🌱 Fishburn Park Coffee Shop 'Not Dead' + New Mural Set To Be Finished

Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your new copy of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Let's get this Friday started off right, with a quick guide to what's going on in town. In today's issue, you'll learn about these stories and more...

• Man arrested for selling 'ghost gun.'
• Sheriff's Office raises money for Special Olympics.
• City receives grant for new art project.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 75 Low: 51.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke City Council recently rejected a rezoning request to convert the Fishburn Park caretaker's cottage into a coffee shop, causing a backlash from residents. However, some council members and the developers, Justin and Keri Kidd vanBlaricom, believe the deal could still be salvaged. Efforts are currently underway to remove the leaders of the Grandin Court Neighborhood Association due to their opposition to the project. Bureaucratic hurdles remain, as the city's contract with the vanBlaricoms states that the deal must close by June 30, and a new rezoning request cannot be brought forward for at least a year. Council members and the developers suggest that more information will be revealed in the coming weeks. (Roanoke Rambler, WFIR)
2. A new mural in downtown celebrates outdoor recreation and the scenic beauty of the Star City region. Located on the Freedom First Federal Credit Union Building, the mural can be seen from I-581 and covers two sides of the building. The artwork combines the image of a rock climber with a view of the mountains in western Virginia. The project is a collaboration between artists James Bullough and Onur Dinc. The mural is designed to be experienced as a panoramic scene, with the front visible from the highway and the rest of the artwork unfolding as one continues past the building. The President and CEO of Freedom First Federal Credit Union Paul Phillips expressed his satisfaction with the talented artists and their work. The mural is expected to be completed in the next few days. (WDBJ)
3. The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office organized a hot dog and nacho bar sale in Roanoke to raise funds for the Special Olympics before Memorial Day weekend. Community members had the opportunity to purchase food and drinks at the intersection of Third Street and Campbell Avenue. Additionally, they offered a Dunk a Deputy activity, where participants could try to dunk a deputy for $2. The event aimed to serve the community and support the Special Olympics. The Sheriff's Office had previously held a Tip the Deputy event at Red Robin, raising $1,676 for Special Olympics Virginia. Their final upcoming fundraising event is the Torch Run on June 7, organized in collaboration with other emergency officials in Roanoke. The total amount of money raised during the recent food sale and Dunk a Deputy event is currently unknown. (WSLS)
4. The City of Roanoke has received a $75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to fund the 'Arts Connect Neighborhoods' project. This collaborative initiative aims to unite the community through various art-related activities, performances, workshops, and murals. The NEA grant was one of 57 approved in the Our Town category nationwide. In addition to the grant, the city matched the funds, resulting in a total budget of $150,000 for the project. The Roanoke Arts Commission and Roanoke Cultural Endowment partnership will oversee the project, engaging both independent artists and established arts organizations to provide arts-based services. A catalog of events will be created in fall 2023, allowing the community to select from a range of arts activities happening throughout the city. (WFXR)
5. An 18-year-old Roanoke man, Julius Frederick Muse, has been charged with selling a "ghost gun," which is a privately assembled pistol lacking a serial number and cannot be traced to a crime. He was arrested on a federal indictment, making it one of the first charges related to ghost guns in the U.S. District Court for Western Virginia. Muse allegedly sold a Polymer80 9 mm handgun to a person he knew or believed was a convicted felon prohibited from owning firearms. Muse is also accused of selling commercially made guns to a convicted felon and participating in straw purchases of firearms. Straw purchases involve someone falsely claiming to be the buyer of a gun when it is intended for someone else. Muse has been identified as a documented gang member and came to the attention of ATF agents during a gun trafficking investigation. Muse is currently in custody at the Roanoke City Jail. (Roanoke Times)

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Today in Roanoke:

• Salem Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show at the Salem Civic Center (10 a.m.)
• Roanoke’s Festival in the Park at Elmwood Park (11 a.m.)
• Warren Zeiders at Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges (6 p.m.)
• Low Low Chariot at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "What am I? I am a young bird who is often misidentified as other species, even by avid nature-lovers, and even some birders don't know what I am when they see me!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Sweet Stanley is still looking for his new home. His face may look grumpy, but this boy is actually a lover! Stanley enjoys being petted and having his head scratched and will even let you rub his chest and belly." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: "🔧 Awesome 🔧 Meticulous 🔧 Talented It’s Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Day! ROA 💙 AMTs! Our AMTs play an integral role in keeping operations moving and ensuring aircraft safety." (Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Police Department: "Forge Your Path! Let’s talk about starting your new rewarding career! Worried about relocation expenses? We will pay up to $15,000 to relocate as well as a $3,000 sign on!!" (Roanoke County, VA Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Please join us in congratulating Dr. Brooke Blanks for being named principal of Highland Park Elementary School during last night's School Board Special Meeting/Workshop!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for 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