🌱 City To Build 40 Affordable Homes + Second Red Flagged Man Guilty

Hello everyone! It's Saturday morning which means it's time for the Roanoke Patch newsletter! Here's what's happening locally, including news about...

• Beer and chocolate at Twin Creeks
• A parent speaks out about cemetery changes
• VT study looking for dogs with tumors

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Considerable cloudiness. High: 52 Low: 36.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke City has released a plan to build 40 units of affordable housing using nearly $7 million received from the American Rescue Plan Act. The units will be spread throughout the city rather than being one collective, multifamily property and qualifications will focus on those most in need including domestic violence victims, veterans, and the homeless. "It will be based upon the income of 30 percent or below the area median income. Meaning some folks may need housing vouchers or some other assistance," said Roanoke City Community Resources Administrator Keith Holland. The plan is open for public comment until Feb. 28 and there will be a public meeting with Roanoke City Council on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. (WDBJ)
2. A Roanoke man is the second person to be red flagged in the Star City since the Virginia red flag law went into effect over two years ago and was found guilty in general district court on Wednesday morning. Eight firearms were seized from Scott C. Roseberry, 52, after a 911 call to his residence on Green Springs Avenue NW on Jan. 3. According to a police officer's testimony in court, the call was related to a child custody matter and Roseberry surrendered after first coming outside bearing a loaded, semi-automatic pistol. While being detained, Roseberry made several threats against his ex-wife and father-in-law and a substantial risk order (red flag) was issued. Roseberry will not serve time in jail, but his firearms remain in the possession of Roanoke City Police and will not be returned before an April review of the risk order by the court. (Franklin News Post)
3. A Roanoke woman whose son is buried in Cedar Ridge Memorial Park's "babyland" section has spoken out about the announcement by the cemetery owners, the Fair View Group, that they will dissolve their company on June 30. Tiffany McFalls' son Antwan has been buried there since he passed away at three months old and she is concerned about the future of the more than 30,000 gravesites there and in Fair View Cemetery off Melrose Avenue. "What’s gonna happen to Babyland? What’s gonna happen to all our loved ones? That was my first thought. I think, with this being his place of rest, I shouldn’t have to worry about the care or what type of hands his care will be in," she said. McFalls took to social media to voice her concerns and received several responses including two from current city council members saying they are aware of the situation and are working to resolve it. The Fair View Group's website said they do not expect "significant change" in the operation and upkeep of the properties despite their closing. (WFXR)
4. A new study set to take place at Virginia Tech's Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke is seeking dogs with soft tissue sarcomas for a clinical trial. The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is testing a novel treatment that can non-invasively destroy tissue without radiation or heat called histotripsy. The college is offering compensation as well as financial aid to qualified applicants in the form of credits at the clinic in addition to the care, diagnostics, and treatment given to enrolled dogs during the trial. More information and a list of qualifying factors can be found here. (Virginia Tech Daily)
5. Beer and chocolate anyone? I'm personally a fan of beer and pizza, but my wife would disagree and be all in for the chocolate. And to cater to those with that inclination, Twin Creeks Brewing is partnering up with Beauty and the Treats to offer hand-crafted and locally brewed pairings for Valentine's Day. Boxes of chocolates to pair with beer flights are available while supplies last in Twin Creek’s Vinton Taproom. Jess Curtain, the special events coordinator for Twin Creeks, said she knew right away that pairing Twin Creeks' beers with Julissa McCoy's chocolates was meant to be. This is the second event the two companies have hosted together with the first a Christmas time pairing of peppermint tree bark with the brewery's peppermint schwartz beer that was a big hit. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Classic film series: “Platoon” at the Grandin Theatre (9:15 a.m.)
• Big Lick Comic Con at Berglund Special Events Center (10 a.m.)
• Billingsley at Big Lick Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• Valentine Dreams by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra at the Jefferson Center (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "We’re used to weird, but this takes a cake 🤯 — today we admitted a BABY Bobcat kitten from Giles County who was brought to us by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources staff. This kitten was found dazed and circling on the side of the road." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Meet Jayla West, who is the first teacher to sign a contract for the 2023-2024 school year! Jayla is a proud graduate of William Fleming High School and will graduate from Virginia State University in May. She will be a math teacher at Lucy Addison Middle School." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "CIVILIAN POSITIONS OPEN The Roanoke Police Department is hoping to hire several police support technicians. This position is a civilian role at RPD. Come serve a dynamic, wonderful community like Roanoke -- Apply today and join the RPD!" (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "🥳 We're proud to have fun areas in Virginia's Blue Ridge featured by MSN in their article '20 Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia'!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Now that Nala has moved to the free roam cat room and is having a blast with her new friends, Blue has become our newest office kitty! She's been a fabulous assistant — she really has her paws into EVERYTHING!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I hope you have a great weekend and dudes — don't forget it's Valentine's weekend!

— 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