🌱 Dog Vs. Mailman = No More Mail + Famous Anthony's Hep A Settlement

Hello fellow Roanokers! Wow. It's been quite a year, hasn't it? I took over writing the Roanoke Daily in late May thinking it would be a temporary thing, but have come to enjoy doing it so much I have kept on and plan to keep keeping on. If you're enjoying this newsletter and know anyone who might like to sponsor it I'd appreciate you sending it their way. Sponsors are what help keep this sustainable and in your inbox every morning and for businesses it's a great advertising tool as space is very limited. Anyways, here's your last Roanoke Daily for 2022, including updates on:

• Wiley Bridge Project receives federal funding
• Roanoke man wanted for sexual assault arrested
• Roanoke Airport sets a new record for gun seizures

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a little rain; cooler.

High: 53 Low: 46.

Are you a local business struggling to stand out in your community? Our newsletter sponsorships can help boost your visibility and attract new customers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. A potential settlement has been reached between the insurance carriers for the Famous Anthony's restaurant chain in the multiple lawsuits filed this year after two of the eateries locations were the beginning of a Hepatitis A outbreak. The two locations, which are owned independently, have filed for bankruptcy and the district court handling the case has hired a medical claims analyst to make a recommendation as to the amount each victim could seek in damages. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed publicly, but Bill Marler, a Seattle-based attorney representing 32 of the victims, said, "I believe the recommendation will be a very significant eight-figure sum." (Roanoke Times)
2. Roanoke City’s acting director of public works, Ian Shaw, has announced that the city has been awarded $2.5 million dollars in federal funding for the replacement of the Wiley Street Bridge, a low water bridge in the Wasena Neighborhood that has been the site of flooding in recent years. "Anybody who’s canoeing or kayaking on the river will find it’s a lot easier to go through a high bridge than the low one downstream. It makes it a lot easier for fish and other wildlife to move up and down stream and the Greenway will be closed a lot less frequently," Shaw said of the community and environmental impacts of the project. The city will now begin working with engineers to design a new bridge with construction expected to be completed by 2026. (WDBJ)
3. Residents on Roanoke's Northridge Street NE have been notified by the U.S. Postal Service that their street will no longer be receiving mail service due to an attack by a dog on a mail carrier. Letters were sent out to residents on Dec. 12 and service has been stopped ever since leading many residents to complain. But the USPS says the dog attack is nothing new. This is the third attack in the area and the third time mail service has had to be suspended. The options for the street to have service restored are twofold; every house buys a post and a box to allow for street delivery by postal vehicle, or the USPS will install community cluster boxes and give respective residents keys to retrieve their mail. A decision is expected to be made soon. (WFXR)
4. A Roanoke man wanted for the sexual assault of a child was found in North Carolina and arrested by Henry County Sheriff's Deputies in partnership with Kernersville, NC police. Lucas John Donley, 36, fled the Martinsville area the evening of Dec. 29 after being accused of sexual assault by the parents of a 6-year-old child temporarily left in his care at a hotel. Deputies gave up pursuit of Donely after a lengthy chase that reached speeds of 100 mph for the safety of the general public. Donley was taken in custody in Kernersville after a tip from the public and taken to a hospital for the treatment of injuries he sustained in an unidentified manner. (WDBJ)
5. The public safety director at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport sayas the facility set a record this year and it isn't a good one — 2022 has seen a record number of gun seizures! But Ben Cook says to his knowledge none of the incidents were done with malicious intent. "We’ve not had any instances, that we know of, where they’re maliciously carrying a weapon up there to try to get it on board the plane. Most people, in fact, probably everybody has used the same phrase: ‘I forgot it was in there,’ or ‘I’ve been looking for that.’" The previous record for firearm seizures at the airport was six in 2018. Carrying a weapon into the airport is a Class 1 misdemeanor and comes with a future appearance in Roanoke Federal Court, but does not result in an arrest. (Roanoke Times)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Roanoke Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Roanoke newsletter possible.

Today in Roanoke:

• New Year’s Eve Dinner at The River and Rail (5 p.m.)
• New Year’s Eve Dinner Celebration at The Hotel Roanoke’s Regency Room (6 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs New Year’s Eve vs. Huntsville Havoc at the Berglund Center Coliseum (6 p.m.)
• Masquerade New Year’s Eve Bash at The Park Dance Club (7 p.m.)
• Adult Prom Night New Year’s Eve at Twisted Track Brewpub (7 p.m.)
• ValleyStar Big Lick Downtown Countdown in Downtown Roanoke (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "All about that aquatic life! Painted turtles are one of our most common aquatic turtles in Virginia. This little one is still only the size of a half dollar coin but is already starting to show the vibrant colors for which this species is known." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Come out and meet sweet little Leia at tonight's Rail Yard Dawgs game! Leia will be our Pup of the Game! She's currently in foster care, and will likely be available for adoption around January 3rd. Maybe she'll meet her new best friend!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Before Winter Break, these students at Fishburn Park Elementary School were able to practice what they've been learning in the classroom on this fun field trip!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office was able to donate coats for toddlers to adults. We are so grateful to the community for your assistance and helping us give back to the less fortunate. Thank you to Sergeant Whitesides for a great idea!" (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "🎇 New year, new you! If starting a fulfilling career is one of your resolutions, we have just what you're looking for. 🎇 Learn more and apply today at WorkForRoanokeFireEMS.com." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "We're getting ready to hold our Kindergarten Readiness workshops next month! We'll be practicing skills needed in Kindergarten and beyond such as recognizing patterns and counting, getting reading ready, and those fine motor skills." (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (January 3)
• Add your event

Alrighty! That's a wrap for 2022. I will see you guys next year — also known as 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com