🌱 Return Of The 'Zoo Choo' Train + Young People Protest Curfew Change

Hey, everybody! It's Thursday — we're over the hump and headed for the weekend — and I'm back in your inbox with what's happening in the community. Today we'll cover...

• ChemSolv announces partnership with Chemisphere.
• New Valley Metro station grand opening.
• Roanoke City School Board votes to change start times.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny. High: 83 Low: 61.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Valley Metro hosted a grand opening of the Third Street Station, a new transit facility located in front of the Virginia Museum of Transportation on Salem Avenue yesterday. The $13 million project includes a new building, platforms, and advanced technology. Roanoke City's Vice Mayor Joe Cobb emphasized the significance of the new station in connecting people to essential services like groceries, health care, and work. The station's design ensures consistency and reliability, as buses will have assigned positions throughout the day. The opening ceremony featured guest speakers, a ribbon cutting, and light refreshments. (WDBJ)
2. After undergoing extensive repairs and a successful fundraising campaign, Mill Mountain Zoo has reopened its iconic 'Zoo Choo' train. The train, which has been a beloved feature of the zoo since 1952, had been out of operation in recent years due to significant maintenance issues. However, thanks to the efforts of the community and the raised funds, the locomotive and cars have been restored, the engine and electrical system upgraded, and a new train station roof installed. The Zoo Choo provides visitors with access to areas of the park that cannot be reached on foot, offering a unique perspective even for those who have previously visited the zoo. To commemorate its return, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on June 14. (WFXR)
3. A group of approximately 20 individuals gathered on Monday evening to protest against the expansion of Roanoke City's curfew. The expanded curfew now includes additional restrictions for children aged 13 and under and adjusts the general age threshold to encompass individuals between the ages of 14 and 16. The protest was organized by the Roanoke Young Democrats, who were dissatisfied with the city council's decision to expand the curfew. The Young Democrats expressed their frustration, stating that their concerns voiced during previous curfew hearings in March had been disregarded. They believe that expanding the curfew only leads to higher rates of juvenile incarceration and more negative interactions between police and young people, exacerbating the existing issue of trust between the youth and law enforcement in the city. In contrast, the protesters propose the implementation of additional extracurricular activities and extended hours at public facilities such as libraries to provide alternative options for young people. (WSLS)
4. Roanoke based chemical company ChemSolv and St. Louis based Chemisphere have jointly launched a new chemical distribution platform called Integrity Partners Group (IPG). This platform combines the resources and capabilities of both companies to offer a comprehensive range of chemicals, ingredients, and services across 43 states in the U.S. and multiple international locations. The establishment of Integrity Partners Group reflects the commitment of ChemSolv and Chemisphere to delivering high-quality chemicals and ingredients with turnkey solutions. The platform aims to enhance its service-oriented approach and expand its capabilities in key geographical areas while maintaining the integrity and customer focus that the two companies have upheld for over 40 years. (Bluefield Daily Telegraph)
5. The Roanoke School Board has approved a new daily bell schedule in response to transportation issues faced by parents and students. A shortage of drivers from Durham School Services, the transportation contractor for the city schools, had caused delays and disruptions in bus runs. To address this, a school division work group developed a staggered bell schedule, which means different grade levels or schools will start and end at different times. The new schedule aims to improve safety, attendance, and instructional time, while also making bus routes more efficient. Previously, the city schools had a two-bell schedule for elementary and secondary schools, but the new system separates time schedules for elementary, middle, and secondary schools in different areas of the city. No public comments were made about the new schedule during the school board meeting. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

Thursday, June 15

• DIY Intro to Furniture Painting at Black Dog Salvage (1 p.m.)
• 2nd Annual 'Cornament' at Field House at Varsity Park (2 p.m.)
• Line Dancing at Sidewinders Saloon (6 p.m.)
• R&B Karaoke at 2 Chill Restaurant (7 p.m.)
• Heevahava at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "This is NOT cute — how would YOU like it if someone put paint on you and you couldn’t get it off? Painting turtles is extremely harmful in so many ways." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Say hello to Officer B. Viera! Today is Officer Viera’s first day on independent patrol. Officer Viera graduated from the Roanoke Police Academy in February of 2023. He was assigned to Delta Platoon." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "June is Adopt a Cat Month and Penelope is really looking for a home of her own; seriously, check out those eyes! She's a gorgeous dilute Torti who loves meeting new people — because she really just loves attention." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Did you know, locally, 8 out of 10 car seats are used or installed incorrectly? Visit our community-wide FREE car seat check at Roanoke City Fire Station 6! No appointment needed. It will take place on the third Thursday of each month!" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! See you tomorrow morning for 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