🌱 Names Released In Home Fire + City Council Approves Brandon Village

Hello, everybody and happy Hump Day! Hopefully you've scored some time off around this time a year and maybe Hump Day's not as big of a deal this week. Anyways, here's the Wednesday edition of the Roanoke Daily, filled with stories about what's going on in town, including updates on:

• A new ice cream shop in Botetourt
• Area AirBNB host named best in state
• An familiar voice returns with a new purpose

Ready?

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun.

High: 47 Low: 31.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. A former K92 and Star Country radio host known on air as David Lee, whose real name David Hamblin, has returned to the Roanoke area in a new capacity: as a master dog trainer. Hamblin moved to North Carolina to pursue his lifelong passion with dogs by becoming a dog trainer and after being asked by many in Roanoke to help with their dogs, decided to move back and open Highland Canine Training Roanoke. He offers classes ranging from puppies to adult dogs in need of behavior modifications. Hamblin said his motivation is a "lifelong love of dogs and wanting to make people's relationships with their dogs so much better." (WFIR)
2. The residential fire in the Brookside area in which a woman was found dead, an update was later posted revealing both the identity of the victim and of her suspected killer. The victim was identified as 35-year-old Cierra Easley and court documents filed in Roanoke Circuit Court reveal her alleged killer to be 24-year-old Marquis Xavier Blue, who lived in the same row of Darby Road duplexes and is being held without bond. A neighbor said the victim has two children, though it is not readily apparent whether they are with family or in the care of Roanoke Social Services. (WSLS)
3. Roanoke City Council met Monday night for its last meeting before the new year and before newly elected members will join and granted approval to a much-maligned Brandon Avenue housing project. Developer Robert Fralin won zoning approval after offering a scaled down version of his company's plan for Brandon Village, a townhome development that will now feature 29 two story, side-by-side residences on a 7-acre parcel of wooded land located on Brandon Avenue between Towers Shopping Mall and Brambleton Avenue. The approved plan calls for the development to be limited to the front three acres of the property with the remaining acreage staying undeveloped and requires the project to be vetted by stormwater and flooding experts. (Roanoke Times)
4. Popular short term homestay company AirBNB has named a Roanoke area host and home the number one new listing in Virginia for 2022. Host Allison and her home in the Hollins area of Roanoke County have received 127 reviews and hold a 4.9 star rating on the broker's website. The criteria to be named No. 1 includes achieving super host status and having the highest number of check-ins. Allison's listing says her property is a "renovated 1950s charmer located in a quiet Roanoke County neighborhood [and] will offer you both comfort and ultra-convenience." (WSET)
5. The Daleville area of Botetourt County has a brand-new ice cream shop located directly across from Lord Botetourt High School in Botetourt Plaza. Mimi's Ice Cream opened for business on Dec. 10 and has already been making social media waves in the underserved market. Owners Mindy Roberts and Josh Smith said, "We wanted to give to the community something they didn’t have. We’re super excited for Botetourt to finally have an ice cream shop." (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Wasena Last Minute Market at Roanoke Mountain Adventures (4 p.m.)
• Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art (5:15 p.m.)
• BINGO at Franklin County Distilleries (6 p.m.)
• Views and Brews presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures (6 p.m.)
• Josh Clark’s Visible Spectrum at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "This young male Cedar Waxwing hit a window and is recovering from a head injury, like the majority of the birds we have admitted lately. His rescuers did the right thing and called us after finding him unable to fly." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Botetourt County Sheriff's Office: "Happy Holidays, Blue Ridge! Anyone happen to have some hair gel I can borrow? You see I have been on the run for a couple of days in the Webster Heights area. A wonderful family took me in and fostered me for a couple of days and tried to fin d my family. Unfortunately no one has claimed me so animal control has taken me to the RCACP Shelter in Roanoke for safe keeping." (Botetourt County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Congratulations to the winners of our inaugural staff Gingerbread House Contest held at Central Office! All of the houses turned out amazing, and we love everyone’s creativity!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "We would like to take a moment to recognize Captain Muse for the great presentation she provided at the 2nd annual ConnectHER conference last week hosted by the Roanoke Regional Chamber." (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Market Building: "We need your vote! Some of our fantastic members have decorated Christmas trees within the City Market Building . Who's your favorite?" (Roanoke City Market Building via Facebook)

Alrighty. You're all caught up for today! I'll see you tomorrow morning!

— 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