Henri Gendreau - The Roanoke Rambler

Roanoke Sues Residents Who Cut Down City-Owned Trees

It’s a rare case for the city to bring to court. In recent years, Roanoke has tried to protect and expand the city’s tree canopy.

City Hall

Powers Sworn In on Roanoke City Council After Council Reverses Earlier Deadlock

The swearing-in capped an intense lobbying campaign to fill the rest of Mayor Joe Cobb’s City Council term.

Politics

As Roanoke City Council Deadlocks Over Filling Vacancy, Judge Says 'It's a Shame'

Roanoke’s political and legal establishment is reeling after a deadlocked City Council said it couldn’t agree on who should become its seventh member.

Transportation

Roanoke's Valley Metro Bus System Still Struggles with Financial Issues, Audit Finds

Problems persist one year after an external audit unearthed issues that could imperil funding and services if not addressed.

Food

After Being Served, Roanoke Restaurants Settle Tax Bills

Recent crackdowns on Roanoke restaurateurs have resulted in an influx of owed taxes to the city, plea deals and dropped criminal charges.

City Hall

Roanoke To Defend Against 2 Lawsuits Alleging Toxic Workplace Under Ex-Leaders

The lawsuits could shed further light on a drama that gripped Roanoke city hall last year, when claims of a toxic workplace preceded the city manager’s resignation.

Politics

Appointee to Roanoke City Council To Determine Fate of Single-Family Zoning Reforms

Battle lines are being drawn over who will fill the remaining two years of Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb’s vacant City Council seat.

City Hall

Roanoke Aims To Seize, Sell Downtown Parking Garage Plagued By Tax, Code Issues

The parking garage beside the Amtrak platform has been closed since April, when city officials deemed the structure unsafe.

City Hall

'Council Isn't Immune': Property Values Are Rising. Here's How Much Elected Leaders' Homes Went Up.

Roanoke property owners are seeing an average 8 percent increase in their real estate tax bills this year, a historically high but downward-trending assessment.

Outdoors

Roanoke Valley Greenway Coordinator Resigns, Saying He Felt Stymied by Governments

“I’ve gotten kind of frustrated by the level of locality cooperation,” Frank Maguire, who's been in the role since 2021, said.

Housing

Affordable Housing Complex Proposed For Rescue Mission Land in Southeast Roanoke

Developers propose building a 155-unit apartment complex at the entry of Southeast Roanoke from downtown.

Letter

Letter From the Editor: We're Hiring a Managing Editor To Advance Our Journalism

This journalist will be a critical member of our team, overseeing and reporting journalism that informs the community and holds the powerful accountable.

City Hall

Roanoke Botched Funding for After-School Contractor, Lost Out on Grant Money, Audit Finds

The city failed to budget enough money for youth programs run by The Foundry, leading to discord and lost revenue, an audit found.

Letter

Letter From the Editor: We're Hiring a Segregation Reporter Thanks to Report For America

Report For America has selected The Rambler as a 2025 host newsroom to bring a segregation reporter to Roanoke.

Arts

Roanoke's Black History Museum Plans To Leave Downtown for Melrose Plaza

Center in the Square was not planning on renewing the Harrison museum’s same lease, which is up in 2026.

Development

New Life Proposed for Walker Foundry Land in Apartments, Restaurant, Pickleball Courts

Apartment complex, restaurant and pickleball courts could forge a new community in Roanoke’s Norwich neighborhood.

City Hall

For City Manager, Roanoke Hires Northern Virginia Official with Background in Housing

Valmarie Turner, Fairfax’s deputy city manager, becomes Roanoke’s next city manager next month, replacing Bob Cowell.

Policing

Roanoke Gun Violence Rates Fall to Pre-Pandemic Levels, One Year into Police Chief's Tenure

“I found a department that was hungry for leadership,” Police Chief Scott Booth said about arriving in Roanoke a year ago.