🌱 Olde Salem Days Returns + Virtual Town Hall On School Bus Issues

Hello there, Roanoke! I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on what's going on around town. In today's issue, you'll find news about:

• Judge accused of trading sex for help in murder case.
• 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb returns to the Star City.
• Roanoke City Schools implements clear bag policy at upcoming sporting events.

Let's motor! 🚗

But first, today's weather: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 85 Low: 66.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. A Roanoke woman, Grace Church, was desperate to help her son Timothy Mwandi Church who was on trial for murder, so she met with Judge Onzlee Ware. Ware, she said, coerced her into having sex with him multiple times by promising he would influence the presiding judge and get her son a light sentence. However, after her son was sentenced to 40 years, Ware cut off contact. Church's son has now filed an appeal alleging Ware had an inappropriate relationship with his mother and ineffective counsel failed to introduce evidence of his mental health issues, asking the court to release communications between Ware, the presiding judge, and his attorneys. (Subscription: Roanoke Times)
2. Saturday marks the 43rd annual Olde Salem Days festival in downtown Salem, which will feature over 275 arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, live music, and an auto show. The festival runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., has free admission, and provides parking and shuttle services from the Salem Civic Center. Organizers say the event is a great opportunity to visit historic downtown Salem and enjoy the day with friends and family. (WDBJ)
3. After weeks of transportation issues causing students to be late for school, Roanoke City Public Schools held a virtual town hall meeting to address parent and staff concerns. The city explained that their bus provider, Durham School Services, needs more drivers, having only 99 out of 119 needed to run all routes on time; the school division has tried to remedy lateness by splitting routes, but that requires more drivers, further exacerbating the shortage. Durham is fined for each instance of buses running late, with the fines deducted from their contract amount. (WSLS)
4. Saturday, the Roanoke community will gather for the 9th annual Roanoke 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb event. Participants honor fallen first responders by climbing the Wells Fargo tower five times while wearing a tag with the name of a firefighter, police officer, or EMT who died on 9/11; the 110 stories represent the World Trade Center towers' height, and participants ring a bell and read the name after completing the climb. The proceeds from the event benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which supports families of firefighters who died in the line of duty. So far they have raised $20,000 of their $25,000 goal through climber registration fees and donations. (WFXR)
5. Starting Sept. 8, Roanoke City Public Schools is implementing new safety procedures for ticketed athletic events. The new policy includes requiring clear bags and prohibiting outside drinks; clear bags allow contents to be visible while banned items like backpacks, purses, coolers, weapons, bikes, etc. will not be permitted; the no outside drinks rule prohibits spectators from bringing drinks into venues. The policies will be enforced at ticket gates and aim to keep families safe during the athletic season. (WSET)

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Today in Roanoke:

Friday, September 8

• Roanoke Run for Refugees 5K starting at Wasena Park (6 p.m.)
• Tand at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (7:30 p.m.)
• Fiesta Fridays Social at Inka Grille (8 p.m.)
• Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "PSA — do NOT yet take down your hummingbird feeders! While most of the hummingbirds are leaving Virginia right now, stragglers will still be migrating through our area through October." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We can all use a little hope in our lives, so meet Hope! This sweet and playful puppy loves to run, hop, jump, and skip her way around the room. She also LOVES the snuffle mat and other sniffing games (can you tell that she's part hound?)" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻 The sunflowers are here! This weekend is opening weekend for the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflowers festival! Starting on Friday, Sept. 8, the sunflower fields will be open! A wine tasting will kick off the event at 2 p.m." (Roanoke Outside via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Ms. Mary is back with a Khameleon Kitchen program at your Williamson Road Branch Library. Join us next Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. for DIY Skin Care: Herbal Cream. As always, this program is 100 percent free and no reservations are required." (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com