🌱 Downtown Restaurant Week Begins + WFHS Senior Opens Own Business

And it's Friday! Hello all you beautiful Roanokers! It's time for the Roanoke Daily. Here's what's happening around town. In today's issue, we'll touch on:

• Sentence handed down in 2021 fatal shooting
• Section 8 waiting list grows
• Shooting suspect involved in car chase denied bond

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny; breezy, cooler.

High: 49 Low: 33.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The waiting list for Section 8 Housing has a gigantic backlog reaching all the way back to 2019 and there are currently 4,500 people on the list. The waiting list opened up four months ago, but no one has moved off that list. Redevelopment and Housing Authority 's vice president, Evangeline Richie, said "We need more affordable housing units to accommodate for more than 2,000 families. Unfortunately, if we don’t add additional affordable housing units, we’re going to be forced to add additional homeless shelters to be able to accommodate for those families." If you're a property owner and interested in participating in the program, more information can be found here. (WDBJ)
2. A suspect in a shooting who tried to evade police leading to a pursuit through southeast Roanoke on Jan. 10 was denied bond at a court hearing on Wednesday afternoon. Malcolm Levort Harrison, 32, of Roanoke, was arrested and charged in a shootout that occurred in June 2022 in which surveillance footage shows an altercation between Harrison and another man who ended up being shot in the leg. Last Tuesday, officers observed Harrison in the Barrens Road area of Roanoke County, but when they attempted to stop him, he sped away, leading to a high-speed chase that concluded on Stewart Avenue in southeast Roanoke where Harrison left the SUV he was driving and ran into a home. Officers entered the residence and found Harrison hiding in a bedroom, arresting him at gunpoint. Harrison will be held until his trial, which is scheduled for May 8. (Roanoke Times)
3. A Roanoke man, Jamerius Crennell, was convicted of murder in a shooting that occurred in September 2021 and has now been sentenced to two life sentences in connection with the death of a convenience store clerk. Crennell robbed the A&A Cash Mart at the corner of 7th Street and Moorman Avenue on Sept 28, 2021 and shot and killed Basil Glenn Hubble, the clerk on duty at the time. A police officer patrolling the area heard gunshots from inside the store and saw Crennell running away. Crennell was apprehended and arrested shortly afterwards. (WSLS)
4. A senior at William Fleming High School has opened his own business in pursuit of his dream to one day become a millionaire. Miles Wilson started working at the age of 15 and quickly realized the value of a dollar working for retail chains. Now, he has founded Game Time Clothing, LLC. to be able to set his own hours and be his own boss. Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia, a Roanoke-based nonprofit dedicated to helping teach young people lessons in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, helped teach Miles the money management skills he needed to open his new company. Miles said on the company's website that "the company was founded to motivate dreamers to be primed for 'Game Time.' Everyone has a different game time: a tip-off, starting a new business, a job interview, or acing that final exam." You can learn more about Game Time Clothing, LLC. here. (WDBJ)
5. Downtown Roanoke's Restaurant Week kicks off today with approximately 30 local eateries offering lunch and dinner deals in hopes of attracting new customers. Jamie Clark, vice president of marketing and communications for Downtown Roanoke, Inc., said, "We've had some new restaurants open since the last Restaurant Week so hopefully everyone will feel some love during Restaurant Week." The event actually tasks place over the next nine days with lunch deals available for $10 and three course dinners ranging between $25 - $50 depending on the chosen venue. A full list of participating restaurants and prices can be found here. (WFIR)

Today in Roanoke:

• Leonard Blush & Camelcals at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke Regional Writers Conference at Hollins University (7 p.m.)
• Line Dancing with Ashton at Corned Beef & Co. (7 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Birmingham Bulls at the Berglund Center Coliseum (7 p.m.)
• Lady Couch w. Charissa Joy & the High Frequency at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Virginia State Parks: "Congratulations to Cole Jensen for hiking all 41 Virginia State Parks! Natural Bridge State Park Manager Jim Jones presented his Master Hiker certificate. Cole and his friends were determined to reach this accomplishment. They were never deterred by the weather or anything else." (Virginia State Parks via Instagram)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Did you know that the Roanoke Police Department has the largest, full-time Forensic Services Unit in Southwest Virginia? The team is made up of one sergeant, six full-time forensic investigators, and one part-time fingerprint technician. The RPD Forensic Services Unit does a tremendous amount of incredible work, and they worked hard in 2022!" (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Hermit Thrush rescued in Blacksburg was returned back to the New River Valley after a stint in rehab! Any bird that hits a window (like this bird probably did) should immediately be put in a box (with a closed secure lid!) and brought to a permitted wildlife rehabber Just like how not all the signs of a concussion are present until hours or days later in humans, a bird can fly away but still have major injuries and will die without care." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "It's Wish List Wednesday and it's no secret that our pups like their treats! Leia, pictured here, knows how to sit so pretty for them! We're asking for donations of treat bags so we can make them happy! We're hoping to get 15 of these if possible." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today, but before I go I need to warn you... today is National Penguin Day so be careful out there! There could be penguins. 🐧🐧🐧

— 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