🌱 Human Trafficking Course This Week + 'Hot Knots' Sell Out At Debut

Anyone ready for the Hump Day edition of the Roanoke Patch newsletter? Good! Then let's get to it and get this quick dive into what's happening in town done with so we can hit the mountain. Today's update includes:

• Roanoke man's trial set for death of young girl
• Local love story adapted for the stage
• Speeding vehicle hits home on 10th Street NW

But first, today's weather: Partial sunshine. High: 57 Low: 31.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Roanoke Main Library downtown will be hosting a course on human trafficking at 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon featuring Diego Luque, campaign specialist with the Department of Homeland Security. Attendees will learn from Luque about Campaign Blue, the DHS public awareness campaign to put an end to human trafficking, and how to understand, identify, and prevent the different kinds of trafficking that happen. "You only think about it in Lifetime movies and things of that nature, but people need to start thinking about it in their everyday lives and looking out for signs and maybe helping someone that needs help. It's very important in Roanoke and everywhere," said Charlsie Parker with Roanoke City Libraries. You can learn more about the Blue Campaign here. The course will be held both in person and virtually. (WDBJ)
2. Botetourt County Historical Society and Attic Productions have teamed up to present a stage adaptation of a local love story that occurred in Fincastle in the late 1800s. 'Dear Nannie' is based on the 2013 book 'Dear Nannie ... yours devotedly, Charlie' by Gail McMillan and Jean Robbins and tells the story of Ann Godwin and Charles Figgat through a series of letters that were written between the two lovers for many years. "This concept has been a long time in the works and we are just so excited to finally be able to have this idea come to life," said BCHS Executive Director Lynsey Allie. Showings are April 14–16 and 21-23 with Friday and Saturday showings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. (Roanoker Magazine)
3. The 32-year-old Roanoke man accused of killing a young girl in January has been given a trial date of Sept. 18. Officials said the trial of Jonathan S. Anderson is expected to last two days. Anderson stands accused of first degree murder in the death of a girl found unresponsive in a residence on the 2100 block of Russell Avenue SW on Jan. 21. Investigators with the Roanoke City Police Department said Anderson was found at the home with the girl and three other juveniles and that the girl's injuries were not accidental as he tried to tell them. The girl was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where she later passed away from her injuries. Anderson was released on a $50,000 cash bond on Feb. 23. (WSLS)
4. Speeding vehicles have been a concern for many residents along 10th Street NW for a while now, but at 1:30 a.m. Saturday night that concern turned to terror when a vehicle ran through an intersection and crashed into a home. The speed limit on 10th Street NW is 25 mph, but the relatively straight road seems to encourage much higher speeds. "People come through here, you know, just flying. It’s gonna be hard for me to come here and sit and watch TV now because I’m worried about a vehicle coming through and maybe running us over," said homeowner Ashley Billy Moore whose home was hit by the speeding vehicle. CCTV of the area shows the driver running through the intersection, crashing into the Moore house, and then walking away along Greenhurst Avenue NW. Police confirmed the matter is being investigated as a hit-and-run and that they did not find the driver at the scene of the incident. (WDBJ)
5. A couple who met at Golden Cactus Brewing on 5th Street in Roanoke has launched a new business called 'Hot Knots' featuring Bavarian style pretzels and pretzel sandwiches. Maggie Perrin-Key and Alex Eliades are co-owners of the startup and recently sold out of their new creation where it all began for them at Golden Cactus. "Alex made pretzels for Bread Craft every October. Last year, he did pretzel sandwiches, too. And I said ‘These are really good. You need to make these available all the time.' It was about two weeks later, I said, ‘Babe, why don’t we start a pretzel business? Would you like to start a pretzel business?" recalls Perrin-Key. The couple is planning future pop-up style events and you can follow their salty, golden journey here. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates Meeting at Williams Road Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Book Talk with Margaret Edds at Book No Further (6:30 p.m.)
• Brew Ha-Ha at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6:30 p.m.)
• Comedy Bingo at Twin Creeks Brewery (6:30 p.m.)
• Dead Billionaires at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Chatty checkup! This female yellow-breasted Chat was caught by a cat last year but has had to stay at the Center because she missed migration. While the rest of her species spends time in the tropics, she just finished her recovery!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Public Schools: "Normally, we include additional time in the calendar to account for snow days, however, with this winter’s lack of snow thus far, we haven’t had much need for those snow days. We have asked the school board to give our students and staff an additional day off on Monday, April 10. This will give our families a nice four-day weekend around the Easter holiday." (Roanoke County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office was happy to go and offer encouragement and meals to those in the academy last Thursday. Congrats to everyone who passed DT training and a special GREAT JOB to all of our deputies for supporting each other!" (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "The light in Black Dog Salvage 's shop is 😍 Did you know? They're the home of the hit TV show Salvage Dawgs, as seen on the DIY Network! Shop with them online or visit in person, right here in Virginia's Blue Ridge❤️!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Grab some green and join us for the Freedom First St. Patrick's Day Parade & Shamrock Festival this Saturday, March 11! We've created an Insider's Guide to compile all the information you need to know prior to heading downtown!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: "Not only is it Women's History Month, but it's also Women in Aviation Worldwide Week! 🛫🛬🛩 This week is a time to recognize the important role of women in the field of aviation, to encourage young women to consider careers in this spectacular field, and to honor the women who have made significant contributions to the history of it all." (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 14th and 15th at South County Library in Roanoke (March 14)
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Alrighty — ready to take a hike now? Good. Sherpa out. 😁

— 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