Henri Gendreau - The Roanoke Rambler (Page 9)

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.

Economy

Is Roanoke's Regional Tourism Group Doing Enough for City? Some on Council Wonder.

Roanoke City Council is revisiting its 10-year-old agreement with Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge.

Investigation

Drama Engulfed Virginia Children's Theatre As Roanoke Nonprofit Spent Beyond Means

“They were wanting to put on these big, lavish productions but not understanding the money that goes into that,” a former production manager said.

City Hall

Audit Finds Flaws in How Roanoke Handled Funding for Gun Violence Reduction

Roanoke has steered more than $2.5 million to a gang outreach team, the police department and grants for nonprofits and churches.

Neighborhoods

Roanoke's Plan For a Gainsboro Hub May Pivot As Clock Ticks on Pandemic Relief Money

Nearly two years after City Council earmarked American Rescue Plan Act funds for the idea, none has gone to a Gainsboro hub.

Education

Roanoke Schools, City Planning At Odds Over New Preston Park Elementary School Design

City planners say the school district’s current designs do not adhere to Roanoke’s comprehensive plan.

Climate Crisis

Roanoke Must Take Swift Action To Avoid Worsening Climate Change, City Plan Urges

The climate action plan says the community must cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2032.

Politics

White-Boyd Wins Democratic Primary To Face Suetterlein in Roanoke Valley Senate Race

Trish White-Boyd defeated Luke Priddy and "DA" Pierce to become the Democratic nominee facing Republican Sen. David Suetterlein in the fall.