🌱 Restrictions At School Board Meetings + 460 Car Wash To Be Rebuilt

Hello, everybody. It's Wednesday and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the things happening in our community, including news about...

• Apprenticeship program brings the next generation into folklife traditions.
• Ladies see if they have what it takes to be a Roanoke City police officer.
• Roanoke PD deputy chief placed on administrative leave.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny. High: 84 Low: 64.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke resident Bernadette "BJ" Lark grew up immersed in the Gullah Geechee culture of her South Carolina Lowcountry community, learning traditions like storytelling, crafts, and gospel singing from her great-grandmother and mother. Now 43, Lark is passing on this heritage by mentoring 19-year-old Alanjha Harris through the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program. Since being selected last year, they have met regularly so Lark can teach Harris Gullah Geechee gospel singing. On Thursday, they will perform with other mentor-apprentice pairs at the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Celebration, demonstrating the skills Harris has learned during their year together. (Cardinal News)
2. After the recent controversies during Roanoke County School Board meetings the board is implementing new, more restrictive rules for public speakers at its meetings. The new policy requires advance sign-ups and limits speakers to county residents, students, parents, and employees. The changes follow disorder at a recent meeting over transgender policies. Some criticize the restrictions for reducing public input, especially from non-resident stakeholders. An effort is underway to have residents read statements from non-residents barred from speaking themselves. The impact remains to be seen at this week's meeting, which has drawn fewer advance sign-ups so far compared to the previous meeting. (Roanoke Times)
3. The Roanoke City Police Department held an event allowing women to take the police fitness test, including bench presses, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a run, in hopes of inspiring more females to join the force amid staffing shortages. Officials say they want to increase female representation in all areas of the department so that women in the community see themselves reflected in the police force. The event aimed to challenge and recruit local women to apply to become officers and help fill vacancies while better connecting with the community they would serve. (WDBJ)
4. A new car wash is being constructed at the site of the former Southern Classic Auto Wash in Roanoke, which was destroyed in a landslide two years ago. The property on the corner of Orange Avenue and Hollins Road is now owned by Thomas Holdings, LLC, which plans to build a new state-of-the-art car wash facility there. Construction crews are currently on-site working on the project, though no timeline has been given for its completion. (WSLS)
5. Roanoke Police Deputy Chief David Morris has been placed on administrative leave and barred from the police department building without an escort, a standard procedure for certain personnel matters. The department did not provide details on the reason for the leave but said it cannot comment on such personnel issues. Morris oversees the Uniform Operations Division and has been with the department since 2008. The move comes as the department operates under an interim chief while searching for a permanent new chief to replace the retired Sam Roman. (WVVA)

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Today in Roanoke:

Wednesday, August 16

• 'Hidden in Plain Site' documentary screening at The Grandin Theatre (5:30 p.m.)
• Baked Shrimp at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "We hope everyone is having a great start to their August so far — this Virginia opossum DEFINITELY is! This little one is recovering from a tail injury and is almost ready to be released back to the wild." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke: "Congratulations to Adam in our Way Forward Recovery Program for reaching 10 months sober! We are so proud of you and we love watching how God is continuing to shape your life ❤🙌" (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Princess is a sweet senior pup undergoing some medical treatments before she goes out to foster care. But she wants to make sure that everyone knows about the Roanoke Valley SPCA Pets Eat Too (P.E.T.) Program that helps people and pets!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "This is what We Are One looks like. This afternoon, the Roanoke Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of our rezoning application for the new Preston Park Elementary School." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop 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