🌱 Parents Report School Bus Issues + Main Library's Equalitea Party

Hey, friends! It's time for the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Here's what's happening locally including...

• Roanoke drug dealer sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison.
• Xavier Duckett inspires Northwest Roanoke to rise at The Collective co-working space.
• Roanoke man sentenced to 25 years for 2021 murder of unarmed man.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Hot with a heavy thunderstorm. High: 95 Low: 74.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke City parents are frustrated with bus issues during the first week of school under the new staggered bell schedule. Parent Krystal DeHaven said her kids were picked up late on Tuesday and she had to retrieve them in the afternoon due to long delays, causing anxiety. She wants better communication from school leaders when delays occur. However, school officials said at a board meeting that the delays are just typical first-week challenges, not specific transportation problems. They are working to improve traffic control and communication to remedy any issues going forward. (WSLS)
2. The Roanoke Public Libraries are hosting a Women and Girls Equalitea Party at the Main Library on Aug. 26 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. in celebration of Women's Equality Day and to support women. Librarians Amber Lowery and Liv Sampogna said the event will feature local women in various careers sharing their journeys and answering questions. There will be tea and tea-party foods to enjoy. The event aims to highlight Women's Equality Day, which commemorates the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Women and girls of all ages are encouraged to attend. (WDBJ)
3. A federal judge sentenced 37-year-old Anthony Brian Barnett to over 15 years in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin in Roanoke in 2019 and distributing para-fluoro fentanyl while incarcerated in 2022. Barnett directed his co-conspirator to sell heroin to an informant in 2019 and was indicted. While awaiting trial in 2022, Barnett obtained and sold what he thought was heroin to inmates, leading to an overdose death. Though not charged for the death, his continued dealing of deadly substances contributed to his sentence, which will follow his 8-year state sentence for previous convictions. The case highlights Barnett's ongoing involvement with trafficking dangerous narcotics in the Roanoke area. (WFXR)
4. On Thursday, Xavier Duckett and his team will host a grand opening for The Collective, a co-working space in Northwest Roanoke that supports entrepreneurs and community events. Duckett transformed the space over the past few years to include a shop, gym, media room, and more, hiring local artists to create inspirational murals outside. Through memberships and rentals, The Collective accommodates diverse business needs while partnering with organizations on workshops and other offerings. Duckett aims to uplift overlooked communities like Northwest Roanoke by providing a hub for creatives and changemakers to come together. The grand opening will showcase the possibilities of the space and Duckett's vision to inspire revitalization. (The Roanoker)
5. John-Bayleigh Smith was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Wednesday for his role in the November 2021 murder of an unarmed man, Clayton Williams, in Roanoke. A jury found Smith guilty of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of murder earlier this year. Evidence showed Smith shot Williams multiple times in the back and side, killing him at the scene. Williams was the brother-in-law of former Roanoke City Councilman Robert Jeffrey Jr., who is currently in prison on unrelated embezzlement charges. Smith received sentences of 22 years for second-degree murder and 3 years for the firearm charge. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

Friday, August 25

• Vinyl Vault Concert Series — Roanoke City Special Events (5 p.m.)
• Football Varsity vs Liberty - Home — William Byrd High School (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "This Northern Cardinal is special! See his red chest, red 'eyeshadow,' and beak that is slowly turning orange? This bird was a baby a few months ago and is molting into his adult plumage!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Please help us welcome our three newest Animal Wardens — Animal Warden S. Batton, Animal Warden M. Narvaez, and Animal Warden J. Smith! While they were sworn in today, they still have a few weeks of training before they’ll be on the road." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "Looking for a great agency to join, then look no further. We are hiring civilians and if you think you have what it takes to be a part of our team, then we invite you to apply!" (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "If you've been to our shelter lately, you might have noticed a very special new addition (other than the wonderful pets in our shelter)! We've got a new outdoor play yard for our pups! We're SO very excited to have this grassy area available!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com