🌱 Cannabis Town Hall Meeting + Gun Violence Memorial Held

Hello there, Roanokers and happy Tuesday! Here's the Roanoke Patch Newsletter to get you up to speed on what's going on around town. Hope you all have a great day. Today you'll read about...

• Sheriff's Department partners with KoolKids.
• Rock Haven Music Festival coming.
• Star City Star Cam working again.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Very warm with clouds and sun. High: 80 Low: 55.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Department has partnered up with KoolKids, a locally owned and operated business that helps feed dozens at the Roanoke Rescue Mission each month to help bridge the gap between area law enforcement and the community. Sheriff Antonio Hash said the outreach is part of the department's participation in the Law Enforcement-Community Engagement Network. "When you talk about community policing, the people in your locality or in your community want to see law enforcement come back out and embrace the community at large. So, I’m excited when the community will receive us in any capacity, not just with the less fortunate, but any sector of our city," he said. (WSLS)
2. A memorial service was held Sunday to remember the victims of gun violence and as a call to action for the Roanoke community. The Rev. Tim Harvey helped organize the event and said, "As a pastor, I believe in prayer. I get a little tired of the phrase 'thoughts and prayers,' and so today was a call to pray, but it was also a call to action to be involved." Speakers at the service included retired pastor Marilyn Lynch who was the pastor on campus at Virginia Tech when Seung-Hui Cho, a student at the university, killed 32 people and wounded 17 others. "I was so numb myself that my alma mater, I’m a Tech graduate, would even have this kind of event even happen on campus,” added Lerch. “I always felt safe in Blacksburg and all of a sudden, I began to wonder," she said. Organizers recommended supporting FEDUP, a Roanoke-based group of parents of victims of gun violence. You can learn more about them here. (WDBJ)
3. The first annual Rock Haven Music Festival is scheduled to happen on April 29 at Loch Haven Lake in Roanoke County. The festival is being put on by the Rotary Club of the Blue Ridge - New Generations to benefit Brain Injury Services of Southwest Virginia and Head Strong Brain Injury Support Group of Southwest Virginia. The goal of the festival is to raise awareness for survivors and their families about the services available to them and to raise funds for the providers of those services. The show will go on at noon and run until 10 p.m. that day and will feature four Roanoke-based bands and a headline act from Richmond. More information about tickets, parking, and food can be found here. (WSLS)
4. Virginia’s Cannabis Control Authority will be holding a town hall meeting in Roanoke on April 19. The authority was established in 2021 by the Virginia General Assembly after the possession of small amounts of marijuana was legalized. The purpose of the meeting will be for residents to ask questions and share their own thoughts and concerns on the matter even though efforts to begin recreational sales hit a wall in the most recent legislative session. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Roanoke's Higher Education Center at 108 N. Jefferson St. (Roanoke Rambler)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Roanoke:

• Social Security Seminar at South County Library (6 p.m.)
• Fleet Feet Pub Walk and Run at Big Lick Brewing Company (6 p.m.)
• Gote at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Roanoke Government: "The update you've been waiting for is here! The Star Cam is up and running again 🤩 Check out those awesome views of the Star City!" (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Woodrow Wilson science students released trout last week for their annual Trout in the Classroom project! Each year, students raise trout from eggs and then release them in the spring at Roaring Run. Way to go, Presidents!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Today is opening day of the season for Twin Rivers Outfitters! 🎉 Learn everything you need to know about paddling, floating, and camping along the James River here: http://bit.ly/2J28fX6 Botetourt County | Virginia is for Lovers" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Fallon Park Elementary School held its first annual kite day last Wednesday! Students decorated sled kites and flew them high in the sky throughout the day. We loved seeing students’ creativity and watching them soar! #RCPSProud" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "One of our staff has been letting Arie come into her office so they can spend time together and this also gives Arie more space to explore. She noticed that Arie tends to enjoy suckling on blankets and other soft items." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. I'll see you tomorrow morning bright and early to begin our Hump Day climb!

— 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