Government and Politics - The Roanoke Rambler (Page 6)

Late Buses, Driver Shortages Persist As Roanoke School District Eyes New Contract

Hundreds of Roanoke school children still aren’t getting to class on time because of Durham School Services staff shortages, district says.

City Hall

New Roanoke City Law May Impact Panhandling. Just Don’t Call It Panhandling.

“I have ran out of patience with these people loitering and what they’re doing,” Mayor Sherman Lea said about those in street medians.

Policing

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.

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.

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.

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.

City Hall

Northwest Roanoke Residents Weigh In on Scaled-Back Eureka Park Recreation Center Upgrade

Roanoke is planning a $13 million upgrade of the recreation center, the largest spending project the parks department has ever undertaken.

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.

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.

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.

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.