🌱 Botetourt Family Welcomes Ukrainian Refugees + Part Time Detectives

Greetings and good morning fine folks of the 'noke! Here's the Sunday edition of the Roanoke Daily to get you all caught up on what's happening in the Star City. Today you'll find these stories and more:

• An update on a New Year's Day "shooting."
• Local companies turn to electric cars
• Staffing bill could impact area nursing homes

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Rain and snow showers in the A.M. changing to all rain in the P.M. 🌧️❄️

High: 41 Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. In a think outside the box move, the Roanoke City Police Department has decided to try hiring part-time criminal investigators in an effort to boost recruitment. There are currently four part time detective positions open, but applicants must be a Virginia DCJS certified Police Officer. Chief Sam Roman said the department is always looking for ways to improve. "Can we capitalize on retired officers who are still DCJS certified to come in and help us investigate some of the cases? You know and that’s just not for violent crime but the people who have been victims of property crime. They deserve the same level of service," he said. More information and the application can be found here. (WDBJ)
2. Roanoke City Police have released an update on the shooting that occurred overnight in the 3600 block of Williamson Road NE on New Year's Day. Though injured, the victim was highly uncooperative and upon further investigation there was no evidence he'd actually been shot either at the scene itself or on his body. Detectives were eventually able to identify the man and found warrants out for his arrest in Virginia Beach. Upon being released from the hospital, the man was taken into police custody and to jail. The case is now considered closed. (WDBJ)
3. In an effort to boost recruitment, save the environment, and save money local businesses in the Roanoke area are turning to the use of electric vehicles. Outside the Domino's Pizza on Market Center Way in Daleville is a row of brand new, sleekly colored Chevy Bolts that will soon be on the road delivering pies. The advantages of the new fleet benefit the company, the planet, and the employees. "You don’t have to have your own vehicle anymore to work here," said Kevin Shaw, an area Domino's franchisee. Nationwide, the pizza delivery chain is expected to roll out over 800 custom branded EVs within the next year. (WSLS, Domino's EV fleet website)
4. A bill being considered in Richmond could have a negative impact on local nursing facilities so at least one such facility is trying to prepare ahead of time in case the bill should become law. House Bill 1446 was introduced in December and would mandate levels of nursing staff required to be on duty at any given time with any facility found to be out of compliance being sanctioned. Natalie Wynegar, the administrator of the nursing and rehab center located at Brandon Oaks on Brandon Avenue in Roanoke, said they are fully staffed at present, but are paying a staffing agency to help. "No one can maintain that for an extended period of time, so we’re trying to get creative with a CNA class, trying to think outside the box to help with the staffing crisis in general. Unfortunately, there’s just not enough staff in the industry. It’s just a really challenging time,” she said. (WFXR, WRIC)
5. Fincastle and Botetourt County have four new residents from Eastern Europe including an adorable little dog named Nicole. Ihor and Oleski Mostovyi and Anzhelika Didkivska arrived in the Roanoke area from Bucha, Ukraine after their home there was destroyed by Russian missile strikes in the early days of Russia's invasion and occupation. It was a chance meeting in a bar in Portugal where Ihor was working 19 hour days that brought he and his family to America. Will Barkett, owner and operator of 1772 Rooftop on Main in Fincastle, was in Portugal to study the country's foods and wines and got to know Ihor, leading the Barketts to become Ihor's family's sponsors. The process took several months, but ended with Ihor and his family arriving shortly before Christmas. (Botetourt Bee)

Today in Roanoke:

• Public Ice Skating at Berglund Center Coliseum (noon)
• Stampede Championship Rodeo at the Salem Civic Center (2 p.m.)
• Star City Cruise E-Bike Tour at Roanoke Mountain Adventures (3 p.m.)
• Open Mic Coffey Jams at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke County Police Department: "Here in Roanoke County we take trespassing very seriously! What you have here is a young fella that found himself wandering on somebody else’s property without permission. Due to that, Law Enforcement had to get involved! He was an extremely nice guy and allowed this officer here to escort him back to his own property with no conflict! No animals were charged, oops, I mean harmed in the taking of this photo! 🐔 (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke Inc.: "December was another busy month for our Downtown Ambassadors. Check out the excellent work they did. The map shows where tasks were completed downtown." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Have you ever wanted to be able to take your dog to events where they may be around lots of other dogs and people? Maybe you want to have your dog with you while you enjoy lunch outside downtown on a beautiful spring day, or attend a festival like GoFest, or maybe you want your best friend with you when you hop in the car for a leisurely drive. Not all dogs will be able to go on these types of outings, but if you think your dog may have fun, there are some steps you can take to slowly introduce them to the concept." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)

Welcome to America and to Roanoke Ihor and Oleski Mostovyi and Anzhelika Didkivska from the PATCH Roanoke Daily! We're excited to have you here!

You're all caught up for today. 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com