🌱 New Restaurant To Open 'On The Hill' + New Downtown Coworking Space

Hello and Happy Sunday, Roanokers! Here's a look at what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny, breezy and colder. High: 43 Low: 25.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. A teenager who went missing in Bedford County last week may be in Roanoke authorities say. 16-year-old Noah Barber was last seen in the area of Bedford County closest to Vinton on March 12 and is to believed to have been heading to Southeast Roanoke. Anyone with any information on Barber's whereabouts is asked to call Investigator Alderson at (540) 586-4800 ext. 4061 or Bedford County dispatch at (540) 586-7827. (WDBJ)
2. Roanoke County has temporarily suspended their recycling program after a fire broke out in the facility of their recycling contractor, Recycling and Disposal Solutions. The building is located at the corner of Hitech Road and Enon Drive just off Plantation Road and sustained an unknown amount of damage early Friday morning. Until further notice, all Roanoke County drop-off trailers will be removed and a sign placed explaining the situation. (WDBJ)
3. The easily recognizable building of the former Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine atop a hill off Electric Road has new owners in Roger Neel and Neal Keesee, the pair behind other beloved Roanoke eateries including Billy’s, 202 Social House, and Frankie Rowlands. Neel and Keesee said they plan to open an establishment called OTH Chop House and Oyster Bar, which will focus on fresh seafood, a raw bar, and high-end cuts of meat. The OTH in the name stands for On The Hill and the restaurant is expected to open in May. (WSLS)
4. A new mental health practice called Tandem Behavioral Health has opened in Roanoke and officially started seeing patients on Feb. 1. The facility offers the first outpatient substance abuse program for adults in the area and received its licensure after rising to a late 2022 call to action from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services. "There was more need for this program than there were available facilities so we answered that call and got the licensure started and got licensed in the end of January," said Chief Executive Officer Lakieshia Swain. The company is planning a grand opening for March 25, but an address for the facility was not provided. (WSLS)
5. Downtown Roanoke will soon be the sight of a brand new coworking space called The Quarters, the first of its kind in the downtown area. The building is located at 351 Campbell Ave. SW across from the Roanoke City Police Department and will feature 3,200 sq. ft. of open space, personal offices, and conference rooms when renovations are completed. "Most people who live downtown live in relatively small apartments. And so working out of a relatively small apartment five days a week and living there, it can be a bit much and it’s also isolating. This allows people to work in an office environment, be around others, meet people maybe that they wouldn’t meet in their regular network and create a sense of community," said owner Bill Chapman. The Quarters is accepting memberships and you can learn more by clicking here. (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

• 'Jersey Boys' - Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke FireEMS Department: "We hope you're ready to start your weekend with a smile, because it's time to meet London! Station 2, C shift, were the hosts of our newest friend from Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection today, and got to enjoy the company of a..." (Roanoke FireEMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Our Community Cat Crew volunteers braved the rain, wind, and snow last weekend in their endeavor to help outside kitties. Due to their a-MEOW-zing efforts, 16 cats were spayed/neutered and vaccinated for rabies, and returned to their lov..." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "SOLD OUT!!! THANK YOU to everyone who purchased tickets to see Darius Rucker at the Budweiser Summer Series at Elmwood Park! A portion of all tickets sold will go to The Life Ring Foundation’s Fighting Kids’ Cancer initiative. Visit life..." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department - VA: "We would like to thank our friends at the Gainsboro YMCA for hosting a fish fry today, treating our officers to a wonderful meal and supporting at risk youth in our community." (Roanoke Police Department - VA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Our friend Lilla just celebrated her 8th birthday, and instead of asking for presents, she decided to collect donations for the animals at the Roanoke Valley SPCA! Lilla and her dad dropped off all their food, toys, dog beds, and monetar..." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Did you know that female cats can go into heat and get pregnant when they are 4 months old? After that first heat cycle, the cat will go back into heat every 2-3 weeks until she gets spayed or gets pregnant! As you might imagine, it’s ..." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for another 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com