🌱 ‘It’s Right Here’ Explores The Arts + Teen Apprenticeship Graduates

Hello all! It's time for the Saturday edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter with what's happening in town. Today you'll learn about...

• Daleville Town Center sees additional growth.
• Salem woman's killer sentenced.
• Caribbica Soul celebrates six years of Caribbean food in Roanoke.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Humid with a thundershower. High: 81 Low: 63.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Christopher Lee Elliott, the man charged in connection with the murder of Jessica Dickson, a Salem woman whose remains were discovered on the campus of Hollins University two years ago, has been sentenced. Elliott received a 40-year sentence, with 20 years suspended, meaning he will spend the next two decades in prison. Dickson was reported missing in 2019, and her remains were found on the Hollins University campus in February 2021, despite her not being affiliated with the school. Elliott was arrested and charged in connection with her death approximately a year later. He recently decided to take a plea deal, leading to his sentencing of 20 years in prison, followed by five years of probation. (WSLS, WFXR)
2. The Daleville Town Center in Botetourt County is experiencing significant growth and expansion, leading to positive economic outcomes for the local area. Various businesses and services are being added, including a Dairy Queen, amenities at the Food Lion shopping center, and a new Hampton Inn. This development has been a long-term endeavor, spanning almost two decades. The center currently generates around $1 million in real estate taxes annually. Moreover, the county as a whole has seen notable progress, with over 1,200 new jobs created since 2016, resulting in an additional $50 million in payroll for the local and regional economy each year. Despite concerns about increased traffic, county officials assure that appropriate measures are being taken to address congestion issues, and the community is optimistic about the growth. (WSLS)
3. A special ceremony took place at the Berglund Center in Roanoke to celebrate 11 young individuals who graduated from the city's Teen Apprenticeship Program. This program was developed as a result of the efforts made by the Roanoke Gun Violence Prevention Commission. The teenagers underwent several weeks of training and will now work in various city departments over the summer. Angelia Vernon, the director of Human Resources in Roanoke, expressed that the program targets youth with potential rather than labeling them as at-risk, aiming to provide them with opportunities for success within the community. With this latest graduation, a total of 37 young people have completed the apprenticeship program, and the city plans to enroll another group in the upcoming fall. (WDBJ)
4. The Roanoke Cultural Endowment and the Roanoke Arts Commission, in partnership with various organizations, are spearheading an initiative to harness the power of the arts for community development in Roanoke. As part of this effort, a six-part television series called "BUZZ" is being produced, which explores the role of the arts in promoting wellness, student engagement, collaboration, and social impact. Artists are encouraged to watch the episodes and listen to the song "It's Here," by Bryan "Harvest Blaque" Hancock, JP Powell, and collaborators, as a means to showcase Roanoke's artistic significance. Additionally, there is a paid opportunity called "A Call for Portraits" for artists of all disciplines to create original portraits of talented residents and business owners in Roanoke. The application deadline for this opportunity is July 12 at midnight, and interested individuals can find more details and apply at https://roanokearts.org/here/. (WFXR)
5. Caribbica Soul has been serving Caribbean-infused soul food to the community for six years. To celebrate their accomplishments, they are organizing a block party called 'Caribbica Fest' on June 24. Co-owner Arton Williams discussed the importance of offering diverse cuisine and adding new items to their menu. Williams expressed his happiness at the growth of Caribbica Soul over the years. The event will feature live music with a mix of soca, R&B, Afro beats, and reggae, showcasing Caribbean culture. Various artists and performers will be present, including Lazy Band Dub Man, Dj Kenzee, Travares Tv, and Ms. Virginia East Coast USA, Brandi Lazare. The event will take place regardless of the weather conditions. Caribbica Soul is known for its authentic spices sourced from countries like Belize, Jamaica, and Mexico to provide a unique and flavorful dining experience. (WFXR)

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Today in Roanoke:

Saturday, June 24

• Star City Motor Madness Car Show in downtown Roanoke (10 a.m.)
• Artist Pop Ups at La De Da (11 a.m.)
• Caribbica Fest presented by Caribbica Soul (6 p.m.)
• Phat Anchovies and GOTE at The Spot on Kirk (8 p.m.)
• Akita at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department: "MISSING PERSON Roanoke Detectives need your help locating 54-year-old Jerry Saunders. Jerry’s family last had contact with him on June 1, 2023. They have not spoken to or seen him since then." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Our shelter is full of creative staff and volunteers, so we're doing a little pit of a pawsome picture purge. We thought you might get a kick out of these photo dump photos like we did!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "We have the best supporters in the world and Miss Blue Ridge is no exception. She joined us for our very first 'wildly' successful golf tournament, Birdies fore Birdies!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Sedalia Center: "Hey everyone! Looking for some fun this weekend? Come join us for a weekend of top-notch bluegrass music at the Doc McCabe Bluegrass Festival! We've got an incredible lineup of musicians, delicious local food vendors, and fun!" (Sedalia Center via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today.

— 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