🌱 Largest Ever Housing Project Goes Forward + First Fatal Shooting

Good morning and happy Hump Day! Here's a fresh copy of the Roanoke Daily with all the tools and information (a.k.a community news) you need to know for today's journey up the peaks of productivity, including updates on:

• LewisGale surgery center makes the cut
• Biomedical facility gets huge grant (no, not Hugh Grant autocorrect. Sorry.)
• Restaurant Week coming soon

Onward!

But first, today's weather:

Some sunshine.

High: 49 Low: 39.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. A proposed housing development along Orange Avenue, that's been billed as the largest ever constructed in Roanoke, went back before the Roanoke City Planning Commision Monday. The proposal includes 16, four-story buildings and 5.6 acres for future commercial use in addition to 768 apartments. Daniel Cyrus, a representative of TPB Enterprises, the company proposing the project, said, "That kind of all speaks towards us trying to put forth a project that has a kind of density to address the housing concerns that our community currently faces." There were only a few minor opposing statements, mostly related to traffic, which the firm laid to rest with a detailed review of their plan and in the end the commission voted to move the project forward. The next step will be taking the project in front of city council. (WSLS)
2. LewisGale Medical Center announced on Monday that its bariatric surgery center located on LewisGale's Braeburn Drive campus near Salem has been accredited as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP.) The MBSAQIP organization publishes a set of standards that ensure centers are offering a multifaceted approach to weight loss care that includes options other than surgery and that patients who do receive surgery are cared for both pre-surgery and post-surgery. "To earn the MBSAQIP designation, LewisGale Medical Center is meeting essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure, and protocols for care, ensuring our ability to support patients with severe obesity,” said Darren Glass, a board-certified general and bariatric surgeon with LewisGale Physicians. More information on LewisGale's center can be found here. (WSET, Roanoker)
3. The first fatal shooting of 2023 in Roanoke occurred Sunday night. The call went out to police at 9:40 p.m. and they responded to the 800 block of 30th Street NW. Officers found a man unresponsive inside a residence and Roanoke Fire EMS pronounced him dead at the scene of a gunshot wound. The victim's name was not released pending notification of his family and police are asking anyone with information to come forward. No arrests have been made, no suspects located, and police are actively investigating. The shooting marks a continuation of a troubling upward trend in violence in the Star City, particularly in the northwest quadrant. (WDBJ, Roanoke Times)
4. Researchers at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute received an early Christmas gift at the beginning of December, a FLIM-FRET fast imaging system (that's a powerful microscope to the rest of us.) The new equipment will enable them to better analyze complex structures and functions in a number of the institute’s research areas including neuroscience. "This next generation instrumentation will greatly enhance the ability of multiple research teams at the institute and across the Virginia Tech campus," said Michael Friedlander, vice president for health sciences and technology and executive director of the institute. The purchase was made possible by a $1 million grant through the Health Resources and Service Administration, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Roanoke Star)
5. Downtown Roanoke's 2023 Restaurant Week will begin on Jan. 20 and will offer some good deals at local eateries. Downtown Roanoke Inc. has shared prices and menus in advance so you can make plans accordingly. All lunches will be $10 during the event and will include an entree, side, drink, and dessert. Three-course dinners will be offered for $25, $35, and $50, depending on the restaurant. Participating restaurants include Social House, Beamer’s, and Corned Beef & Co. and Downtown Roanoke Inc. will be giving away $1,000 worth of Downtown Roanoke gift cards through their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Shuttle to Snowshoe at Roanoke Mountain Adventures (6 a.m.)
• Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art (5:15 p.m.)
• Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates meeting at Roanoke City Council (5:30 p.m.)
• Brew-HA-HA Open Mic Night at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6:30 p.m.)
• Joint Operation at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Thank you! The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center recently received a VERY generous grant from Roanoke Women's Foundation. We are truly honored and touched by the support shown for our cause and mission!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "It's a new year and lots of families met their new best friends last week! Thank you to everyone who adopted pets this past week!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Please join us in welcoming Class 33 to the Roanoke Valley Regional Recruit School! The chiefs of the local departments joined them this morning to kick off the first day of their 22-week journey." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges: "👀 Big Cundiff Heating & Air Conditioning Flashback announcement TODAY! Make sure you’re the first to know who is coming to Dr Pepper Park by signing up for our eblast list! 📲" (Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Tonight, we’re thankful for our friends Corporate Image Barber Shop! This afternoon, a group of men and women that visit the Main Library were gifted a free haircut from Corporate Image Barbershop. We love having such wonderful partnerships!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• Botetourt County: "What would your business look like if you gave yourself the gift of TIME to work ON your business? Time to focus on yourself as an owner, to fill yourself up and inspire a year of growth for your business? In partnership with the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center, we invite you to join us on January 24th and give yourself the gift of time to work on your business. We'll spend our time together setting the foundation for your best year of growth yet!" (Botetourt County via Facebook)

That's it for today! You're all caught up. I'll see you on the other side of the mountain with a new 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com