🌱 Blindhouse Beer Company Opens + EPA Investigates Roanoke River

Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your fresh copy of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Let's get this Saturday started off right, with a quick look at what's going on in town. In today's issue, we have these stories and more...

• Community celebrates Oak Grove Park improvements.
• Shootout after home invasion in Roanoke.
• City leaders butt heads over gun violence.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Warmer with periods of sun. High: 74 Low: 55.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Blindhouse Beer Company, a new brewery specializing in French-Belgian farmhouse-style brewing with wild yeast, has opened on Salem Avenue in downtown. The owners, Tyler and Nicole Wert, plan to focus on this specific style of brewing, and have already had a successful opening weekend. Currently, three beers are on tap, with a fourth set to be released soon. “We also incorporate a portion of wild yeast, so yeast that was captured from the environment to lend a unique character to the beer,” said Tyler Wert. You can find out more about Blindhouse Beer Company here. (WSLS)
2. Roanoke County's Oak Grove Park underwent a complete transformation in six months, funded entirely by the American Rescue Plan Act. The improvements included a new playground, pickleball courts, restroom facilities, paved trail improvements, a nature trail, picnic shelter, new trees, and parking spaces. “These improvements are an example of us listening to the community and being able to turn this park into a new and improved place for folks to recreate in the outdoors,” said Alex North, marketing and administrative coordinator for Roanoke Parks. The community gathered to celebrate the improvements and the 151st anniversary of Arbor Day. Oak Grove Elementary School students and the Virginia Department of Forestry helped with the celebration. Roanoke County has been a Tree City USA Community through the Arbor Day Foundation for 25 years. (WDBJ)
3. The Environmental Protection Agency has taken its first enforcement action against The Chemours Company, which for seven years shipped industrial equipment to ProChem in Elliston for cleaning. The EPA is investigating the release of wastewater containing GenX into the South Fork of the Roanoke River. Chemours uses GenX in their manufacturing process of fluoropolymers, which are used in consumer products such as non-stick cookware. GenX has been linked to health problems and is considered a forever chemical, meaning it lingers in the environment for years. “This order demonstrates that EPA will take action to safeguard public health and the environment from these dangerous contaminants,” said Adam Ortiz, the EPA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. Exact details of the action were not released. (Roanoke Times)
4. A suspect forced his way into a home in the 1600 block of Gilmer Avenue NW in Roanoke and started shooting. The people inside the home shot back, and the suspect fled. Later, a man with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds arrived at LewisGale Hospital and was identified as the suspect. The suspect is being treated in the hospital, and no charges have been filed yet. It was later determined by officers that the suspect and the owner of the home know each other, and that the incident was not a random act of violence. (WDBJ)
5. Roanoke City Mayor Sherman Lea believes the city council is doing everything possible to address gun violence, but Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds disagrees. Moon Reynolds blames City Manager Bob Cowell for not bringing enough solutions forward for council to vote on and claims Cowell's plans are too broad and lack details, relying only on the American Rescue Plan for funding. Cowell has denied an interview and Mayor Lea said there are no plans to remove him. Moon Reynolds wants a discussion between council and Cowell to clarify expectations. Both Cowell and Vice-Mayor Joe Cobb released statements on the matter. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Love Thy Neighbor Walk at Loudon Avenue Christian Church (10 a.m.)
• Little Kids Balance Bike Rodeo at Vic Thomas Park (10 a.m.)
• 68th annual Vinton Dogwood Festival at the Vinton Farmers Market (10 a.m.)
• Downtown Food and Cultural Tour hosted by Tour Roanoke (11 a.m.)
• Charissa Joy and The High Frequency at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "I just can't wait to be fed! This young Virginia opossum decided to lick the lid of the formula container clean while one of our staff rehabbers was getting ready to feed this baby opossum!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Happy National Bring Your Kid to Work Day! For Detective D. Underwood, it’s always National Bring Your Kid to Work Day — his son, Community Resource Officer J. Underwood, also works at RPD." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Mochi's beauty is undeniable and although she's still acclimating to the shelter, we think she would be a wonderful addition to a lucky family. She enjoys attention and REALLY loves to show affection by headbutting your hand." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "We would like to welcome those that joined our department this month. They include Control Room Operator - Mariyah Pannell and SRO David Brink Jr. We know you will do great things and welcome you to the RSO family." (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• 3rd Street Coffeehouse: "Big congrats to Julie and Josh Kinn of Kinnfolk! Pretty soon they'll have to figure out how to sign the ceiling at the Berglund Center!" (3rd Street Coffeehouse via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "May is National Bike Month… so throw some air in them tires and get ready to RIDE! We are going to be offering a series of challenges and REWARDS for everyone to enjoy!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow 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