🌱 RCPD Hosts Active Threat Training + Reaction To Mayor's Curfew Push

Happy Saint Paddy's Day! 🍀🍀🍀

I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town. In today's issue, you'll learn about these stories and more:

• Records show Mayor Sherman Lea voted to release a cop killer.
• Downtown Ambassador Program passes 6-month mark.
• Shooting suspect pleads guilty in hit-and-run case.

Let's roll out! 🌈

But first, today's weather: Cloudy, a little rain; cooler. High: 59 Low: 39.

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Recently obtained records show that as a member of the Virginia Parole Board, Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea voted to grant the parole of Vincent Martin in 2020. Martin was convicted in 1979 of the murder of Richmond police officer Michael P. Connors and was serving out a life sentence at the Nottoway Correctional Center in Burkeville. Martin was released from prison in June 2020 after Lea and four others on the then parole board voted in favor of his release. Lea has since told investigators looking into the actions of the parole board that he stands by his decision as Martin had good marks for behavior while serving time. Lea has not been found to have done anything wrong in the ongoing investigation into whether or not the parole board adequately followed state laws and policies as to the notification of victims and prosecutors in its release of certain individuals. (WFIR, WRIC)
2. The ambassador program in Downtown Roanoke started last September and has crossed the 6-month mark causing downtown officials to take a moment to look at what they have accomplished since. The program has nine employees that work a collective total of 300 hours a week to clean up the streets, engage with visitors, and assist those in need of services by pointing them to city resources. Downtown Roanoke, Inc. Vice President Jeanie Clark said, "The downtown ambassador team has done a ton of great activities, obviously a lot of numbers that we’ve shown around cleaning. Hospitality, which is more focused on the weekend, has been really fantastic and I think our outreach part of the program has been really impactful, which has been nice to see as well." The initial funding for the program lasts two years, but officials say they hope to make the program permanent. (WDBJ)
3. Roanoke County Police and Roanoke County schools are hosting training courses for teachers on what to do during an active threat. "We teach run, hide, fight. Run away if you are able to safely. If you can’t run away, you want to hide somewhere safely where you can protect yourself from the active shooter, and the last resort is fighting,” said Sgt. Dan Walters who taught the most recent class at Oak Grove Elementary School. The training is available to all Roanoke County schools, churches, businesses, and anyone else who is interested. More information can be obtained by phoning Walters at 540-777-8637. (WSLS)
4. A suspect in an Oct. 31, 2021, shooting that occurred on 8th Street NW has plead guilty to charges related to felony evading and hit-and-run in a separate incident that took place the month after he was granted bond. Nashawn Devion Smith, now 18, was arrested in May 2022 and released on bond shortly afterwards. On June 27, 2022, a patrolling Roanoke City police officer observed a vehicle disobeying numerous traffic safety laws including driving with its headlights off, running stop signs, and colliding with another vehicle before crashing into the Ali Food Mart at the corner of Tazewell Avenue SE and 8th Street SE where it damaged the building and struck a customer. Smith was identified as the driver by the officer as he and others attempted to flee the scene and has been held in the Roanoke City Jail since his arrest in June. Smith's shooting trial for the 2021 crime is expected to begin in April, but a key witness in the case is missing and has been uncooperative to date causing several reschedulings. (Roanoke Times)
5. Roanoke residents and officials are responding with mixed feelings to Mayor Sherman Lea's idea for a new and stricter curfew on Roanoke's youth. Lea has been floating the idea for several months as a way of curbing gun violence in the city, but many say Roanoke already has such a curfew. City Attorney Tim Spencer said such a curfew has been in effect since 2004 and that it is up to the Roanoke City Police Department to enforce it. The current curfew affects anyone 16 and younger and prevents them from being out past 11 p.m. during the week and midnight on weekends. Gun Violence Prevention Commissioner Nicole Ross disagrees with the proposal. "I would hate to have this as another reason why our young African American boys, because those are the kinds of people you will find out, have a reason to be stopped. Because I believe that will add to the problem, I don’t think it will help it at all," she said. Another community meeting on the matter is scheduled to be held at Patrick Henry High School on March 30. (WSLS)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Roanoke Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99 percent of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Roanoke Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Roanoke:

• Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Breakfast at Salem Civic Center (8 a.m.)
• Larry Keel Experience with Jon Stickley Trio at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (6:30 p.m.)
• St. Paddy’s Day with Tin Can Locomotive at Big Lick Brewing Company (6:30 p.m.)
• St. Pat’s Street Party #2 at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "We posted about one of our tiny turtles a few days ago — but here is an even TINIER one! This Yellow-eared Slider is our tiniest turtle patient in our reptile room. The scientific name for this species is Trachemys scripta." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Is the luck of the Irish on your side? To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, we're giving away a $100 Kroger Gift Card! How do you enter? All you have to do is like this image or leave a comment. Want an additional chance at winning? Share this post!" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• Roanoke College: "Beware the Ides of March and spring in Virginia! As we hunker down against the snow flurries and bone-chilling winds, we're fondly remembering last week's T-shirt weather and hoping to feel it again very soon." (Roanoke College via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Today's Wish List request may be a little odd, but we will explain it! We're asking for yoga mats... and while we do see lots of cat poses and downward facing dogs in our shelter, we don't actually need them for practicing yoga." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Congratulations to our high schools' orchestras and bands for receiving "Superior" ratings at their concert assessment! This is the perfect way to celebrate National Music in Our Schools Month!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)

Thanks for following the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Now get out there and enjoy some Saint Paddy's Day fun! I'll 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