🌱 Roanoke Gang Leader Sentenced + Area Schools Appealing VHSL

Hello, everybody! Happy Hump Day! At lunch today you'll officially be half way to Friday so lets get those brain cells firing with a look at some local news.

First, today's weather:

Some sun, then turning cloudy.

High: 79 Low: 61.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. The Virginia Tech School of Medicine and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute on Carilion's Roanoke Campus officially opened its Center for Inclusion Monday. The space is designed for students of each school to be able to mingle and get to know each other. It has been on the wish list for awhile. "It's an area we want the students to learn from and with one another about diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and challenges within science, healthcare, and research," said Dr. Angelica Witcher, assistant dean for student vitality and director of student affairs. (WFIR News Talk Radio)
2. The leader of the Rollin' 30s Crips in Roanoke, Sean “Denk” Guerrant, was sentenced to 37 years in prison on Monday for crimes including the dealing of drugs and the murders of two young men, Nickalas Lee and Markel Girty. According to police reports Guerrant was not present for either homicide, but was the undisputed leader of the gang and directed the actions of those who pulled the triggers. "The hurt and pain I caused is totally my fault, and I’m sorry for what I’ve done. Out of respect for [the families,] I am not going to ask for their forgiveness, because I don’t deserve it," Guerrant said. (Roanoke Times)
3. The Roanoke County School Board voted to appropriate $180,000 in June for the Roanoke County Police Department to hire six new School Resource Officers for area elementary schools, but hiring has been a challenge over the summer for all open school positions. "We started advertising at that point and so far we’ve onboarded about three people. We don’t want anybody just in the schools. What’s in the schools is obviously the most important thing in Roanoke County. Originally when Sheriff Orange wanted it, from the very beginning it was for the safety of the kids in the school. I just think those relationships are super important to build and build a trust between the community and the law enforcement we have here in Roanoke County," said Capt. Chad Beheler, with the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office. (WDBJ)
4. Several area high schools are appealing the Virginia High School League’s Alignment Committee's proposed class and region assignments for their sports teams. Patrick Henry, William Fleming, Franklin County and James River school sports officials are unhappy with the recommendations for the new four-year cycle that begins with the 2023-24 school year and that determine who and where they will play as well as what state tournaments they will be eligible for. The next steps will be a hearing with the Appeals Committee, which will come up with a final plan for the Executive Committee who will review a second round of possible appeals and create the final alignment plan. The Alignment Committee's recommendations are based on enrollment numbers. (Roanoke Times)
5. The Knights of Columbus Council No. 10015 in Salem collected over $16,000 in donations from people across Southwest Virginia last winter and purchased 130 wheelchairs for $150 a piece. Ninety of those wheelchairs were donated to local veterans on Monday afternoon at the Salem VA Medical Center on Roanoke Boulevard. "I was in a wheelchair temporarily, so I know what the need was, and I know what the need was here. And for people to get around they have to have a wheelchair," said David Wyble, Grand Knight of Salem Council. (UKnight, WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Botetourt Young Professionals Networking at 1772 Rooftop on Main (5 p.m.)
• Community Input Meeting for new Career and Technical Education Center (6 p.m.)
• Inigo Girls at Dr. Pepper Park (6 p.m.)
• Hot Girl Summer Workout Series at Elmwood Park (6 p.m.)
• Soul Sessions Wednesday Night Poetry Show at Ursula’s Café (7 p.m.)
• Colby Helms & The Virginia Creepers at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke College: "Luke Konst ’23 is spending the summer exploring the synthetic utility of palladium-catalyzed carbon-carbon bonding reactions with Dr. William Brenzovich. Konst, a chemistry major from Cary, North Carolina, is one of 13 students selected to participate in this year’s competitive Summer Scholars program." (Roanoke College via Instagram)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Thanks to everyone who adopted pets during the second week of Clear the Shelters 2022! Happy Tails to all of the pets who found their new loving homes! If you're ready to bring home a pet of your own, now is a great time!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Our Public Information Officer Rachel Hale was recently awarded a Certificate of Commendation for her work supporting the City's public safety agencies on July 26, when they were engaged in a search for a missing child." (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "Happy National Relaxation Day! What's your favorite way to relax? We think a nice float on the water does the trick." (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Today, we welcomed back all our teachers and staff for the 2022-2023 School Year! Last week, teachers new to RCPS participated in a New Educators Orientation. We know it's going to be a great year!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke: "Set your alarm!⏰ We will be on PBS Blue Ridge from 8p - 9p tonight to talk about the Rescue Mission and our critical services. There will be chances to support the Rescue Mission throughout the show." (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "We have another exciting update on our Downtown Ambassador Program. @blockbyblock, the organization that will run our program, is hiring for several Ambassador positions. If you're interested in being part of a team that will create a huge impact in Downtown Roanoke, take a look at the details." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you tomorrow.

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. His interests are in politics, history, and religion and the stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com