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🌱 Patch AM: How a Roanoke kindergartener ended up at the wrong apartment complex.

Make time for Understanding the Basics of Social Security on the Roanoke Patch calendar

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What's up Roanoke! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Roanoke kindergartener ended up at the wrong apartment complex.
  • What Roanoke riders gain from the new Valley View Walmart bus stop
  • How a Williamson Road lane change cut crashes by nearly 40%.

Also on today's calendar: Understanding the Basics of Social Security and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the Buffalo say when his son left? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 81 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 80, low: 57.
  • Tuesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 84 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Kindergartener temporarily lost following transportation miscommunication in Roanoke (wsls.com) — Roanoke parents and school officials are reacting after a Round Hill Elementary kindergartener, supposed to be a car rider, was mistakenly bused to Westwind Apartments near I-581 before staff intervened. Roanoke City Public Schools say the child was safe within minutes, personnel actions are underway, and new steps with contractor Zum aim to tighten bus and car-rider procedures.
   

2. A long, long time coming: Roanoke officials celebrate opening of new Walmart bus stop (roanoke.com) — Roanoke transit riders now have a long-awaited Valley Metro bus stop and shelters directly at the Valley View Walmart, making shopping trips easier for those who rely on public transportation. City leaders, advocates, and bus officials gathered Friday to celebrate the new stop, calling it a major quality-of-life improvement for residents who've pushed for better access for years.
   

3. Roanoke's Williamson Road Redesign Slashes Crash Rate, Heads Toward Permanent Status (theroanokestar.com) — A major safety pilot on Williamson Road in Roanoke has cut crashes by nearly 40%, and the city now plans to make the three-lane configuration permanent. Officials say travel times stayed about the same, while residents and businesses raised concerns about tight turn lanes, abrupt transitions, and bus stop placement that will be addressed during repaving this summer.
   

4. Cameras paused, programs halted and cables cut: The flock and license plate reader debate across Southwest Virginia (wsls.com) — Roanoke City is keeping its automated license plate readers running even after canceling a separate Flock gunshot-detection program that had devices installed in the wrong locations, raising privacy concerns among residents. The story compares Roanoke's approach with Lynchburg's pause of its cameras and a vandalism incident in Christiansburg, while Flock's CEO defends the technology and highlights new safeguards and regulations.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke

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📣 Roanoke Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • FYI: The City of Roanoke's Solid Waste Management team is experiencing delays in bulk and brush pickup due to the ongoing shortage of CDL drivers.
    As the Solid Waste Management Department works through these staffing issues, regular curbside trash and recycling collection has been prioritized. … (Nextdoor Greater Raleigh Court)
  • Dog found on Tennessee Ave in NW.
    Super friendly black lab, intact male. Has a yellow tag but no identifying information on it. Please message if this your pup! I cannot keep him… (Nextdoor Washington Heights)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Custodian (Open Until Filled) in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • Capstone Logistics, LLC posted a job opening for Warehouse Sanitation Associate in Roanoke. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Roanoke here.

Ok Roanoke! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bison! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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