Henri Gendreau - The Roanoke Rambler (Page 18)

Outcry Over Video of 2016 Fight at Salem High School Renews Focus on Principal's Actions

Principal's intervention in the fight fractured a rib of a 14-year-old with special needs, according to the family.

Morale At Salem City Schools At 'All-Time Low,' Record Says, As Teachers Point To Toxic Climate Under High School Principal

Former and current teachers describe a toxic work environment under the leadership of High School Principal Scott Habeeb

Addiction

Proposal to ‘Reimagine’ Catawba Hospital Points To Need For More Addiction, Mental Health Care

A proposal from Del. Sam Rasoul would study how a transformed Catawba Hospital could expand into addiction treatment.

LGBTQ

New LGBTQ Nonprofit Aims To Bring Pride To Southwest Virginia

A new nonprofit aims to unify the region’s LGBTQ community through year-round Pride festivities and educational programs.

Homelessness

Roanoke Homeless Pushed To Periphery, Shelters As Ban on Downtown Camping Takes Effect

A new city law has sent people who sleep outside in downtown Roanoke into shelters — and other parts of the city.

Environment

'Worst I've Ever Seen': Plastics Choke Roanoke River As City Bag Fee Encourages Alternatives

A plastic bag fee that went into effect this year is one of the ways Roanoke City is trying to reduce plastic waste.

Letter

Letter From the Editor: Our 'Thirdly' Financial Report and a Preview of Website Changes

My letter today focuses on our first “thirdly” financial report, and previews some forthcoming website changes

Economy

'You're Lucky If One Shows Up To An Interview': Roanoke Valley Restaurants Among Hardest Hit By Pandemic-Era Labor Shortage

In the Roanoke Valley, the struggle to find workers — particularly in food services — has led to inconveniences small and significant.

Climate Crisis

From Flooding to Home Repairs, Here’s How Virginia’s Intent to Leave Carbon Cap and Trade Program Could Affect Roanoke

Funding for low-income home repairs may be harder to come by if Virginia pulls out of regional carbon cap-and-trade market.

Politics

Race for Roanoke City Council Already Underway As Retiring Incumbent Ensures A New Face

Candidates are preparing for next year’s City Council race as Councilman Bill Bestpitch’s retirement ensures the election of at least one new face.

Investigation

Groups Paid for Ads in Roanoke Councilman's Magazine. He Won't Say If They Were Printed.

Some businesses paid for ads for October and November issues. Jeffrey refuses to say whether the magazine printed those months.

City Hall

From Tiny Homes to Solar Panels, Changes to Roanoke's Zoning Code Could Have Wide Impact

Whether you’re looking to build a tiny house or install solar panels on your roof, Roanoke City just made it a little easier.

Addiction

Millions of Dollars To Fight Opioid Epidemic Are Heading To Roanoke. Will It Be Enough?

For decades, painkillers flooded the Roanoke Valley as part of a push by pharmaceutical companies that helped fuel a nationwide opioid epidemic.

Environment

Map of Air Pollution Data Shows Higher Cancer Risk Around Radford Army Ammunition Plant

People living near the Radford Army Ammunition Plant have an increased lifetime cancer risk, according to a new report of air pollution data.

Coronavirus

From Healthcare To Government, Roanoke's Top Employers Refrain From Vaccine Mandates, For Now

Without mandates, several local governments and businesses simply don’t know — or won’t say — how many workers are protected from the virus.

Gun violence

Roanoke Seeks Community Help As City Tackles Crisis Worsened By Pandemic: Gun Violence.

Roanoke has seen an uptick in shootings over the last year, even higher than in 2020, when effects from the pandemic fueled a nationwide rise in violence.

Politics

Voter Turnout Increased in Roanoke. But the City Lags Behind the Rest of Virginia.

Last week’s election prompted a record number of Roanokers to cast ballots for governor. But the city's turnout rates lags behind most localities in Virginia.

Politics

Scandals swirling around current, former Democratic candidates shake reliable Roanoke voters

“I almost voted for him, but I didn’t,” a voter said about Melvin Hill, the Democratic nominee for Commonwealth's Attorney, who owes federal tax debts.