Henri Gendreau

Henri Gendreau served as a reporter at The Roanoke Times from 2018 until 2021. He has written for WIRED, Bloomberg News, and several newspapers. He is a member of the IRE and NLGJA journalism groups.

Roanoke, Virginia

City Hall

New Roanoke City Law May Impact Panhandling. Just Don’t Call It Panhandling.

“I have ran out of patience with these people loitering and what they’re doing,” Mayor Sherman Lea said about those in street medians.

Policing

Roanoke Police Department Has Suffered From Many Vacancies, Leadership Discord, Report Says

Report says police department must address why "some employees may be leaving the agency to escape a toxic work environment."

Policing

Despite Expanded Summer Youth Curfew, Roanoke Police Issued No Citations, Chief Says

Council advocated for an expanded curfew this summer to prevent youth from being the victims or offenders of gun violence.

Development

Goodwill Buys Roanoke Properties Around Burgeoning Melrose Plaza

Goodwill sees expansion potential in the properties that abut Melrose Plaza, but has not identified a specific use for the properties yet.

Neighborhoods

Roanoke City Struggles To Retain Neighborhood Liaison, With Fourth Hire in Five Years

Some who served in the position felt their advocacy for neighborhoods and residents conflicted with the city’s position on issues.

Education

Roanoke Schools Switch Up Bus Routes As Issues with Contractor Durham Persist

A driver for Durham said the school district’s routes “look perfect” on paper, but they don’t account for traffic, stop lights or other realities of the road.

Policing

Why Danville Police Chief Scott Booth Wants To Become Roanoke's Next Top Cop

Booth is a finalist for the position vacant since former chief Sam Roman became an assistant city manager in July.

Letter

Letter From the Editor: We're Hiring a Director of Revenue As We Celebrate Our Second Birthday

Google News Initiative has committed upwards of $80,000 so we can attract a candidate eager to help us achieve financial self-sufficiency.

City Hall

Roanoke Boxing Gym Puts Up Fight As City Seeks To Evict Club from City-Owned Building

Melrose Athletic Club, which runs Champ’s Gym, is in a legal battle with the city, which insists the group vacate a former Southeast Roanoke fire station.