🌱 Comedian Fortune Feimster In The 'Noke + BoS County Tax Reductions

Hello fine folks of the 'noke! It's time for the venerable Thursday edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Let's get this day started off right with a quick look at what's going on in town, including updates on:

• An about face for Eureka Rec Center project.
• New RCPS buildings officially named.
• Two NW shooting victims identified.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Sunny and very warm. High: 82 Low: 52.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Representatives from Roanoke City Parks and the architectural firm working with them to design a new Eureka Park Rec Center unveiled a new design Tuesday night at a meeting at the Melrose Branch Library — a renovation rather than a replacement. The change in the project from replacing the current center to simply renovating it became necessary because of the costs involved officials told those gathered. Several of the people who attended the event voiced concerns about their neighborhood being ignored and left out of the city's thought process and said the change from replacement to renovation is more evidence of just that. But officials insisted the pivot was due to the continuing high cost of construction and the $13 million budget simply not supporting a bigger plan. (Roanoke Times)
2. On Tuesday, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors voted in approval of reducing taxes and increasing personal property relief for county residents amid the ongoing surge in both real estate and material values. The county real estate tax will be reduced by $0.03 to $1.06 per $100 of value and the personal property tax $0.10 to $3.40 per $100 of value, but with a 56.10 percent tax relief reduction for an effective rate of $1.49. Additionally, personal vehicles will also benefit from the 56.10 percent reduction, but only on the first $20,000 of value with vehicles worth less than $1,000 accruing no tax liability. "Our Board remains committed to putting money back in the hands of our hard-working citizens," said Martha Hooker, Roanoke County Board of Supervisors chair. (WDBJ)
3. In a largely symbolic move, the Roanoke City School Board officially voted to name the new RCPS administration building the William B. Robertson Administration Building, following the advice of the RCPS Naming Committee. Additionally, the accepted proposal names certain sections within the building after some of the runners-up in the naming process including the Doris Ennis School Board Meeting Chambers and the E. Wayne Harris Professional Learning Wing. The new technical education center, located in the old Ruffner Middle School, has been named The Charles Day Technical Education Center and includes sections named the Lloyd Enoch Social Gathering Area and Courtyard, the Henrietta Lacks Health and Medical Sciences Wing, and the Joe Gaither Sports Medicine Wing. (WSLS)
4. Fortune Feimster, a comedian, actress, and writer known for her affable, charismatic, and confessional style and her roles in "The Mindy Project," "Office Christmas Party," and "Last Comic Standing" as well as the upcoming "FUBAR," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is making her way to the Star City for her Live, Laugh, Love Tour. The show will go on at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre on Aug. 4 and tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. In the meantime, you can get a preview of Feimster's comedic brand on the Netflix special "SWEET & SALTY," which was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award, and learn more about her on her website. (WSET)
5. More information has been released on the Monday afternoon shootings that took place a short time after the conclusion of the city's latest workshop on gun violence, revealing two of the victims were 7-year-old twins. Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell released the information and said the police have a male suspect and that the issue that led to the shooting involved a stolen bicycle. No one has been arrested yet and no charges filed, but police are investigating and said there was a fight on the block shortly before the shooting. "I was really disheartened to read that [the shooting happened]. This was discouraging to me on a couple of fronts. We know there are fights, but in the middle of an argument, with children around, someone opened fire and that could have been really devastating for everybody," said Gun Violence Commissioner Joe Cobb. The woman and children were hit with a projectile from a shotgun and the injuries non-life threatening. (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Joe Gatto Comedy Show at The Berglund Center (7 p.m.)
• Conversation with author Rachel Beanland at the Grandin Theatre (7 p.m.)
• Comedy Night at Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen and Brewery (7 p.m.)
• Bangladeafy, Swamp Serpent, and Gatter Project at The Spot on Kirk (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "A bigger baby, but a baby all the same! This young fledgling Mourning Dove was caught by a cat and is recovering at the Center from several puncture wounds and broken tail feathers." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government: "The City of Roanoke was recently named one of the most beautiful cities in Virginia by WorldAtlas.com! Roanoke is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts being surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, on the banks of the Roanoke River, and with over 60 parks, plazas, and greenways. Then there is also our gorgeous displays of public art, museums, and the historic Farmers Market. Our metro-mountain town has something for everyone!" (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Do you like to sew? We need you! Vet visits can be pretty scary for our feline friends, and that cold exam table doesn’t help. Our vet team would love some soft comforting blankets for our feline friends to enjoy during their time here!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Botetourt County: "Botetourt County was happy to welcome Sen. Mark Warner to Greenfield to talk about broadband in BOCO! We are happy to report that the VATI2 Grant that will bring fiber to an additional 1,901 addresses in the county is now underway!" (Botetourt County via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com