Business

War on Retail? Radical Bookseller Opens Brick-and-Mortar in Roanoke

The pop-up bookstore trading in radical literature has opened a permanent shop in Roanoke's trendy west downtown area.

Development

Fishburn Park Coffee Shop Proposal Rejected by Council, Despite Prior Vote To Sell Land

In a surprising move, City Council voted against rezoning land for the business, despite agreeing earlier to sell the property for that purpose.

Investigation

Roanoke’s Iconic Neon Star May Need To Be Demolished, Replaced, City Records State

City leaders say any wholesale changes to the Star, which was erected in 1949, will only come after extensive community engagement.

Letter

Letter From the Editor: Check Out Our Award-Winning Journalism of 2022

The Rambler earned six awards from the Virginia Press Association for coverage in 2022.

Homelessness

Roanoke Chamber Opposes Plan Moving City Homeless Aide Office To Amtrak Station Site

The city still plans to provide some sort of Amtrak station in the 4,000 square-foot building, which can contain other tenants.

City Hall

How Roanoke's Proposed $355-Million Budget Came Together — And What Didn't Make the Cut

Sometimes called “a moral document,” a city’s budget may be its most important plan and one on which citizens can have a direct impact.

Neighborhoods

Gainsboro Residents Urge City To Focus on Present Housing Stock Over Future Hub

Residents expressed confusion and criticism over a report aimed at guiding the long-neglected neighborhood’s revitalization.

Homelessness

From Parks to Parking, Roanoke City Is Spending More — To Crack Down on Homelessness

The city has directed more funds to less typical agencies now tasked with cracking down on an influx of people living outdoors.

Abortion

Roanoke City Council Had a Pro-Choice Resolution Drafted. It Never Saw the Light of Day.

Some residents had called on Council to adopt the largely symbolic measure after the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe vs. Wade.

City Hall

E-Scooter Parking Planned for Downtown Roanoke As Blocked Sidewalks Remain a Constant

Plans for the parking corrals come about a year after officials had hoped to bring the matter before City Council.

Transportation

Spotty Greyhound Bus Service Leaves Riders Stranded in Roanoke Overnight

The situation emerged as Greyhound has cut services nationwide, including plans to staff and operate a bus station in Roanoke.

Investigation

Roanoke Built a Standalone Station for Greyhound. The Bus Company Won’t Occupy It.

While Greyhound still provides bus service to and from Roanoke, the company no longer intends to operate the station especially built for it.

Addiction

Fallout from Opioid Crisis Sparks New Interest in Ancient Practice: Acupuncture

As the opioid epidemic rages, an increasing number of patients are seeking alternatives to painkillers.

Development

Residents Near Roanoke's Evans Spring Say 'No Development.' The Property Owners and City Have Other Ideas.

“The ‘no development’ option is not really an option that’s on the table,” a city official says.

Letter

Letter From the Editor: Shift in Business Model Brings Free Newsletter, Local Sponsorships

Starting this week, most of our stories will be freely accessible. Sign up on our homepage to get our newsletter free.

Policing

Roanoke Names Police Chief Sam Roman As New Assistant City Manager in Latest Agency Shake-Up

The appointment of a police chief to a top city management role is an unusual move.

Gun violence

Roanoke City Idea To Expand Youth Curfew Met with Small, Lukewarm Response

Roanoke City Council is weighing whether to enforce a more stringent youth curfew in an attempt to prevent shootings.

Criminal justice

Roanoke Mayor Voted To Parole Inmate Whose 2020 Release Spurred Investigations, Outrage

The news about Martin’s release prompted “a lot of adverse sentiment” including from “my chief police officer,” Lea said, according to records.