🌱 Group Forms For BCPS Improvement + Cold Case Candlelight Vigil

Hello again, everybody! We made it through Monday! So, here's the Tuesday edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter to get you caught up what's happening in town, including:

• Quilt Show held.
• Police presence on Hershberger explained.
• New Virginia Tech Roanoke College partnership.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Mostly cloudy and cooler. High: 60 Low: 41.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night in Melrose Park for Arienna Day and other Roanoke area cold case victims. Day disappeared when she was three months old in 2018 and has never been found despite her father's admission to burying the little girl in Montgomery County after finding her barely alive at her mother's home. The vigil drew people from as far away as Indiana. Jemarh Fuell, a Roanoke-based private detective, was hired by an advocate in North Carolina to look into the case and said, "Sometimes things just quietly go away, you know. You never hear about it again, so seeing that she still has the support, this right here is just hoping a family member will see this and know that that’s their cousin, niece, grandbaby and maybe there’s something the dad or the mom has shared with someone in the family that will help out with the case." (WSLS)
2. A new citizens group has formed in Botetourt County dedicated to backing the Botetourt County School Board's request for more capital improvement funding for the schools. The Coalition for Public Funding of the Botetourt County Public Schools Capital Improvement Plan is inviting all Botetourt County citizens to join them in speaking up at the next board of supervisors meeting and has also launched an online petition. A letter posted to the group's website said in part, "We plan to publicly support the school division’s FY24 CIP funding request during the budget process. If fulfilled, the requested funds will be used to begin to address deferred maintenance of the facilities. Without these funds, building improvements and modernization will continue to be delayed." The group's petition can be found here and the next BoS meeting is in April. (Botetourt Bee)
3. A large police and emergency crew presence was seen Saturday night at the intersection of Hershberger Road NW and Ordway Drive NW leading to much speculation. The Roanoke Police Department has now said the incident was a pedestrian hit by a car and the further details will be revealed as they become available. The victim was taken to the hospital, but no further word has been given on their condition and it has not been revealed whether or not the driver stayed on the scene or is cooperating with the investigation. The incident occurred near the Exxon gas station across from the UHaul, a busy and somewhat complex area for traffic. (WFXR)
4. The Star Quilters Guild presented the Stars Over The Blue Ridge Quilt Show this past weekend at the Berglund Center with over 200 quilts on display. Many different styles were included from traditional to modern and even quilts designed to be a work of art. The stories behind each quilty were told, bed turnings demonstrations were held, and the Roanoke Quilts for Valor Statichers presented several veterans with quilts in honor of their service. You can learn more about the guild here at their website including the Quilts of Valor Foundation. (WDBJ)
5. Virginia Tech and Roanoke College have agreed to enter a partnership with the goal of aiding the growth of Virginia's workforce in technological fields such as engineering and computer science. The new program is being called Direct to Tech and will streamline the process of Roanoke College graduates pursuing graduate degrees in computer science and applications or computer engineering . "This program will provide students with the opportunity to take advantage of the best that Roanoke College and Virginia Tech have to offer. We’re thrilled that Roanoke is the first college in Virginia to sign on to this program," said Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr. The program became effective immediately and interested students are urged to contact Anil Shende at Roanoke College or Dannette Gomez Beane at Virginia Tech. (Roanoke Star)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Roanoke:

• Legislative Wrap-up 2023 Presented By: Appalachian Power (7:30 a.m.)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (8:30 a.m.)
• School Board Workshop — Roanoke School District (5:30 p.m.)
• School Board Workshop — Noel C. Taylor Academy at Oakland (5:30 p.m.)
• Fleet Feet Pub Walk and Run at Big Lick Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• JSB Variety Show at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Can you believe a hawk this small exists? This male sharp-shinned hawk was rescued after being seen acting oddly and standing on the ground for several days. Usually this is bad news for a raptor and indicates severe injuries." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges: "We have THREE show announcements this week! 🤘🤘 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! Be the first to know by signing up for our eblast list at DrPepperPark.com!" (Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Congratulations to all our middle schools for participating in the 2023 Middle School History Bowl last week! We are so proud of everyone and hope they had fun. Special thanks to Social Studies Supervisor Jack Jagodzinski!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Ivy is being featured as today's Black Dog Salvage Pup of the Game at the Rail Yard Dawgs hockey game. Although she's not in attendance because she's a nervous girl and a large crowd would likely scare her, our staff will be there to answer any questions!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "You have two more chances this week to hangout with a princess! We can't wait for these very special Cinderella story times happening with our incredible friends at the Southwest Virginia Ballet!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you 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