🌱 Wastewater To Natural Gas Partnership + 2023 Endangered Sites List

Hello, neighbors! It's time for a fresh edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter, fresh off the keyboard. Here's what's happening in town, including...

• Fleet Feet seeks to increase awareness of trail running.
• Bent Mountain store development put on hold.
• Feeding Southwest Virginia in need of donations.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Cloudy, a shower in the p.m. High: 66 Low: 53.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Fleet Feet Roanoke is expanding its efforts to include trail running in the Roanoke Valley. They recently partnered with Fishburn Perk, the beleaguered coffee shop project recently rejected by city council, for an event called "Perk the Park Trail Movement" at Fishburn Park. The goal is to introduce trail running to the community and support a small local business with each event. The vanBlaricoms, owners of Fishburn Perk, said they were grateful for the support and provided coffee from Gladheart Wine and Brews for the attendees. The event aimed to raise awareness about the resources and natural beauty of the Roanoke Valley. Fleet Feet Roanoke plans to continue hosting weekly events and collaborate with community partners to provide a great experience for everyone. (WDBJ)
2. Residents in the Roanoke Valley can expect lower energy bills in the near future thanks to a partnership between the Roanoke Gas Company and the Western Virginia Water Authority. The collaboration involves a project worth over $20 million, which aims to convert gas from wastewater into renewable energy. By utilizing new digester conditioning equipment, the Roanoke Gas Company can capture methane gas released from wastewater pollution and transform it into pipeline quality natural gas. The project is already operational, and customers may start noticing a difference in their energy costs within a year, showcasing the tangible benefits of this initiative. (WFXR)
3. A proposed farm store on a site in Bent Mountain, featuring fresh meats and local produce, has been put on hold. The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors agreed with the planning commission's recommendation to remove certain conditions on the land, allowing the construction of two single-family homes by Terio and Lisa Comerose. The land had been rezoned in 2011, and a special use permit was granted for a convenience store, although the Comeroses currently have no concrete plans for it. Concerns were raised about the potential store, including limited development, traffic, and staffing issues. The supervisors approved the construction of the homes but retained the special use permit for the store in case the Comeroses decide to proceed with it in the future. (Roanoke Times)
4. Feeding Southwest Virginia is seeking support for its efforts. Due to staffing shortages, they conducted a virtual donation drive for the Stamp Out Hunger Campaign this year. They have extended the drive until May 30 to reach their goal of $10,000. Currently, they are $2,200 short and are appealing to the public for assistance. President and CEO Pamela Irvine emphasizes that any contribution, even just a dollar, is valuable, as they have encountered generous individuals from various income backgrounds. The $10,000 target would enable them to provide 30,000 meals to families in the 26-county region. (WSLS)
5. The Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation announced the 2023 Endangered Sites List during National Preservation Month. Since 1996, the RVPF has released an annual list of significant historic, natural, and cultural sites in the Roanoke Valley that are at risk of being lost due to neglect, demolition, or incompatible development. The foundation aims to raise awareness about the importance of these sites and help identify ways to preserve them. They also strive to assist property owners by informing them about available resources for preservation. In 2023, the RVPF identified five endangered sites and revisited three previously listed sites, all of which are among the oldest surviving buildings in Roanoke City. To view the list, click here. (Roanoke Star)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Keystone Community Center 5K starting in Fallon Park (8 a.m.)
• Star City Rockabilly Fest at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (1 p.m.)
• Kix at Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges (6 p.m.)
• Music Road Co. at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Police Department: "At this morning’s lineup, we presented Officer J. Martinez and Officer S. Blankenship with Letters of Commendation for their work apprehending a robbery suspect earlier this year." (Roanoke Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Okay, this may be the cutest and sweetest thing you've seen all day. ☺️ We received an interesting package in the mail. The envelope was bulky and kind of squishy, but when we opened it, we got the sweetest surprise. It was full of these handmade bowties!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Ya'll are bird nerds — most of you guessed correctly that the baby bird we posted yesterday was a Northern Cardinal! Baby cardinals of either sex don't get strong coloration until a few months after they are born." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "SAVE THE DATE. Join on us June 10 at our one day hiring event. We will staff on hand to interview, test, oversee the agility course, and fingerprint. We are looking for those that want to join a forward thinking agency." (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Do you have your dancing shoes ready for Delta Dental Party in Elmwood tonight?? Legacy Motown Revue is tonight's band and Empanada Nirvana is serving up delicious food. Admission is $10, kids under 12 are free." (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all Tuesday 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