🌱 Colby And Caleb Owner Due In Court + National Guard Expansion

Good morning, Roanokers! Time for a fresh copy of the Roanoke Patch newsletter, full of what's happening in town this Thursday! Today you'll find news about:

• Troutville man's bond revoked in abduction case
• All female leadership for RBA
• Area reaction to student loan forgiveness

Let's go!

But first, today's weather: Showers early in the morning. High: 73 Low: 46.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Terry E. Michel, the owner of Caleb and Colby — the two missing dogs reported stolen and later found dead in Franklin County — is set to appear in court. Court documents reveal Michel confessed during the investigation after giving differing stories as to the dogs' fate. Officials investigating the case have determined the dogs were never at the park they were supposedly abducted from and said they have not determined a motive for the crime. Michel faces two counts of felony animal cruelty, one count of filing a false police report, and two summons for improper disposal of a companion animal. He is currently being held without bond. (WDBJ)
2. Jerry Lee Orange Jr. — the Troutville man arrested for the assault, battery, and abduction of a female mail carrier last fall — had his bond revoked at a hearing on Tuesday and was taken into custody by Botetourt County Sheriff's deputies. Orange was indicted in October by the grand jury for felony abduction and five misdemeanors including two counts of sexual battery, two counts of assault and battery, and one count of stalking. The revocation of Orange's bail came as Judge Joel Branscom questioned whether Orange understood the seriousness of the case against him. Despite complying with the conditions of his bond, prosecutors said Orange and his attorney had asked for a number of continuances in the case and negotiations over a plea agreement had stalled. Branscom ordered the bond revoked to force Orange to make a decision and allow proceedings to continue. (Roanoke Times)
3. For the very first time in its history, the Roanoke Bar Association will have an entirely female leadership. The association was founded in 1925 with the mission of "providing a forum for the promotion of professional excellence among members of the Bar in the Roanoke area" and engaging with the community through a number of charitable efforts. "As we are coming up on the 100th anniversary of the RBA in 2025, I think it is fantastic that we finally have an all-female board. I hope this moment will highlight that the RBA is committed to change and progress and hopefully we will get to the point where an all-female board is no longer an anomaly," said RBA secretary/treasurer Amy Geddes. More information on the RBA can be found on their website here. (Roanoker Magazine)
4. 220 additional soldiers are coming to the Botetourt County area with the Virginia National Guard's announcement of the expansion of the Roanoke Area Readiness Center. The current center is on the site of the closed Botetourt Correctional Facility, shuttered in 2015, and will see significant change with the addition of two new buildings — a 33,500 square foot readiness center building and a 16,300 square foot maintenance building to expand on existing FMS capabilities into the VNG’s second combined support maintenance shop. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for later today at the Troutville site. The facility is currently home to the VNG's Field Maintenance Shop #10 and the 29th Infantry Division Band. "We are incredibly excited to break ground on the expansion of the Roanoke Regional Readiness Center Complex and improve the capabilities of an already great facility. Once complete, the expanded facility will provide improved maintenance response in the region and additional personnel available if needed for response operations," said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. (WSLS)
5. Student loan forgiveness is a hot topic across the nation as the Supreme Court prepares to take on challenges to President Joe Biden's planned loan cancellation program. WFXR spoke with two area students who took differing views on the matter. "I don’t think the plan goes far enough. I think they need to be eliminated completely, and I think all college education needs to be free at a public level," said Keegan Waggener while Gregg Prince said, "It’s going to make whatever money is forgiven unavailable to benefit anybody else,” he said. “I would hope that they would consider it on what’s best for the population as a whole and not just for certain individuals." Regardless of the outcome, experts say those with student loans should prepare to enter repayment now as if repaying the full amount to make adjustments easier in the not-too-distant future. (WFXR)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Thirsty Thursday with Charissa Joy at Big Lick Brewing Company (6 p.m.)
• Flamingo Brothers Trivia at Twin Creeks Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• Music Bingo or Live Music Thursdays at Twisted Track Brewpub (6:30 p.m.)
• Jared Stout Band at the Grandin Theatre (7 p.m.)
• Worm Sultry and Honey at The Spot on Kirk (7:30 p.m.)
• Space Koi at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "We would like to take a moment to recognize Major Perkins and thank her for 27 years with the department. Today is bittersweet, as although you are deserving, we are sad to see you leave. Congratulations on your retirement!" (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Chatty checkup! This female, Yellow-breasted Chat was caught by a cat last year but has had to stay at the Center because she missed migration. While the rest of her species spends time in the tropics, she just finished her recovery." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "The VOTES ARE IN! Pecan, Peanut, and Nutter Butter have made it to the final round of voting on OUR WEBSITE! Thank you to everyone who helped us get this far by voting on Facebook and Instagram. NOW, it's time to head over to our website where you will see these nutty names + Baldwin (thanks to an anonymous donor) listed." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Have you heard? bloom | restaurant & wine-bar is now open for brunch on Saturdays! Their souffle pancakes are on our must-try list 😍There's also plenty of savory menu items and cocktails, too! We recommend reserving your seating ahead of time!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke STARCADE: "🚨NEW GAME!!!🚨 The biggest THANK YOU to our STARCADE techs who work so hard to repair and rehabilitate our arcade machines!" (Roanoke STARCADE via Facebook)

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There you go — you're in the loop and ready to head out the door. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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