🌱 2023 Homicide Victims Identified + Two Franklin Co. Labs Abducted

Good morning, neighbors! It's the Roanoke Patch newsletter — here to impart knowledge and the occasional snarky remark about things happening locally. In today's issue, we'll cover these stories and more...

• Area senate bills survive crossover
• Salem VA exceeds expectations in homeless care
• Roanoke native murdered in Florida

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: A thick cloud cover. High: 60 Low: 40.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. The 2023 Virginia General Assembly session has reached its halfway point with each house having finalized its list of bills. The houses have now swapped bills with the House of Delegates sending the Senate over 500 bills and the Senate reciprocating with 600 bills. In the ginormous stacks are 16 bills sponsored by Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke) including SB 1020, which would make the Virginia Museum of Transportation a state agency and award it additional funding. Sen. Dave Suetterlein (R-Roanoke County) has nine bills that made the cut and will be presented before the House in coming days, including SB 1430 which seeks to lessen the barriers faced by students who are English language-learners. (Roanoke Times)
2. A couple in Franklin County are searching for their two black labs, Colby and Caleb, who were stolen from the area around Waid Park Disc Golf Course. The dogs' owner was out on a walk with them when they broke free of their leashes to chase a squirrel and were subsequently lured into what he described as an off-white Jeep Grand Cherokee by two unidentified men. "Colby and Caleb… they're our children, kind of. We have children, but they’re our babies right now. Having each of them, they’re brothers. We’re heartbroken someone would do something so evil," said Rhonda Michel, whose husband was walking the dogs at the time of the abduction. The two dogs are microchipped, and word has spread quickly in hopes of locating the two. If you have any information, please phone 540-483-3000. (WSLS)
3. The Salem VA Medical Center’s Homeless Program had the goal of housing 103 homeless veterans in 2022 and surpassed that goal by housing 125. The staff at the VA also helped those veterans and many others get connected with health care and jobs in hopes of keeping them off the streets in the future. "It means a lot. I can honestly say not only being a coordinator of this program, I am a strong believer that everyone deserves a place to call home,” said Tanyia Jones, supervisory Homeless Program coordinator at the Salem VA. Jones also offered thanks to other area nonprofits saying the VA's program wouldn't be possible without the support of organizations like Total Action for Progress, the Council of Community Services, and the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care. (WDBJ)
4. Roanoke City police have a made arrests in connection with each of the four homicides in the Star City in 2023 so far, but details have not been released identifying any of the victims. That changed with several indictments filed in Roanoke's Circuit Court earlier this week. The four victims are Michael Douglas Hancock, James Lee Moore Jr., Avianna Nicole Adams, and Christopher Ryan Sinram. Hancock and Moore were both found dead of gunshot wounds in residences in the northwest quadrant of the city, Adams was found unresponsive after injuries received in a domestic incident, and Sinram was shot and killed outside his home on Hunt Avenue NW. Four individuals were indicted for the crimes and cases will now move on to the plea and trial phases. (Roanoke Times)
5. A graduate of Northside High School and Virginia Tech, Jason Mullins, 50, was shot to death outside of a pub in St. Augustine, Florida last week. Authorities there said he was shot 10 times by a man he had words with both inside and outside the pub. 34-year-old Vance Wilkins was arrested on charges of second-degree murder after surveillance footage identified him as the shooter. "So many people have reached out from Roanoke and they’re just so bereaved and they can’t believe it," said Mullins' mother, Nancy Martin. "Even his friends here said when they heard it, they said, ‘not Jason, nobody would ever hurt Jason.'" Mullins funeral was held in St. Augustine on Wednesday. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Valentine’s Weekend Celebration at the Hotel Roanoke (6 p.m.)
• Phlegar Hill at Big Lick Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• The Steel Wheels at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (8 p.m.)
• Brews and Burlesque at Golden Cactus Brewing (8 p.m.)
• Kind Hearted Strangers at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department: "This Black History Month, we continue to celebrate those who have shaped the history of our department. Chief Atlas 'Joe' Gaskins was the first Black Chief of Police at the Roanoke Police Department. He joined RPD in 1998 and retired in 2010." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Audi spent some time with the 8B crew today. 🚒🐕 Being the Fire Station Foster is clearly a ruff job, but so far, she is doing great at it! 🐾" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Handsome! This is one of the many Red-tailed Hawks in our care including this one, who is in a flight pen regaining strength prior to release. This bird was unable to stand upon admission so getting to see her fly makes us SO happy!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We have several Kuranda Dog Beds available for purchase. These are very durable dog beds and are elevated off of the ground for more comfort. We love them, but we're switching to the aluminum Kuranda beds so they are more chew proof. We're asking $25 each. Stop by our front desk if you'd like to purchase one of these!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Sedalia Center: "Save the Date! 2023 Celtic Festival & Highland Games Saturday, March 25. Get your tickets today!" (Sedalia Center via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "The Winter Makers Market is this Saturday, Feb. 11 from 12 to 4 p.m. This is a perfect afternoon activity for you, your family, & friends to find some locally-made gifts for someone special!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)

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There you have it — thanks for following along! I'll see you tomorrow morning, bright eyed and bushy-tailed, and ready for the weekend!

— 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