By Debbie Adams
At their meeting on Oct. 7, Vinton Town Council members and Deputy Police Chief Tim
Lawless recognized Vinton Moose Lodge 1121 for its generous donation of $10,000 to assist the
department in purchasing a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) for the town. The donation makes up a
large portion of the cost of the vehicle.
town. Deputy Chief Tim Lawless is pictured with several members of the Vinton Moose and
Vinton Women of the Moose, along with council members. (photos by Debbie Adams)
“The UTV will become an invaluable part of how we serve our community,” Lawless said. “This
UTV will give our officers the ability to patrol and respond to emergencies on the town’s
greenways, areas that would otherwise be unreachable by a standard patrol car. It will also allow
us to move safely and effectively through closed streets during parades, festivals, and other
community events, ensuring that we can keep both our citizens and visitors safe while still being
engaged in the community.
“Your generosity has made a real and lasting impact. Your commitment to the safety and well-
being of our town means a great deal to every member of our department. We are proud to
partner with an organization like the Moose Lodge whose dedication to service mirrors our own.
Thank you for investing in our community.”
Moose Lodge Vice President Jeff Ramsey explained that the Moose is an international fraternal
and service organization with nearly 1 million members worldwide, dedicated to serving the
children and the elderly. The local lodge on Washington Avenue in Vinton has 743 members. In
2024, the lodge donated $249,000 to charities. The members provide funds for the schools in
Vinton— Herman L. Horn and W.E. Cundiff Elementary Schools, William Byrd Middle, and
William Byrd High School. This summer they sponsored the Kids Zone at the Mingle at the
Market concerts. Each year they host a Breakfast with Santa for children with special needs.
Diane Lafrancis from the non-profit Blood Connection thanked the police department and the
town for participating in Tuesday’s blood drive in the Municipal Building parking lot. She
described those who donated blood as “superheroes” giving of themselves. She lost her own child, who had required 100 transfusions over time. Mayor Brad Grose, Chief Fabricio
Drumond, and several police officers and employees participated. The blood donations are used
locally.
Town Manager Pete Peters congratulated Director of Planning and Zoning Anita McMillan and
Capital Projects Manager Jamie Hurt for the VDOT Local Programs Workshop Award they
received for the Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2B Project in the Environmental Excellence
category.
Manager Jamie Hurt received an award from VDOT for the Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2B
project. From left are: front row, Jamie Hurt, Mayor Brad Grose, Councilwoman Sabrina
McCarty, Anita McMillan; and back row, Councilman Mike Stovall, Vice Mayor Laurie
Mullins, Councilman Keith Liles, and Town Manager Pete Peters.
The project strengthened multimodal connectivity in filling a gap in the Glade Creek Greenway
network, connecting Gus Nicks Boulevard to Walnut and Virginia Avenues, which enhanced
linkages with the Tinker Creek Greenway and the Roanoke River Greenway. It also promoted
environmental stewardship by navigating complex environmental constraints, including the
presence of protected species and sensitive resources. According to McMillan, the grant for the
project was first received in 2019 with the greenway link dedicated in 2025.
Council members were briefed by Mandy Adkins, director of Cultural Placemaking and Events,
and Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Donna Collins on events coming up in
Vinton through the end of 2025.
Community events include:
- The Vinton Fall Festival on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Downtown Trick or Treat on Oct. 28 from 3 to 6 p.m.
- The Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m., followed by the annual Vinton
Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. - The Santa Crawl through Vinton’s neighborhoods on Dec. 9, with details to come
Collins announced plans for this year’s Veterans Day activities, on Nov. 1, dedicated to
recognizing and celebrating the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans. The activities
represent a collaboration between the Town of Vinton, local veterans’ organizations, and
community volunteers.
This year’s observance includes two major community events:
- Vinton’s second Vinton Veterans Day Ruck from 8:30 until noon, beginning at the High
Ground Monument at the Vinton War Memorial and open to all. Participants carry
rucksacks and walk four miles to symbolize the daily commitment and perseverance of
military members. Proceeds go to expanding the Field of Honor with the goal being to fill
the War Memorial lawn with flags. - Vinton’s third Field of Honor will run from 12:30 to 3 p.m. that same day with a patriotic
display of 300 American flags placed in honor of veterans, active-duty service members,
and fallen heroes. Flags may be purchased ($25) for placement on the field. Each flag
represents a story of service, sacrifice, and pride. Proceeds go to Disabled American
Veterans. The Vinton Police Dept. will provide lunch between the two events.
The Field of Honor dedication ceremony will be held on Nov. 6. For more information on the
veterans’ events visit https://vintonva.gov/fieldofhonor.
A public hearing was held next to consider public comments concerning proposed amendments,
transfers, and additional appropriations within the current budget for funding the town’s
multigenerational park project, HVAC replacements, generator equipment, alley maintenance, a
stormwater drainage project, furniture and fixtures, vehicle expenses, security expenses, and
contractual services totaling $1.34 million in the General Fund and Capital Fund.
Deputy Town Manager Cory Sexton briefed council on the specifics. With no public comments
presented, council unanimously adopted a resolution to appropriate the funding.
