🌱 Man Sentenced In Valley View Stabbing + Inclusion Zoning In Roanoke

Hey there fellow Roanokers! It's time for the Groundhog Day edition of the Roanoke Daily! Here is everything fit to print in the local news, including...

• New swim school partners with area senior community
• Rescue Mission in need of volunteers
• Transportation Museum one step closer to being a state agency

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 48 Low: 35.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke City Council is considering an affordability mandate for all future housing developments in the city called an inclusionary zoning ordinance. The idea was floated at the last city council meeting and would decree that a certain percentage of a housing developments homes be deemed affordable. According to the 2021 Census, the median income in Roanoke is just shy of $48,500 a year, which would make an affordable housing payment approximately $1,200 including utilities by one definition, though there are several. Councilman Peter Volosin said, "What we could do with inclusionary zoning is mandate certain levels of affordability. On the flip side of that, in Virginia, we have to give them an incentive. We have to give them either a density bonus or a faster permitting process, something like that." The plan is expected to be approved in the coming months, but already approved developments would not have to comply. (WDBJ)
2. The Rescue Mission of Roanoke is in need of volunteers to help with the increasing demand for its services. The need is greatest at lunchtime between the hours of 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. "We serve a large percentage of the homeless population here in Roanoke, so there is a bit of a bang for your buck or bang for your time in terms of coming here to volunteer because you know you are impacting a large percentage of that population here at the Rescue Mission,” said Kevin Berry, director of Marketing and Communications for the mission. Volunteers are also needed to act as sorters for donated goods at the 2nd Helping and Thrift 460 stores. The call comes as another area ministry dedicated to the homeless — Trust House — closed its doors for good. (WSLS, WDBJ)
3. A bill sponsored by state senator John Edwards (D - Roanoke) and introduced in the 2023 General Assembly session has cleared an important hurdle in granting state agency status to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. The bill passed the Senate Finance Committee with a unanimous vote of 15 -0 and will now move on to the full senate where amendments may be made, or it could be approved and sent to the House of Delegates. Edwards and his supporters are working behind the scenes to ensure funding is in the state budget for the museum should the bill become law. "I might point out that the Virginia Museum of Transportation is already the official museum of transportation in Virginia. It’s just not a state agency," Edwards said to the Senate Finance Committee before they voted on the bill. (WDBJ)
4. A Roanoke man who stabbed a woman at the Valley View Walmart last spring as she was shopping was sentence to 15 years in prison in a circuit court session Tuesday. Attorneys for Josue "Antonio" Acosta, 20, said he was homeless and mentally ill at the time of the attack and called his mother as a chief character witness. Acosta's mother said he was diagnosed with a mood disorder at the age of seven and a counselor who saw him for several years said he had a history of mental illness including an attack on his grandfather. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Andrew Stephens prosecuted the case, which included a CCTV video of the incident and testimony from the victim who survived the attack. "We see violence all the time in this courtroom. The problem today is that this is horrifying. It is random and it is sudden," Stephens said. Acosta's sentence will be suspended after he serves five years. (Roanoke Times)
5. British Swim School of the Roanoke Valley is a recent addition to the area that offers swim lessons for all ages and has announced a partnership with Brandon Oaks Life Plan Community to offer a unique survival and stroke recovery program to Roanoke families. The collaboration has Brandon Oaks acting as a home pool to British Swim School using their warm saltwater pool in their Health & Vitality Center. Heather Pruitt, director of Life Enrichment at Brandon Oaks, said "Our residents love seeing others from the community around Brandon Oaks. Also, they are excited to see our pool utilized to teach children and adults alike learning water safety and survival skills. Many of them have either taken advantage of an adult class or enrolled their grandchildren who live locally." (The Roanoker)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Music Bingo at Twisted Track Brewpub (6:30 p.m.)
• R&B Karaoke at 2 Chill Restaurant (7 p.m.)
  
• Seven Teller at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke County Public Schools: "Congratulations to Rory Grant, 5th grade student at Bonsack Elementary School! He won the 2023 Roanoke County Spelling Bee after correctly spelling 'phalanges.'" (Roanoke County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "The Horned Grebe who is recovering from a broken wing is still recovering but is doing well! This patient has to have frequent water changes to make sure the waterproofing of his feathers stays pristine, but he's not a big fan of waiting." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "Wanna go full GOAT this year at the @blueridgemarathon? Due to high demand, we are currently accepting entries for a lotto drawing for the remaining 10 spots (deadline Feb. 3). The FULL GOAT is 101 road miles of epic elevation!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "How handsome is this boy? If you are looking for a happy, friendly and active young dog, Rocky fits the bill! He loves to play fetch, chase, and with squeaky balls and tug toys. Plus, he's a smarty pants too!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges: "We have two new employees here at Dr Pepper Park and we need help naming them! What do you think their names should be? If your name is chosen, you’ll win 2 🎫 to see Badfish - Sublime Tribute at Dr Pepper Park on June 16!" (Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'm hoping the groundhog does me right today because I'm ready to move on to spring. 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com