🌱 Authentic Jamaican Food Downtown + Gainsboro Hub Update

Hello again, everybody! I hope you all had a great Independence Day break. It's time to get back to it so here's a fresh edition of the Roanoke Patch newsletter with all the community news you need to know right now. In today's issue of the newsletter, we'll cover these stories and more:

• A homicide investigation is underway in Southwest Roanoke.
• July is Disability Pride Month.
• Contractors are close to completing the installation of Glo Fiber.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 90 Low: 69.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. A homicide investigation is underway in Southwest Roanoke after a man and a woman were found dead in an apartment on Brandon Avenue SW. The bodies were discovered on Monday evening, and the police are currently in the early stages of the investigation. The community is feeling unsettled due to the limited details available. Roanoke City Vice Mayor Joe Cobb urges anyone with information to share it with the police or city officials. The victims have not been identified, and no arrests have been made yet. The incident has created a sense of mystery and concern. Authorities are requesting anyone with information to contact the police via phone or text, ensuring anonymity. (WSLS)
2. July is Disability Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating the achievements of the disability community while highlighting the ongoing challenges they face. Disability advocates acknowledge the progress that has been made and emphasize the importance of recognizing small victories on a daily basis. Karen Michalski-Karney, executive director of the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, highlights the need for greater accessibility in Roanoke City and envisions it as the most accessible city in Southwest Virginia. She rates the current accessibility level at a five out of 10, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure improvements such as public transportation options and curb cuts on sidewalks. (WDBJ)
3. Contractors are close to completing the installation of Glo Fiber internet service in the Roanoke Valley. The parent company, Shentel, has already installed approximately 850 miles of fiber optic cable in the area, with about 250 miles of it being underground. However, in areas with underground utility lines, the process of restoring affected front lawns is still ongoing. This is particularly challenging in Roanoke County, where many parts have underground utilities, resulting in different circumstances compared to Roanoke City or Salem. Despite the installers leaving, the efforts to restore lawns in these areas is expected to continue for an extended period of time. (WFIR)
4. Reggae Grub is a Jamaican restaurant located in downtown Roanoke, known for its wide variety of authentic Jamaican food. The owner, Kevin Brown, describes cooking as an art and has decided to pursue his passion by opening Reggae Grub in Roanoke's City Market Building.
   Brown offers several traditional Jamaican dishes, many of which are recipes passed down from his mother and grandmother. To maintain authenticity, he emphasizes three key steps: pre-seasoning, marinating, and cooking for extended periods. While profitability is not his primary focus at the moment, he believes that by enjoying themselves and satisfying customers, the restaurant will eventually become profitable. (WSLS)
5. Roanoke has allocated $5 million in federal pandemic relief funds to revitalize the Gainsboro neighborhood by establishing a health care and small business development hub. However, the city's attempts to implement the project have not been successful thus far. Despite City Council's decision to allocate funds from the American Rescue Plan Act almost two years ago, no money has been used for the Gainsboro hub. Concerns are arising among residents that time is running out to spend the allocated funds, as the money must be under contract by December 2024. City officials are suggesting that the Gainsboro hub may deviate from its original vision. (Roanoke Rambler)

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Today in Roanoke:

Thursday, July 6

• The Kings with food vendor Schult’s Dogs at The Party in Elmwood Park (5:30 p.m.)
• Fresh from the Farm — Fruits of the Summer at Morningside Urban Farm (6 p.m.)
• 'Pulp Fiction' at the Grandin Theatre Summer Blockbuster series (7 p.m.)
• GOTE at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We've had an opening come up in our Summer Camp team and we're looking for a fun-loving childcare professional to fill it! The Summer Camp Counselor role is perfect for teachers on summer break, grad students, or others who are looking for a great working experience for the next four weeks." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Macaroni Kid Roanoke VA: "Only 10 days until the Sinkland Farms, LLC Sunflower Festival! It’s going to be beautiful and tons of fun!" (Macaroni Kid Roanoke VA via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! See you tomorrow morning for another 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