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.

Politics

State Senate Race Heats Up As 3 Seek Democratic Party Nod in Roanoke Valley District

Roanoke City Council members Trish White-Boyd and Luke Priddy as well as political novice DeAnthony “DA” Pierce are running.

Environment

City Acknowledges 'Definite Overreach' After Clear-Cutting Roanoke Man's Native Garden

“There’s a lot of lessons to be learned here and we stand ready to be accountable for our part in it,” a city official said.

Politics

Longtime Roanoke Valley State Sen. Edwards To Retire — Leaving Democrats Scrambling and Republicans Salivating

Roanoke City Council members Joe Cobb and Luke Priddy did not rule out running for the Roanoke Valley seat.

Education

Despite Improvements, Roanoke Schools Contractor Durham Missed Marks on Late Buses

Durham hit only one of the district's five benchmarks in time, according to data provided last week to The Rambler.

Gun violence

Roanoke Started A Commission To Reduce Gun Violence. It’s Become A Political Lightning Rod.

“All I see is gun violence increasing in the Black neighborhoods,” Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds said.

Addiction

As Overdoses Spike in Roanoke Valley, Localities Must Decide How Best To Spend Opioid Settlement Money

Roanoke must decide by early May how it will spend roughly $575,000 it will receive by this summer, city manager says.

Housing

Roanoke Needs Thousands of Affordable Housing Units, Study Says. Why Does the City’s $7-Million Plan Promise 40?

Even with the record government investment, officials acknowledge it can only go so far to address Roanoke's affordable housing needs.