🌱 Stand-Up Comedy Making A Comeback + 7-11 Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Hey, everybody! I'm back with your new edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now. Today you'll learn about...

• More than 100 business leaders attend Roanoke Regional Chamber discussion.
• Police confirm Roanoke homicide was result of a shooting.
• Roanoke County considering additional funding outlets for SROs.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 90 Low: 72.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. The Roanoke Regional Chamber recently hosted panel discussions with local leaders to assess the current state of the region. Over 100 business leaders attended the event at the Vinton War Memorial. One discussion, moderated by John Carlin, featured representatives from Roanoke Outdoors, the Taubman Museum of Art, and the Salem Red Sox. The leaders emphasized that both public and private funding are needed to support assets like the arts, entertainment, and outdoor spaces that make the region thrive. Overall, the discussions aimed to highlight key issues and needs to keep the Roanoke region vibrant, unique, and an attractive place to live and visit. (WSLS)
2. Krystal Crowder, the wife of 31-year-old Steven D. Crowder who was fatally shot in April at a Roanoke 7-Eleven, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking $5 million in damages against the convenience store, its owner Lipes, Inc., and 20-year-old Isaiah Carl Baldwin, the store clerk charged with Crowder's murder. According to the suit filed by attorneys from Gentry Locke, Baldwin was working as a clerk at the 7-Eleven on Grandin Road when he allegedly confronted and then shot Crowder multiple times as Crowder was exiting the store after attempting to buy coffee and cigars. The lawsuit alleges the shooting resulted from negligence by Baldwin and vicarious liability by the store, as Baldwin overreacted and mishandled a firearm when Crowder could not produce his ID. (Roanoke Times)
3. Stand-up comedy is making a comeback in Roanoke after a lull during the pandemic, with comedians and venues like Brady's Distillery now hosting monthly shows featuring both local talent and regional acts. Comedian Taylor Reschka, who performed a warm-up gig at the Grandin Theatre in February, is promoting a show on July 18 with Andrew Gustafson, Katherine Rogue, LA Preston, Steve Curtiss, and Travis Terry. Other comedians like Preston and Johnny Camacho have also started organizing regular comedy events around town. Veterans of the local comedy scene like Kidd Carter and Steve Curtiss, who performed back in the heyday of the Roanoke Comedy Club in the 1980s and 90s, are glad to see the resurgence. The goal of the new comedy nights is to provide an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere for laughter and entertainment for all. (The Roanoker)
4. The Roanoke City Police have confirmed that a July 3 homicide of a man and woman found dead inside a residence on Brandon Avenue SW was the result of a shooting. The identities of the victims have not yet been released. Roanoke Police responded to reports of deceased individuals around 5 p.m. on July 3 and found the man and woman dead at the scene. Police told WDBJ they do not believe there is any continued threat to the community. They are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at 540-344-8500 or by texting 274637, with the text beginning "RoanokePD" to remain anonymous. The investigation into the double homicide remains ongoing. (WDBJ)
5. Roanoke County Police Chief R.M. Poindexter has made school safety a top priority and is seeking ways to fund a school resource officer in every elementary school. On Tuesday, Chief Poindexter brought a grant proposal to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors to fund eight additional resource officer positions, beyond the seven already hired, to reach the 16 needed overall. The board unanimously approved the grant at first reading as a critical first step toward full funding. The Board's final vote will come at their next meeting on July 25. Chief Poindexter says having a resource officer in every elementary school is key to ensuring school safety in Roanoke County. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

Thursday, July 13

• DIY Paint Class — Open Studio (10 a.m.)
• School board work session — Roanoke County (3:30 p.m.)
• Party in Elmwood — Roanoke City Special Events (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "It’s time for opossum season part two! We see two batches of opossums every year — once in the early spring and one in mid-summer lasting through the fall — and the avalanche is just starting." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Thanks to Penny who chose to celebrate her own birthday by collecting donations for the animals in our shelter! This sweet gesture means the world to us and the pets in our care. Please join us in thanking Penny and wishing her a very happy birthday!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Police Department: "**SCAM ALERT** Be warned that people in our area continue to receive SCAM TELEPHONE CALLS from individuals claiming to be from Roanoke County Police telling residents they missed their court date and need to make a payment." (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Our RCPS+ teachers and staff are really ~sweet~! Last week, Westside Elementary School site staff (Westside/Fairview) received Deb's Lemonade from administrators as a 'thank you! for all they do! #RCPSProud" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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