🌱 Dr Pepper Park Acoustic Series + Famous Anthony's Closes Brookside

Hello, fine folks of the 'noke! It's time for the Friday edition of the Roanoke Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's happening locally — including updates on:

• Vinton apartment fire deemed accidental
• Roanoke City Sheriff's Office chosen for community engagement cohort
• Contractors are at work on old GE plant in Salem

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny; breezy, cooler. High: 64 Low: 35.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in Roanoke? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue was called to the scene of an apartment fire shortly before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night and arrived to find smoke emanating from a two-story building at the corner of S. Pollard Street and E. Virginia Avenue. The property is a home that was converted into two apartments and the cause was determined to be improperly discarded cigarette and smoking materials. No injuries were reported, the tenant in the second-floor apartment was displaced, and the damages are estimated to be about $10,000. (WDBJ)
2. The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office has announced that its agency is one of a few to be selected to take part in the Law Enforcement Community Engagement Network, described as a resource to help officers and deputies learn specialized community engagement skills. The program is put on by MovementForward, Inc. who are dedicated to finishing the work of Dr. Martin Luther King by providing innovative, inclusive, and solution-focused advocacy via another generation of change agents who are committed to the peaceful, nonviolent tradition of social activism, according to their website. Roanoke City deputies said the hope is that the 2023 program, which is the first, will help build a template to serve not on the Roanoke Valley, but law enforcement agencies all over the nation. (WSET)
3. Dr Pepper Park at The Bridges and The Bank of Botetourt have announced a brand-new series of concerts coming to Roanoke — The Amped Up/Acoustic Series. The series will feature artists from both the country and rock genres beginning with country artist Jackson Dean on May 31. Dean's hit single 'Don't Come Lookin' is featured on at least two popular soundtracks, including the Yellowstone series, has over 70 million streams, and has appeared on the Billboard country radio charts. Also partnering with the venue and the bank to help promote the series are WSLC 94.9 Star Country and WZZU The Rock Channel. "This will be Jackson’s second appearance at Dr Pepper Park. He opened for the Cadillac Three in 2021. His music has gained a lot of momentum and we are excited to welcome him back to the Roanoke Valley!" said Waynette Anderson, Dr Pepper Park president and founder. Tickets can be purchased here. (Roanoke Times)
4. Construction is happening at the old General Electric plant located at the corner of Roanoke Boulevard and Electric Road. General Electric closed the plant in December 2019, and it has sat vacant ever since. City of Salem officials and others involved in the project have remained tight lipped about the identity of the new manufacturing facility, but contractors are said to be adding over 32,000 square feet to the already sizable building. The building was opened in 1955 and employed over 3,500 people at its peak, but only 265 workers were impacted by the closing showing just how far operations had been pared down by that time. (WSLS)
5. Famous Anthony's has announced the temporary closing of its Brookside location on Williamson Road. Officials at the family-owned restaurant chain said the closing was due to staffing issues and that they would be reopening the facility as soon as possible, but the move comes on the heels of the closure of the chain's only Lynchburg location on Feb. 12 and amid the ongoing lawsuits regarding a Hepatitis A outbreak traced to three of the locations, including the closing Brookside restaurant. A $14 million dollar settlement was announced earlier this year with plaintiffs of about 2/3rds of the lawsuits, but is still being worked on by medical claims examiners before any money is dispersed. (WFXR)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Roanoke Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99 percent of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Roanoke Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Roanoke:

• Coffee Club Walk/ Run with RunAbout at Chris’s Coffee Custard (8:30 a.m.)
• Write Stuff Workshop at the Mill Mountain Theatre (6:30 p.m.)
• Jesse Ray Carter Duo at Big Lick Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at the Berglund Center (7 p.m.)
• Glory Denied: A New Opera by Opera Roanoke at Jefferson Center (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Jennifer McFarling has received the Veterinary Service Award from the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association! This award honors an individual who has been an excellent representative of the profession through active community involvement and/or veterinary service. This includes involvement in veterinary and/or non-veterinary groups and associations." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Congratulations to everyone who participated in the All City Science Fair last Thursday! We are so impressed with our students' creativity and hard work. Here are some pictures that highlight just a few of the many incredible projects!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "'Um, I am ready for my close up!' says one of the many Eastern Box Turtles recovering at the Center this winter. This species of box turtle was listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as vulnerable after reviewers noticed a widespread and persistent decline over the last three generations of at least 32 percent decline." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Mark your calendars and prepare to shop! The French Farmhouse's Virginia Made Saturday Vendor Market is coming up this Saturday, Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and it's going to be a good one!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (February 28)
• Add your event

Thanks for following the Roanoke Patch! Be sure to forward this newsletter to your friends, family, and even your enemies so they can sign up, too! I'll see you tomorrow morning for the Saturday 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