🌱 Roanoke Gas Rate Hike Request + Police Chief Update To City Council

Hello, everybody! Happy Hump Day. Here's the Roanoke Daily for you as you wake up, caffeinate, and begin the arduous climb up and over. Today you'll read about:

• Better late than never — new Sheetz opens
• Holiday season critical for area small businesses
• Local post office recommended shipping deadlines

Let's move it!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a shower.

High: 65 Low: 54.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. You know your city still has that small town feel when big news includes the opening of a new gas station convenience store, and the top of the Roanoke headlines has been the opening of the new Sheetz this week. The station officially opened for business Monday morning at 8 a.m. and held a grand opening from 9 - 11 a.m. with free coffee, door prizes, and two grand prizes worth $250 and $2,500 respectively. "I know our teams are really excited to get this one underway. We’ve had some delays in construction which have pushed us back a little bit, but our teams are really excited," said Nick Ruffner, Sheetz public relations manager. The new store replaces the Sheetz at the corner of Orange and Williamson with a new four-acre property located at the corner of Orange and King Street. (WDBJ)
2. Roanoke Gas Co. cited rising labor, benefit, and maintenance costs among its reasoning for requesting a rate hike, which could see as much as a $5 difference to the average Roanoker's monthly bill. The utility serves north of 60,000 customers in the Roanoke area and the request comes at a time when the cost and transportation of the natural gas the company supplies has already added approximately $23 to the monthly residential bill. "This proposed rate request reflects investments to improve service, ensure reliability during extreme weather, and reduce methane emissions from our system," said Paul Nester, president and CEO of Roanoke Gas. The decision about the rate hike is in the hands of the State Corporation Commision, which will take public comments and hold an evidentiary hearing later this month. (Roanoke Times)
3. Roanoke City Police Chief Sam Roman has spoken out about the arrest of a suspect in the case of the 2019 murder of Solonya Evans when charges were publicly announced for the second time at his briefing on gun violence to city council. "The detectives in this instance definitely, continuously worked to bring justice to the victim. And make sure that those who are responsible for this death are held responsible. And they never lose sight of that," he said. Vice Mayor Trish White Boyd praised the progress and said after Roman announced three such indictments over the course of the last month and talked about how important Roanoke City's partnership with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies is. (WSLS)
4. Christmas time can be an important time for retail-oriented small businesses who rely on the holiday sales boost to keep their companies afloat during less busy times of the year and with inflation causing the costs of goods sold to rise this year could be more critical than most. Stephanie Schneider, owner of Pacaberry Farm, which makes and sells products from alpaca hair, said, "The holidays are really important to sustain our farm, feed them, take care of vet bills, and things of that nature. We really do need that money to come in order to be able to care for and sustain our herd." In addition to increased income, small business owners like Kathryn Cork said you're also building a relationship when you shop small because the people you're buying from are part of your community as well. (WFXR)
5. With gift buying and receiving season thoroughly underway, area postal facilities were reminded why it's their busiest time of year when over 130,000 packages made their way through the Roanoke processing facility this past weekend. The Post Offices' Delivering to America plan is in its second year and is designed to bring improved technology to local offices. "We’re staffed. We’re ready. This is our time to shine. We’ve installed 249 new machines across the country just for packaging processing. I encourage everyone to get their mailing done as early as possible but if you decide to wait to the last minute, we got you covered," said USPS Communications Specialist Philip Bogenberger. For a list of recommended shipping deadlines see the link. (WDBJ)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Roanoke:

• State of the County 2022 at Green Ridge Recreation Center (7:30 a.m.)
• Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art (5:15 p.m.)
• Pedals, Pies & Pints at Cardinal Bicycle (5:45 p.m.)
• Roanoke Old Time & Americana Jam at Golden Cactus Brewing (6 p.m.)
• Views and Brews presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures (6 p.m.)
• Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department: "Please help us welcome back Officer T. Buquor to the team! Officer Buquor left the department earlier this year but has come back to serve his community again. Officer Buquor is currently assigned to Delta Platoon." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "The Grace to Remember Candlelight Vigil to those families in attendance and those unable to attend, we send a prayer of comfort as you remember your loved ones. Thank you to those in the community who came out to support your fellow neighbors." (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Experience the holiday charm and beauty of Roanoke's Historic Fishburn Mansion this week as PLAY Roanoke hosts its annual Candlelight Christmas Tours this Thursday and Friday evenings and it's free Holiday Open House event this Sunday!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "The Roanoke Times Dickens of a Christmas featuring the City of Roanoke Christmas Parade is this Friday, Dec. 9! 🎄 The parade begins on Jefferson Street at Elm Avenue." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Helping Hands 4 You: "Helping Hands 4 You Charity Organization Family Field Day community event! Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 admission — free for children ages 3 and under. inflatables, bouncy houses, games and prizes, snacks and refreshments." (Patch Neighbor Posts)

Now you're in the loop and ready to climb! See you all on the other side 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com