🌱 Students Impact School Board + Package Thief Caught On Video

Happy Sunday, Roanoke! It's time for the Roanoke Patch newsletter — here to tell you what's happening locally. Let's motor!

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But first, today's weather: Cloudy, a shower; warmer. High: 65 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Patrick Henry High School senior Yolanda Joseph is one of two student representatives who are present at every Roanoke City School Board meeting and says she got started doing so because a visit to her school by two board members made an impression on her. "Mr. Cherry and Miss Saunders came to our school and they spoke to my class. I could really tell they had a passion for students and for school, and that was something I really wanted to be a part of, because people are really near and dear to my heart," she said. After graduating this coming spring Joseph plans to attend George Mason University and encourages her fellow students to take up where she leaves off by joining the school board in order to help continue making improvements for future students. (WDBJ)
2. A Roanoke resident has released a doorbell video of a thief stealing packages from her front porch disguised as a food delivery driver. Sarah Jennings lives on Yardley Drive in Northwest Roanoke and said, "It's a terrible feeling to have your stuff taken. It makes you feel violated and like you can't trust anybody. He had come up with a DoorDash bag — I guess trying to look less suspicious — and he just swiped the packages, got back in his car, and drove away." Jennings has filed a police report and has been told they are reviewing the case. In the meantime, the video shows the thief's face and car quite clearly so anyone with any information about the identity of the individual should call the Roanoke City Police Department. (WSLS)
3. A senior at William Fleming High School has started his own clothing brand — GameTime Clothing — to make money independently and help motivate others to follow their dreams and take a chance on themselves. Miles Wilson said, "I feel like my story and my brand has been able to shine a light on this part of the community. Showing that a Black kid who plays basketball with dreads and tattoos is not automatically a thug. He can be running a business just like (anyone) else. He can be smart and not what you typically think he is." Since getting started in 2020, Wilson has been able to reinvest the profits back into the business and grow the business from a room in his parents' house to a limited liability company selling clothing through its website. (WSET)
4. Supporters of turning Catawba Hospital into a state-of-the-art substance abuse disorder clinic are holding out hope that funds will be made available in the state budget to begin the process even after a bill introduced in the 2023 general assembly was paired down to a study and awarded less than $15,000. Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) who sponsored the initial bill said "This will be addressed in the budget. What I have is assurance from a lead conferee in the Senate that they will be addressing it that way [through the budget], as opposed to needing to fiddle with a bill." A study completed late last year put the price tag of the improvements that would be needed to the rural Roanoke County hospital at $147 million to $240 million. No time frame was given for the passing of a budget amendment. "All of us, though, want to get this done as soon as possible," Rasoul said. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Roanoke Bridal Expo at Hotel Roanoke (Noon)
• Fierce Films Festival presented by Mill Mountain Zoo at The Spot on Kirk (1 p.m.)
• Glory Denied: A New Opera by Opera Roanoke at Jefferson Center (2:30 p.m.)
• Girls' Night Out Pinball Tournament at the Roanoke Pinball Museum (6 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "A female Eastern Fox Squirrel was admitted after we suspect she was hit by a car and was almost unresponsive on arrival (see first two photos), but upon receiving fluids and medication she has improved and is bit perkier!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Meet the most recent graduates of the Roanoke Police Academy — Officer Germ, Officer Kline, Officer Tesdall, Officer Wagley, and Officer Viera. They will start their careers in the Patrol Bureau, and will be accompanied by a Field Training Officers." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Thank you to everyone who adopted pets last week, February 6-11. Happy Tails to Stormy, Achilles, Hercules, Nina, Nebula, Barbara, Rubble, Rascal, Mack, Lucy, Winnie, and Daisy who all went home! Pictured are a few of the happy families!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Shield Chap: "More pics from the police academy graduation today. Chaplain Potter had the opening prayer and Chaplain Stephenson shared a few thoughts before offering a closing prayer. Scarlett interacted with children and adults alike, before and after!" (Shield Chap via Facebook)
• Botetourt County: "Botetourt County Parks & Recreation and Botetourt County Libraries have launched a "quality of life survey". The survey aims to develop programs and initiatives for you, our community! Questions focus on your interests and types of activities." (Botetourt County via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— 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. To connect with Ian, you can visit him on Facebook and Instagram. He doesn't bite. Except on full moons.

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