🌱 Help Wanted Naming School Buildings + Equity In Action Update

Good morning, fine folks of the 'noke! It's time for the Thursday edition of the Roanoke Patch newsletter. Here's what's fit to print about what's happening in the community. Today's briefing includes...

• Historic cemeteries hoping for city rescue
• Academy has largest class ever
• Full GOAT decided by goats?

Let's motor! 🚙

But first, today's weather: A touch of morning rain. High: 64 Low: 49.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Students, families, and the community are being invited to give input to the Roanoke City Public Schools Naming Committee on the naming of two new buildings. The first is the new Roanoke Technical Education Center near William Fleming High School and the other is the Campbell Avenue administration building. An online survey has been launched for people to give their input on the nominated names chosen from a prior public input session that ended in December. A public meeting will also be held on Thursday, Feb. 23 in the Media Center at the RCPS Administration Building on Douglass Avenue. All opinion must be in by Feb. 28 in order to move the naming process along. The Roanoke City School Board will have the final say in the naming process. The survey and more information can be found here. (WFIR)
2. The nonprofit caretakers of two area cemeteries filled with historic grave markers are asking the City of Roanoke to take over caring for the properties. The Fair View Group, who owns and maintains both the Fair View Cemetery and Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, said its members are getting older and that their health is failing so the board of directors has decided to dissolve the entity on June 30, 2023. The company has searched long and hard for a private sector entity to take over the operation of the two active cemeteries that have histories dating as far back as the War of 1812 but have been unsuccessful in doing so. Now, they're hoping the city will step up as of July 1. A hearing is expected to be held on the matter in the near future for city council to review the transition plan and vote on whether or not to accept it. (WSLS)
3. At the Roanoke City School Board's most recent meeting Tuesday night, an update on the school division's Equity In Action Project was shared. The presentation included details on the upcoming temporarily named (see above story) ROTEC Ruffner Facility that will house new career and technical education offerings for students of the two city high schools, William Fleming and Patrick Henry. Of the 18 courses being offered at the facility, four will be brand new to the division: criminal justice, barbering, landscaping, and HVAC. "It’s just so very important for us to be able to double our CTE seat capacity in this way. We had an opportunity as a community, and we have seized on that opportunity for our children and we couldn’t be any more excited," said Dr. Verletta White, RCPS superintendent. More information on the Equity In Action Project can be found here. (WDBJ)
4. Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy in Salem has announced that they presently have the largest class of recruits the academy has ever had with 56 soon-to-be officers or deputies. The academy has been seeing a slow growth since the beginning of the pandemic, according to executive director Gary Moore. When asked why he thinks the academy is growing despite a seeming lack of interest in law enforcement jobs at many agencies, Moore said, "I think a lot of agencies are pushing hard for recruiting. They’re going out doing recruiting events, it’s an open hiring process trying to get more and more recruits." The academy is considering opening a third class each year to account for further growth and lessen the stress on their facility. (WFXR)
5. The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon has filled all but 10 spots for its upcoming Full GOAT (greatest of all time) challenge and will be holding a lottery style event to decide who will take those final spots. Thirty-five athletes have registered and to decide marathon staff won't be drawing names from a hat, spinning a wheel, or holding a fight to the death, but will instead keep to the GOAT theme and hold a race using actual goats. The registrants will be assigned a goat on the day of the race — today at 8:45 a.m. — and the winning goat's athletes will be awarded the open spaces. You can watch the race here. The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon will be held on April 22. (Roanoke Star)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Fayetteville Marksmen at Berglund Center (10:30 a.m.)
• Team Trivia Night at Big Lick Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• Colby Helms & the Virginia Creepers at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "First babies of 2023! These native deer mice belong to the genus Peromyscus, but we aren't sure which species of deer mouse they are yet because they are so young. Peromyscus means 'booted mouse' due to their appearance of wearing white boots." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Poor little Leia is growing up in our shelter and we can't believe it! She's cute, sweet, and spunky! Surely there is a home out there for her! Give us a call at 540-339-9247 to schedule your meet and greet with Leia!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "We've got a few before and ✨after✨ photos from our Downtown Ambassador program. We love seeing the results of the Ambassadors' hard work in January. Learn more about the program at downtownroanoke.org!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Today is #SaferInternetDay. Have you heard of financial sextortion? It's an online exploitation crime directed toward youth, but anyone at any age can be a victim. The offender will threaten and blackmail the victim, demanding payment 'or else.' If this is happening or has happened to you, talk to someone you trust and get help!"(Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Government: "Today, Dr. Verletta White, superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools, is joining us to highlight Lucy Addison as we recognize and celebrate Black history in the City of Roanoke." (City of Roanoke Government via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop for this Thursday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update bright and early! And be careful of racing goats out there. 🐐🐐🐐

— 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