Government and Politics - The Roanoke Rambler (Page 8)

Roanoke Mayor Voted To Parole Inmate Whose 2020 Release Spurred Investigations, Outrage

The news about Martin’s release prompted “a lot of adverse sentiment” including from “my chief police officer,” Lea said, according to records.

Politics

State Senate Race Heats Up As 3 Seek Democratic Party Nod in Roanoke Valley District

Roanoke City Council members Trish White-Boyd and Luke Priddy as well as political novice DeAnthony “DA” Pierce are running.

Feature

When Jimmy Carter Came To Roanoke

The Carter family recently revealed that the former president, now 98 years old, is receiving hospice care at his home in Georgia.

Politics

Longtime Roanoke Valley State Sen. Edwards To Retire — Leaving Democrats Scrambling and Republicans Salivating

Roanoke City Council members Joe Cobb and Luke Priddy did not rule out running for the Roanoke Valley seat.

Education

Despite Improvements, Roanoke Schools Contractor Durham Missed Marks on Late Buses

Durham hit only one of the district's five benchmarks in time, according to data provided last week to The Rambler.

Policing

Judge Tosses Some Claims from Roanoke Police Lt. Alleging Department Retaliated After She Complained of Harassment

A lieutenant alleges police brass sidelined her and denied her promotions because she complained about harassment within the department.

Labor

Roanoke Bus Drivers Ratify Union Contract with Valley Metro After Rare Picket

Union members and management at Valley Metro hope the new contract, with a starting salary of $18.15 an hour, will attract new drivers.

City Hall

Roanoke Has A New Way For Residents and Businesses To Pay Taxes Online. Here's What You Need To Know.

You have questions. We have answers.

City Hall

Roanoke To Name Kennedy Park After Late Neighborhood Icon Estelle McCadden

McCadden founded the Melrose-Rugby Neighborhood Forum in the early 1990s as a way for residents to address problems plaguing the neighborhood.

City Hall

Dozens Serving on Roanoke City Citizen Boards Don't Live in Roanoke City, Data Show

While Black residents are well represented, Roanoke's citizen panels have few Hispanic and Asian members.

City Hall

'Friends of Mountain View' Seeks To Restore Roanoke's Historic Fishburn Mansion

A nonprofit is raising funds for the city-owned Fishburn Mansion, which needs as much as $2 million in repairs.

Legal

City Did Not Defame Roanoke Police Officer In Describing 'End Racism Now' Mural, Judge Rules

Sgt. Jason Hicks alleged the city's description of a mural implied he was fueled by racism when he fatally shot a Black man in 2009.

City Hall

A Roanoke Boxing Gym Wants To Renew Its Lease in An Old Fire Station. So Why Has the City Put Its Building Up For Bid?

“There’s been a lot of misinformation going around concerning our program,” said the president of the Melrose Athletic Club.

Arts

Henrietta Lacks Statue Concept Unveiled at Roanoke Plaza Named in Her Honor

The Black woman’s statue is to be erected where an obelisk dedicated to Confederate general Robert E. Lee used to stand across from city hall.

Development

After 5 Years and 3 Proposals, Roanoke City Council Approves Fralin Development on Brandon

Council members said the need for more housing trumped neighbors' concerns about traffic and the environment.

City Hall

City Agrees To Sell Fishburn Park Cottage, Land To Roanoke Couple Proposing Coffee Shop

The fate of the dilapidated caretaker's cottage has been a point of contention over the years.

Education

‘We Are Happy To Fire Durham’: Roanoke School Leaders Vexed Over Late Buses As Board Nixes School Time Changes This Year

The school board rejected a proposal that would change schools' schedules to accommodate late buses.

Development

Contentious Fralin Development To Go Before Roanoke City Council With Panel's Approval

Roanoke’s planning commission said the city should rezone the Brandon Avenue property for 29 townhomes.