Henri Gendreau - The Roanoke Rambler (Page 8)

Roanoke Police Department Has Suffered From Many Vacancies, Leadership Discord, Report Says

Report says police department must address why "some employees may be leaving the agency to escape a toxic work environment."

Policing

Despite Expanded Summer Youth Curfew, Roanoke Police Issued No Citations, Chief Says

Council advocated for an expanded curfew this summer to prevent youth from being the victims or offenders of gun violence.

Development

Goodwill Buys Roanoke Properties Around Burgeoning Melrose Plaza

Goodwill sees expansion potential in the properties that abut Melrose Plaza, but has not identified a specific use for the properties yet.

Neighborhoods

Roanoke City Struggles To Retain Neighborhood Liaison, With Fourth Hire in Five Years

Some who served in the position felt their advocacy for neighborhoods and residents conflicted with the city’s position on issues.

Education

Roanoke Schools Switch Up Bus Routes As Issues with Contractor Durham Persist

A driver for Durham said the school district’s routes “look perfect” on paper, but they don’t account for traffic, stop lights or other realities of the road.

Policing

Why Danville Police Chief Scott Booth Wants To Become Roanoke's Next Top Cop

Booth is a finalist for the position vacant since former chief Sam Roman became an assistant city manager in July.

Letter

Letter From the Editor: We're Hiring a Director of Revenue As We Celebrate Our Second Birthday

Google News Initiative has committed upwards of $80,000 so we can attract a candidate eager to help us achieve financial self-sufficiency.

City Hall

Roanoke Boxing Gym Puts Up Fight As City Seeks To Evict Club from City-Owned Building

Melrose Athletic Club, which runs Champ’s Gym, is in a legal battle with the city, which insists the group vacate a former Southeast Roanoke fire station.

City Hall

Roanoke City Council Refines Travel Policy As Members Spend Over Their Allotted Budgets

Council members say the spending isn’t extravagant — there’s just not enough money in each member's budget for travel.

Affordable Housing Proposed for Site of Downtown Roanoke's Former Homeless Aid Office

Developers propose spending as much as $8 million on a six-story building with 80 affordable apartment units, according to city records.

Education

Roanoke Planning Commission Approves Preston Park Elementary School Rezoning Despite Qualms

Pleading teachers convinced commissioners to approve designs that city staff say do not adhere to Roanoke's master plan.

City Hall

As Washington Park Swimming Pool Looms, Roanoke Residents, City Leaders Tussle Over Cottage

The sudden activism around the cottage prompted visible frustration among some city leaders and members of City Council.

Climate Crisis

Roanoke Council Moves To Fold Climate Change Action Into City's Master Plan

City Council disagreed whether to adopt the plan sooner as a standalone or to formally incorporate it later into the city’s master plan.

Policing

Roanoke Valley Police Have New Helpers Responding to 911 Calls: Mental Health Therapists

The Marcus Alert system, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020, went live last month in the Roanoke Valley.

Addiction

Drug Recovery Home Moves Into Longtime Roanoke Homeless Shelter That Shuttered

Trust House, which focused on veteran homelessness, has become a 26-bed halfway house from Anderson and Associates.

Neighborhoods

Roanoke Neighborhood Leaders Ousted Over Fishburn Park Cottage Brouhaha, Claim Removal Vote Was 'Unlawful'

Owen McGuire and Freeda Cathcart of the Grandin Court Neighborhood Association were removed in a 63-25 vote.

Ramblings

Ramblings: Roanoke County Schools Move on Trans Policy; Kayak Park Design Revealed; National Night Out Planned

What are Ramblings? Ramblings are a collection of short items that have caught our attention for one reason or another.

City Hall

Roanoke’s Equity Board Regroups After Departures, Controversy Left It Flailing

City Council’s advocacy against police reform laws sparked controversy and spurred some departures from the board.