a great Tuesday!