🌱 Old Viscose Plant To Be Redeveloped + Catawba Hospital Renovation

Hello, everybody! It's time for the Roanoke Daily, filled with all the things happening locally, including updates on...

• Woman arrested in January murder
• Woman arrested in Troutville shooting
• Labor union officer sentenced for embezzlement

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Occasional rain and a t-storm. High: 60 Low: 42.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. At Tuesday night's city council meeting, a new project was unveiled that could transform the massive and mostly abandoned industrial area at the base of Mill Mountain into a thriving part of the city. The former American Viscose plant, which sits on approximately 75 acres and once employed 5,500 people in the 1920s and 30s, is being purchased by Ed Walker, a Roanoke area developer known for rehabilitating and reimagining historic industrial properties. The potential economic impact of the project is estimated at over $300 million, but Walker cautions it will not be a quick turnaround. "It’s just going to take a lot of money, a lot of talent, a lot of time," he said. He expects to close on the sale of the property in April and said the project will feature a mixture apartments, commercial spaces, and industrial tenants. The project will now go before the Economic Development Authority for a vote. (WSLS, Cardinal News)
2. A 48-year-old Roanoke woman, Charlotte R. Saunders, was arrested and charged with second degree murder after being identified as a suspect in a shooting that occurred on Jan. 8. The fatal shooting happened at a home on the 800 block of 30th Street NW where a man, whose name has not yet been released, was found dead. Saunders was located and questioned by detectives on Jan. 14 after which she was arrested and charged. (WDBJ)
3. A former labor union officer was sentenced to six months in prison for embezzling almost $40,000 dollars from the Transportation Communications Union Lodge 6061, a now defunct labor union that represented freight car employees. Albert Jennings, Jr. was accused of taking the money over a five-year period and the lodge was forced to disband as a result of his actions. Prosecutors sought a federally recommended sentence for Jennings in accordance with a plea deal reached with Jennings' attorney, but U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen disagreed and sentenced him to more. Jennings will also do 300 hours of community service and two years of supervised probation when he's released. (Roanoke Times)
4. A Troutville woman, Rhonda Hinkley, 50, was arrested after allegedly shooting her husband during a domestic violence incident on Westview Road in downtown Troutville. Deputies responded to a 911 call from Mrs. Hinkley and found her standing in her driveway with her hands up when they arrived. Her husband, Walter Hinkley, 49, was lying nearby with a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was taken to Lewis-Gale Hospital for treatment, but no further information has been released on his condition. Mrs. Hinkley was taken to the Botetourt-Craig Regional Jail. She is being held without bond and is charged with malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. (WDBJ)
5. A study commissioned by the Virginia state legislature on the future of Catawba Hospital in a rural part of Roanoke County will require an estimated investment of $240 million dollars. According to recent reports delivered by John Littel, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the renovation would serve a growing need for an opioid treatment center with an estimated 35-55 percent of patients in current mental health facilities said to also have substance abuse disorders. "It should be noted that every dollar spent on increasing access to care for substance use disorders results in a savings of $11, $4 in health care costs and $7 in criminal justice costs," the study says in part. (Roanoke Times)

Today in Roanoke:

• Jolene Jamboree: A Dolly Parton Birthday Celebration at Golden Cactus Brewing (5 p.m.)
• Roanoke County School Board Meeting at RCPS Administration Building (6 p.m.)
• 3rd Thursday Open Mic at 3rd Street Coffeehouse (6:45 p.m.)
• R&B Karaoke at 2 Chill Restaurant (7 p.m.)
• The Honey Dewdrops with Charissa Joy at The Spot on Kirk (7:30 p.m.)
• Timewave Zero at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "✨GIVEAWAY✨ We're doing multiple giveaways on social media as we gear up for Restaurant Week. For this giveaway, we will be awarding a $100 Downtown Roanoke Gift Card to one lucky winner who likes this post and comments on it telling us their favorite food. This can be a type of food or a specific food item. A winner will be chosen tomorrow morning." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)
• Roanoke College: "James Suleyman, a criminal justice and sociology double major, was nominated for the outstanding student title by his peers and professors in the Lutheran College Washington Semester (LCWS) program. Congratulations, James!" (Roanoke College via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Happy birthday, Betty White! 🎂 Betty was a loving advocate of animals of all shapes and size throughout her life. What a wonderful way to honor her memory by continuing the #BettyWhiteChallenge by making a donation to your favorite nonprofit — us!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Happy birthday, Betty! Betty White, best known for her roles on the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Golden Girls, would be 101 years young today. Sadly, she passed away on December 31, 2021, just shy of her 100th birthday. In addition to her amazing career in show business, Betty was also a true advocate for animals, being quoted as saying, 'Animals are near and dear to my heart, and I've devoted my life to trying to improve their lives.'" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• City of Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority: "Looking for a 2, 3, or 4-bedroom apartment? The waitlist for Lansdowne Park opened this morning. You can apply from now until Feb. 3. Click here to begin your application!" (City of Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority via Facebook)

There you have it! Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another Roanoke Daily!

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— 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