🌱 Hollins Library To Be Replaced + RCPS Safety Training Event Held

Hello all. It's me, Ian, your host of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Here's the Sunday Edition with what's happening locally. Let's goooo!

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and warm. High: 72 Low: 47.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke County has replaced three of its six library locations and a fourth, Mount Pleasant, is being renovated now. The next library set for an upgrade is the Hollins Library on Peters Creek Road and Roanoke County is inviting Hollins area residents to participate in the process of designing the new library using a survey. HBM Architects, a Cleveland, Ohio based firm specializing in public buildings, has been hired to help the county design the project, which is being described as a state of-the-art project that proposes to include inviting public spaces and everything from books, music, and movies to the latest technology. The project is expected to begin in 2024 with a completion date in 2026. The survey can be found here. (Roanoke Star)
2. Roanoker Farrah Manns has turned her passion into a business and hopes to help the Star City community through her fashion. During the pandemic, Manns started Jane '88, an online clothing and accessories store, and will be hosting a fashion show called 'On The Edge Of Spring' on April 15. "I wanted to make a difference in my community by hosting my very first fashion show, where we will give back to a local nonprofit organization that helps with domestic violence,” Manns said. Tickets to the event can be purchased here and you can visit Jane '88's online store here. (WSLS)
3. Emergency situations have unfortunately become a regular reality for schools so Roanoke City Public Schools hosts an annual staff safety training to insure staff members are equipped to handle to handle such situations. The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office and the Roanoke City Police Department both assisted in facilitating the event, leading participants from all of the area schools and administration buildings in a simulated emergency situation in order to practice response strategies and clarify responsibilities and roles. Lockdown and evacuation drills were also conducted. (WSET)
4. A Roanoke man charged in a shooting inside the Peters Creek Road Food Lion store was granted bond on Wednesday. Kemonte A. Cooper, 28, is charged with shooting in a public place causing injury, shooting in an occupied building, carrying a concealed weapon, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, aggravated malicious wounding stemming from the Feb. 4 incident. According to CCTV video shown by prosecutors in court, the incident began when Cooper entered the store and found his ex-girlfriend and her male companion checking out their groceries. He approached the pair, words were exchanged, and the other male attacked Cooper leading to a short physical altercation that ended in Cooper pulling a concealed firearm and shooting the man. Cooper stayed at the scene, has been cooperative with police, and was declared by the judge to not be a flight risk or a risk to the community. He was granted a $25,000 bond. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

• SPRING Home Show at the Salem Civic Center (Noon)
• 'Jersey Boys' at the Mill Mountain Theatre (2 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at Berglund Center (3 p.m.)
• Nefesh Mountain at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "This American Robin was caught by multiple cats and by the time her rescuer got to her she was almost entirely bald on her lower half and was missing the majority of her wing feathers. That amount of feather loss and injury was a long shot at saving her and it took since November for this bird to be fit enough to be released. But thanks to her rescuer and us, she was returned back home to live another day!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "The Historic City Market in Downtown Roanoke has unofficially started up for the season! Come down on Saturday and you'll find bedding plants, vegetable plants, and crafts. If you get a green thumb, make sure you have a way to bring your plants inside if it gets cold again!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)
• Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges: "We are SO excited to announce that the Eric Wayne Band will be opening for Jo Dee Messina on May 20th!! 😍 Get your tickets here now!" (Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "What a fabulous opening night at Best in Show! We’ve got many more photos to come, but check out some of the winners with their amazing pieces! Thanks to everyone for coming out, and we hope to see you at the show this weekend!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "This warm weekend calls for brunch! 😍 Here are just a few of the incredible spots where you can experience the morning/afternoon goodness! ✨️" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)

That's it for today! See you tomorrow for your next 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