🌱 Attorney Advocates Renaming Poff Building + New Opera Roanoke Show

Hey, everybody! It's Thursday in Roanoke and I'm back with a new edition of the Roanoke Daily. I realized I forgot yesterday's THIS WEEKEND section, so I'll correct that today and also cover:

• An update on former councilman's case
• A Roanoke startup debuts first production
• More transport problems in Roanoke City

Let's do it!

But first, today's weather:

A morning thunderstorm.

High: 73 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. More than 25 buses in the Roanoke City School District were reported late on Tuesday morning — many by more than 30 minutes — as the district's transportation contractor, Durham School Services, continues to struggle amid a nationwide bus driver shortage. At a school board meeting Tuesday night, representatives of the company said they need 150 bus drivers to function at full capacity but are currently understaffed by 35 percent. In an effort to attract drivers they've offered an $2 per hour increase and increased bus aide's pay to $15 per hour, but the problems persist, including several drivers saying their paychecks have been late. School board members stressed to the representatives that communication was a key factor. "The biggest way to keep the community at ease is being transparent with communication and that’s all across the board from parents to administration to even our students," said board member Michael Cherry. (WDBJ, WSLS)
2. Opera Roanoke is partnering up with venue The Spot on Kirk to offer the second in a series of shows deemed a poetry and music mashup. 'A Way With Words' will be held on Oct. 20 at the downtown venue at 7 p.m. and is subtitled 'The Leap Chronicles.' Artists will "explore what it means to 'take the leap' toward new challenges, new opportunities, and new beginnings," said the Roanoker in a recent write-up. Featured artists include Bryan “Harvest Blaque” Hancock, Nick George, Rebecca Cummings Scales, Olivia Rominiyi, and Dr. Gregory Thompson on piano. Tickets are $20 and are on sale now at the opera's website. (Roanoker)
3. Last week I reported on a Virginia Court of Appeals ordering a lower Roanoke court to set bond for embattled former City Councilman Robert Jeffrey Jr., which would offer him an avenue to being released from prison where he has been held since his sentencing. Jeffrey's attorney argued that the lower court abused its discretion, and that Jeffrey should remain free while he pursues his appeals and a three-judge panel agreed 2- 1. But the prosecutors in the case successfully argued later in the week that the panel was not unanimous and that the ruling offered a lack of detail. "In what manner did the trial court abuse its discretion or upon what statute or case was such determination made? There’s a diversity of opinion among members of the court that should be settled for the benefit of the parties herein and all criminal litigants in Virginia," wrote Sheri Mason, an assistant commonwealth’s attorney. As a result, officials canceled a scheduled hearing for Jeffrey while the entire 17-member court of appeals reviews the earlier ruling. (Roanoke Times)
4. A Roanoke startup will unveil its first production at the Roanoke Go Outside Festival this weekend in downtown Roanoke. Wombat Camper is a brand-new company, founded by Brad and Julie Meilak, that designs and manufactures high end, overland-style tow behind campers for the offroad market. Their first prototype, appropriately called The Wombat, will be on display this weekend and the owners are hoping to attract attention from the tens of thousands of avid outdoors people expected to attend the festival. "It's going to appeal to anybody who wants to get out there and travel, and get out into the backcountry as well, because we have a steel-framed chassis with lots of clearance and an independent suspension, so it's made to go off the road," said Julie Meilak. (WFIR, Wombat Camper, Roanoke GO Fest)
5. Roanoke attorney John Fishwick is championing the renaming of Roanoke's Poff Federal Building on Franklin Road because it was named after Richard H. Poff, a U.S. Congressman in the 1950s and 60s who supported segregation. The Poff Building is currently home to the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Attorneys’ office, General Services Administration, and the Veterans Administration. In a letter to area lawmakers asking them to introduce legislation for the renaming, Fishwick has proposed naming the building in honor of civil rights attorney Reuben E. Lawson who filed Southwest Virginia's first desegregation lawsuit that ultimately led to ending segregation in the region. "A federal courthouse is where our citizens go to vindicate their rights and it should be named after someone who reflected that principle," Fishwick said in a news conference Tuesday. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

• “Women Entrepreneurs of RAMP'' by the Ladies Who Launch Speaker Series (Noon)
• TRACK trail ribbon cutting at Washington Park (4 p.m.)
• Fall Harvest Festival at Morningside Urban Farm (5:30 p.m.)
• Holistic Chamber of Commerce meeting at Lydia’s Italian Kitchen (6:30 p.m.)

This Weekend in Roanoke (Better late than never, right? ):

• GO Fest by Roanoke City Parks and Recreation and Roanoke Outside (Friday @ 5 p.m.)
• KISS America at Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges (Friday @ 6 p.m.)
• Banff Mountain Film Festival (Friday @ 6:30 p.m.)
• Dinosaur Expedition and Safari Encounter at the Berglund Center (Saturday @ 8 a.m.)
• First Bank Fall 5K & 10K Run starting at Central Academy Middle School (Saturday @ 9 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department: "We love to start the morning off by recognizing the good deeds and hard work of our officers! Please help us congratulate Investigator R. Brady, who was awarded a Letter of Commendation this morning." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Botetourt County Sheriff's Office: "Hello Eagle Rock! I was bopping over to Maw & Paw's Diner to see if Randall would make me one of his famous burgers when I got picked up on Second Street. I have been taken to the RCACP Shelter. Do you know my family? Please share! XOXO." (Botetourt County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Did you know that the wonderful Mrs. Charlsie is now a Librarian III and the Main Library Branch Manager? She has been an essential part of the Roanoke Public Libraries team since 2010 and we can't wait to see the amazing things she will do!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, fourth and fifth grade students at Morningside Elementary School enjoyed their virtual trip to Mexico with Ms. Moran in Spanish class!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "It’s a great time of year for a hike! With October being Virginia Wine Month, it’s an even better time for a hike and a visit to a nearby winery in Virginia’s Blue Ridge!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll see you tomorrow morning!

— 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com