🌱 Youth Curfew Meeting Draws Crowds + Explore Park Opening Weekend

Hello, Roanokers! It's the Saturday edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter with what's going on in town. Hope you all have a great day! Today you'll find news about:

• Safeside Tactical Talks Gun Safety.
• Settlement reached in Carilion lawsuit.
• Hummingbirds are coming!

Let's do it!

But first, today's weather: Very windy; a heavy t-storm. High: 76 Low: 40.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. After two community input meetings regarding the proposed youth curfew in Roanoke city, the general consensus seems to be that the idea is not a popular one. The latest meeting at Patrick Henry High School drew bigger crowds than the previous meeting and nearly every speaker was against the proposal. Criticisms leveled at the idea included questioning the ability of police to tell the difference when performing a traffic stop, citing the idea that youth are more active later at night than adults and that that's a natural, biological function, and pointing out that the city already has an unenforced curfew on the books, and it has made no difference in the level of gun violence. Now that the two meetings are past, city council is expected to decide what the next step is going to be in the coming weeks. (Roanoke Times)
2. Safeside Tactical has announced that they are joining the group of area organizations offering free gun locks for handguns. "This is another reminder of the fact that you know, in our home here in our valley, that we really need to take and make the effort to make sure that firearms don’t get into the hands of people who otherwise shouldn’t have them," co-owner Mitchell Tyler said. Safeside Tactical offers a variety of classes on the proper handling of firearms including classes for the deaf and hard of hearing with a sign language interpreter present. "Your responsibility doesn’t stop at the transaction. The background check getting approved is not a blank check for you being careless. And so we just want to make sure that people take the time to assess how their firearms are stored," Tyler added. (WDBJ)
3. Roanoke County's Explore Park opens this weekend for the 2023 season and is promising a weekend filled with adventures that include a river clean-up, crafts, hikes, and more in addition to popular attractions like the Tree Top Quest ropes course. "It is great to see more folks in the park. As the weather has gotten warmer, we are seeing a lot more traffic, and we are ready for the unofficial kick-off to operations here at Explore Park. My favorite part of Tree Top Quest is the zip line course, but each course has something different to offer," said Alex North, the marketing & administrative coordinator for Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Scheduled events include a Roanoke River Clean-Up from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and a Society of American Foresters Hike on Sunday from 10-11:30 a.m. (WSLS)
4. A settlement has been reached in a wrongful death suit filed against Carilion Clinic alleging malpractice at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The incident at the center of the suit was the death of Erma Gail Stock who was treated for a heart catheterization after being transferred from a hospital in Bluefield in August 2019. Stock later developed bleeding and complications from the procedure and died. The suit originally sought $3 million in damages but was settled for the amount of $400,000 this past Thursday with $172,505 going to the attorneys for fees and expenses and the remaining $227,495 going to Stock's estate. The settlement was approved in Roanoke's federal court. (Roanoke Times)
5. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center says it's time to get out your hummingbird feeders as the birds are due to begin their migration back to the U.S. over the next few weeks. Sightings have already been reported further south and are expected to begin here and day now. A website known as Hummingbird Central said red and yellow feeders are the best at attracting birds and the SVWC says its best to avoid buying store foods because they contain dyes and ingredients not good for the birds. Instead, just mix up a 4-to-1 ratio of granular sugar and water, boil it, and put it in your feeder — after it cools of course. Regular cleaning of the feeder is also suggest as well as changing the water every few days. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Clean Valley Day — Valley Wide (9 a.m.)
• Mill Mountain Mayhem 10K at Mill Mountain Park (9 a.m.)
• Sounds of the Mountain Festival at Camp Bethel (10 a.m.)
• Southwest Virginia Ballet presents “Cinderella” at Berglund Center (2 p.m.)
• SKYDOG at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (6:30 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Peoria Rivermen at Berglund Center (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "This is the FINAL basket in our Downtown Restaurant and Brewery Basket ✨G.I.V.E.A.W.A.Y✨ Keep reading to learn how to enter. Entrants must be 21 or older. Basket No. 3 has an estimated value of $285-300!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department: "Spring looks good on you, Roanoke. 🌸 We know the blooming trees and spring flowers are beautiful, but please remember to keep your eyes on the road! Don’t drive distracted. #RPDpride #RPDTrafficSafety" (Roanoke Police Department - VA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Bear is a large, young, and happy dog who finds himself back in our care and looking for a new home with an active person. His biggest motivator is making friends with new people! He's a smart boy and already knows how to sit pretty!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Registration for RCPS+ is now open through May 19! RCPS+ is open to students who are in grades PK-8 (based on their grade during the 2022-2023 school year.) Students new to Roanoke City Public Schools are also welcome to attend!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "We are pleased to introduce you to the full cast of 'WILLY WONKA, JR.' We have 35 area youth actors joining us! 'WILLY WONKA, JR.' April 7-8 Wes Bradley Stage in Fishburn Theater at North Cross School!" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Ia

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