Roanoke's Planning Director Exits Amid High Vacancies, City Finances Generate Debate, Grits and Wine on Corner Booth Menu Jillian Papa is the latest manager to leave City Hall; the city's budget discussions ramp up; and Layla is back with her monthly food column.
Rambler Gets Data Center Info After Lawsuit, Huntingdon Gets Reprieve, Brittney Flowers' Journey Detailed in Our Q&A The Roanoke Rambler gets Botetourt data center water usage details; a dilapidated historic Roanoke property gets good news; Four Quadrants, One City returns.
On the Thrifting Scene in Roanoke, History Taking a Hit in the Roanoke Valley, Kathy Cohen Enters Council Race Roanoke is a secondhand store mecca; there's a brewing frustration over the fate of historic properties; the first challenger talks about her Roanoke City Council campaign.
School Empowerment Center Taken Off Cut List Amid Rancor, Orvis Sells Warehouse to Coke, Walmart Ends Bus Stop Impasse Roanoke school officials to leave Community Empowerment Center open; tariffs prompt Orvis to sell building for $29 million; Walmart to build bus shelter at Valley View.
A Trio of Data Centers Planned in Botetourt, City Gets $75,000 from Casino Developer, Corner Booth Serves Up Vinegar Pie Google plans almost a million square feet of data center space in Botetourt; Roanoke gets casino developer payment, mum on purpose; Corner Booth includes mobile coffee opening.
Civic Center Said to Need Help Casino or Not, Booth Talks ICE, City Crime, Gateless Parking Brings Different Opinions It is an interesting time for Roanoke's downtown from Campbell to Williamson; Roanoke's police chief answers Rambler questions; parking is gateless, still not free.
Clear-Cut Planned To Prepare Site Near Read Mountain, Reparations Reality Check, City Votes To Cut School Funding A substantial tree-cutting is part of an industrial site prep; city's ability to handle reparations at issue; Ramblings also include news on early political starts for 2027.
City May Buy Eyesore Garage, Judge Says Again Data Center Info Should Be Released, School Money Matters Bring Frustration The owner of a derelict downtown parking deck was fined; The Roanoke Rambler gets another favorable public information ruling; city council continues school money scrutiny.
A Ferris Wheel in Downtown Roanoke? Corner Booth Sizzles with 2026 Trends, Ramblings Include Another Municipal Exit Center in the Square is exploring a Ferris wheel attraction above the City Market; Layla Khoury-Hanold returns with her food column; Ramblings return, too.
Revered Roanoke Leader Sheila Umberger Retires, Nelson Harris Talks History — Good and Bad, Rambler's Top 7 Stories of 2025 Sheila Umberger's reading and food idea brought national attention; a former city mayor offers perspective; Roanoke County defamation finding was top-read story.
A Christmas Party with Meaning in Roanoke, Hollins Student Poems Bring Local Twist FEDUP brought joy to dozens this year whose lives have been affected by gun violence; The Roanoke Rambler sought literary contributions from Hollins University students.
Roanoke Hires Lobbyist Solely for Casino, Reparations Fund for Urban Renewal Floated, Top Leaders Exiting City Hall A Richmond-based firm has been working on Roanoke's pursuit of a casino for months; an urban renewal apology appears imminent; there's troubling turnover times at city hall.
Rasoul Explores Bid for Congress as Macy Responds, Zoning Debate to Enter 2026, Lawson's Name Disappears A potential race of sizable proportions is brewing; possible political implications enter zoning debate as time drags on; GSA deals with reinstalling Reuben Lawson's name.
Roanoke Casino Proceeding on 'Different Path,' Strip Club Gets Building Permit, Corner Booth Details Hot Stuff, Café Openings Roanoke's state legislative wish list process takes a turn; a Franklin Road 'gentleman's club' is on a path to reopen; our monthly food column returns with Mama Jean's take.
Market on Melrose's First Year Includes Challenges, Runway Plan Still Up in the Air, Mahuron Takes on Southeast Perceptions An extensive plan remains in place to try to ensure a Northwest grocery's survival; city, airport negotiate over land sale; I Heart SE's Jessica Mahuron offers candid thoughts.
Judge Sides with Rambler Over Data Center Info, Roanoke's Beth Macy Enters Politics, School Money Scrutiny Evolves A judge says data center details should be public, appeal is expected; author Beth Macy next story will be on the campaign; Roanoke schools brace for less money.
Roanoke Financial Skies Cloudy, Urban Renewal Apology Moves Ahead, Commission Says No to Valley View Treatment Clinic A money consultant gives a reality check on Roanoke's future; city council to receive planned urban renewal apology; a substance abuse clinic gets a planning commission no.
It's Lust or Bust for Strip Club, Hash Wins Saying He Didn't Need to 'Sling Mud,' Corner Booth Dishes Promissory News There's a plan to reopen a Roanoke strip club on Franklin Road; Rasoul and McNamara re-elected along with Hash; Layla Khoury-Hanold's food column returns.
