🌱 New Roanoke Crime Statistics + WBHS Cadets Honor 9/11 Victims

Hello and happy Monday! Hopefully it's the start of a productive week for you. Let's take a look at some news while your coffee percolates and your brain wakes up a bit.

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First, today's weather:

Humid; maybe a stray afternoon thunderstorm.

High: 79 Low: 60.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. Longtime Roanoke resident and bluegrass genre mandolinist Herschel Sizemore passed away Friday at the age of 87. Sizemore was born in Alabama and known as a virtuoso when it came to the mandolin. He performed with legions of other bluegrass artists over the years including the Dixie Gentlemen, the Shenandoah Cut-Ups, the Dixie Pals, and the Bluegrass Cardinals and always took time to teach younger generations about his instrument of choice. Sizemore's most famous tune is called "Rebecca" after his mother and was released in 1993, having since been covered by many other artists and in jam sessions the world over. "There's no telling how many sessions have played "Rebecca" or how many more will or all of the other tunes you wrote, so many of them in the unusual key of B for a mandolin. It's yet another thing that set you apart and made people listen," said friend and fellow musician Mike Conner in a tribute to Sizemore on Facebook. (Roanoke Times, Facebook)
2. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke released two broad-winged hawks on Friday in Salem's Green Hill Park. The hawks are known for being particularly sensitive and for easily damaging critical feathers. Officials at the center said the hawks came to them from the Roanoke area in late June and that they needed to send them elsewhere for treatment because they require larger facilities than what the center has at present. SVWC Director of Operations Haley Olsen-Hodges, who was present when the hawks were released, said, "Without a proper aviary to keep them in, it is essential that we release them as soon as possible once they've been returned to us." (WSET)
3. The community joined with Roanoke City and Roanoke County Firefighters and other agencies around the valley on Saturday for the 8th Annual Roanoke 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in which participants climbed 110 flights of steps to honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001. The climb took place at Roanoke's Wells Fargo Tower, which only has 22 floors and meant that climbers had to go up and down five times to achieve the 110 flights needed to signify the floors of the twin towers. "Everybody's out today to remember and celebrate one of the greatest acts of courage and heroism in recent history. Everyone just really appreciates when the public comes out and shows their support and this is a really great way to do it," said Rachel Hale of the Roanoke City Fire Department. (WSLS)
4. Police Chief Sam Roman with Roanoke City spoke this past week about the rising crime rate in the city and the amount of recent gun violence. Newly available data shows that the number of shootings in Roanoke has already surpassed the total number from last year and reveals that only five arrests were made in the sixteen homicide cases investigated in 2021. "I know what it feels like to grow up in an area latent with gun violence and other crimes that are occurring," he said. "A part from the process to reduce gun violence is making sure that we keep guns out of the hands of people who are not supposed to have guns." He went on to say that the job is a multi-faceted one and that he is working to collaborate with state and federal agencies. "It is also a legislative function, it's also a court function, as well as a law enforcement function, so if we are all working altogether in that ecosystem I think we can have success." (WFXR)
5. William Byrd High School students in the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps placed flags in front of the school last week in observance and honor of the 21st Anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks. Naval Science Instructor David Perrin, USN (retired) said, "Nearly 3,000 people were killed on that day, the single largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil. This year our William Byrd NNDCC cadets placed 2,977 flags in front of the school, which represents the souls lost on that tragic day." (Vinton Messenger)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Books & Beans Book Club presented by Book No Further at Little Green Hive (6:30 p.m.)
• Sunset Yoga at Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival in Buchanan (6:30 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department: "RPD was honored to participate in the Roanoke 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb this year. We have not forgotten the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 10 EMS who lost their lives that day. We thank them for their sacrifice." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Police Department: "Our SWAT team dedicated their Saturday to climbing 110 flights of stairs to remember and honor the fallen men and women who gave their all for the innocent victims of 9/11. "No Day Shall Erase You From The Memory Of Time" -Virgil" (Roanoke County, VA Police Department via Facebook)
• Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley: "We had a lovely dedication in SE this morning at 1019 Tazewell Avenue. The Muganza family is able to call this very special rehab their new home. A great big thank you to everyone who gave their support to help make this new home possible." (Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you tomorrow!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com