🌱 'GIVE Roanoke' Is Back For 24 Hours + Grandin Reacts To Shooting

Good morning, friends! It's your Roanoke Patch Newsletter Sherpa here to get you caught up on what's happening in the community. Hope you all have a great day. In today's newsletter, we'll cover these stories and more:

• FY24 city budget proposed.
• School board interviews conclude.
• Jury trial set for accused shooter.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 80 Low: 54.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Today is the day for 'GIVE Roanoke,' a 24-hour giving spree dedicated to helping the many area nonprofits that serve the Star City community in various ways. 'GIVE Roanoke' is hosted by the Council of Community Service and drew in a total of over $307,000 to the 105 participating organizations throughout the valley last year. This year 104 organizations are participating and there are "prizes" in the form of extra donations made on your behalf if you meet one of the criteria. An example is the "early bird" prize, in which an extra $250 is donated to the organization of choice of one randomly chosen person who donated between midnight and 6 a.m. More information and a list of organizations can be found here. (WFXR)
2. A total budget of just over $355 million for the City of Roanoke Fiscal Year 2024 has been proposed by City Manager Bob Cowell at the most recent city council meeting. The proposal is an increase of about $30 million or slightly less than 10 percent from 2023 and includes more funding for Roanoke City Schools than ever before. Even though tax rates under the proposal will be staying the same, many fees are being increased and with the increase in real estate values many area residents will still be paying more than they have before. "Tied to schools, this budget proposal proposes a historic level of funding, actually. That moves us across the threshold of $100 million of local support, so this budget represents $100.5 million of local support going to the Roanoke City Public Schools," Cowell said. The next step for the proposal is a public hearing on April 27 with a final vote by city council on May 8. (WDBJ)
3. Residents and business owners in the Grandin Village area are expressing shock and concern after a shooting death occurred Sunday evening at the 7-Eleven store on the corner of Grandin Road SW and Westover Avenue SW, in the heart of the village. Twenty-year-old Isaiah Baldwin has been arrested for the shooting and charged with second degree murder, but the investigation is ongoing. "It’s pretty sobering to think that someone actually was shot to death right next store. It’s unheard of in this neighborhood. That’s just not a thing that happens here typically. It happens in other parts of town unfortunately but we’re fairly insulated from that type of crime," said Olivia Byrd, who owns and operates Rockfish Food and Wine. Roanoke City Councilwoman Stephanie Moon-Reynolds on the other hand isn't shocked or surprised. "When I heard about the one over in Grandin Village… I’m not going to say it was a surprise because gun violence is all over. Once it comes into your backyard… oh, it takes on a different style. They you’ll want to be a part of the conversation," she said. (WSLS)
4. Interviews for Roanoke City's two open school board seats have been concluded with five candidates having been interviewed, including two incumbents. Those interviewed are Eli Jamison and Natasha Saunders, both incumbents, and Jacqueline Moon, Auraliz Quintana, and Christopher Link, who are all newcomers. All five candidates were present in city council chambers on Monday night where residents were invited to speak on behalf of their chosen candidate. Most of them turned out in support of Quintana, including her own daughter. City Council will make a decision and make appointments on May 1. (Roanoke Times)
5. The man accused of killing Roanoke teenager Isaiah Robinson appeared in a Montgomery County court on Monday. Jamel Flint, 25, stands accused of six felony charges in relation to the shooting death of Robinson, which occurred at the Melody Hookah Lounge on Feb. 4, 2022. Four others were injured in the attack and the Virginia Tech campus was placed on lockdown. Flint's jury trial was scheduled for Sept. 11 and 12 beginning at 9 a.m. and will include photos of Flint holding a gun and wearing a black metallic puffer jacket and what the judge called a toboggan mask after a motion to suppress the pictures was denied. Flint is also facing charges for assaulting a law enforcement officer while he was incarcerated. He is being held in the Western Virginia Regional Jail. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• GIVE Roanoke (All day)
• Brew-ha-ha Open Mic Comedy Night at Big Lick Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• Sam Burchfield at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Thank you to everyone who adopted pets last week, April 10-15. Happy Tails to Harbie, Asteroid, Lavender, Frank, Sarah, Arie, Wookie, Ralphie, Popcorn, Scarlett, Flash, Luna, Mouse, Tyson, and Marlo who all went home!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Scheduling issues have left us needing volunteers for the Brett Young concert on Wednesday, April 26 in Elmwood Park! We are specifically looking for individuals to pour beer and work admission. If you're interested, please sign up by clicking the link!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "We are excited about the future Booker T. Washington Center for Community Empowerment and Education, which is expected to open in July 2025. We need your input to help us determine the services and programming the community needs!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Celebrate spring at the Vinton Dogwood Festival, happening this April 28 & 29! 🎉🌸 Experience the family-friendly fun of live music, games, food, and more! Click here to plan your weekend adventure: https://bit.ly/3A6nYRC." (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start your Hump Day climb! 🧗‍♀️ I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update. In the meantime, don't forget about GIVE Roanoke. If you're looking for a suggestion for an organization to donate to, I personally recommend The Agape Center who is raising money to add a ramp for their physically challenged clients! 🥰

— 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