🌱 Police Chase Leads To Arrest + Local Armor Business Sees Uptick

It's Friday! Here's a fresh copy of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter with a quick dive into the things going on around town. Today's issue includes updates on...

• Melrose Plaza update.
• Blue Ridge Parkway update.
• Man injured in NW shooting.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: An afternoon shower. High: 67 Low: 57.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. A man wanted in Appomattox County and Lynchburg City on charges related to a DUI and evading arrest was observed by police officers while driving in Vinton Wednesday night. When officers attempted to stop Henry Broderick Pack V at the intersection of Moneta Road and Diamond Hill Road, he fled leading to a chase that crossed multiple jurisdictions including those of Franklin County, Roanoke County, and the Town of Vinton before officers were able to stop him with a set of spike strips that flattened his front tires. Pack is now being held in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail and no injuries were reported. (WDBJ)
2. A Vinton-based business has seen an increase in interest in their body armor products as a result of the recent Nashville school shooting. CW Armor, located on East Washington Street, has been fielding calls from parents about safety solutions for their children. "At first, I was like, ‘This is crazy. I can’t even believe that we are looking into having a product like this.' But now I think it’s become a necessity, just like crayons and trapper keepers and Chromebooks," said Erin McKee, an employee at CW Armor. The company sells a variety of equipment for law enforcement including armored vests, helmets, armor inserts designed for easy placement in backpacks. You can learn more about CW Armor on their website here. (WSLS)
3. The National Park Service issued an update on a long running project on the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Roanoke on Wednesday. A section of the parkway that has been closed since a May 2020 landslide is now scheduled to reopen June. "Geotechnical and roadway experts are implementing a series of repairs including installation of soil anchors and reconstruction of the fill slope to stabilize the area and restore safe access. Final steps include the completion of additional headwalls and drainage elements and paving the road as temperatures allow," the NPS statement said. Traffic has been diverted from a 15-mile section of the Parkway from mileposts 121.4 - 135.9 for nearly three years now. (Roanoke Times)
4. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys announced on Wednesday that two new partners will help make a new Melrose Plaza come to fruition, Bank of Botetourt and Wallace360, a marketing and creative agency based in Roanoke. The plaza will be at the existing Goodwill Roanoke Jobs Campus on the corner of Melrose Avenue and 24th Street NW and will feature a full-service grocery store, adult high school, and community wellness center. "Keeping the community informed is in the forefront of all of the partnerships there. All of the partners really want the community input. And we want to be keeping everyone abreast of every step along the way," said Mary Ann Gilmer, Goodwill of the Valleys’ chief external affairs officer. (WDBJ)
5. Roanoke City Police say a man has been hospitalized after a shooting Wednesday afternoon and that details are limited at this time. Officers responded to a call about shots fired around 3:30 p.m. and arrived on the 2000 block of Hanover Avenue NW to find a man with what seemed to be non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. The unidentified man was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment, but no update has been given on his condition or whether or not he is cooperating with the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 540-344-8500 or text 274637 with the text beginning with “RoanokePD.” Calls and texts can remain anonymous if desired. (WFXR)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Jurassic Quest at The Berglund Center (9 a.m.)
• Daisy Chain at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Peoria Rivermen at The Berglund Center (7 p.m.)
• Chad Nickell & The Loose Change with Laded Ravins at The Spot on Kirk (8 p.m.)
• Isaac Hadden Organ Trio at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Another window-strike patient, just like yesterday, but a different bird species this time. Northern Cardinals are commonly admitted to the Center, but they are critically important to the ecosystem. Cardinals act as 'super suppressors.'" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We rely heavily on our foster volunteers for a variety of reasons. They help take care of very young pets, sick pets, and moms with babies among others. They also are a valuable resource for letting us know their foster pets' behaviors. Fosters tell us their pet's favorite toys, if the pet is outgoing or shy, playful or more of a couch potato, and we use that info to help our pets meet their match in an adopter! Thank you foster family!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "The implementation support team from Wit & Wisdom joined the elementary Literacy Department last week to visit classrooms, provide professional learning to our Wit & Wisdom Leaders, and offer feedback to the literacy team!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges: "Chase Matthew is coming back to Dr Pepper Park on Saturday, June 3! Presale tickets go on sale Thursday morning! Enter the code 'Nashville' to purchase your presale tickets!" (Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "No joking here... April Fool's Day has a TON of outdoor activities going on! 🤝 Clean Valley Day with Clean Valley Council 🎣 Natural Bridge Kids Fishing Day 🏃‍♀️ Women’s Naturalist Hike at Explore Park 🚴‍♀️ Cardinal Bicycle Group Ride, and more!" (Roanoke Outside via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with 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