Henri Gendreau - The Roanoke Rambler

The $64-Million Question: How Will Roanoke End Up Spending Its Pandemic Relief Money?

Roanoke steered the biggest chunks of its pandemic relief money to food, fun and affordable housing.

Roanoke Board Denied Volosin's Request To Host an Airbnb. Here's an Inside Look.

There’s a four-poster bed, De’Longhi coffee maker and ensuite bathroom — but nobody to stay at Councilman Peter Volosin’s house. Most people find it pretty easy to get a city license to run an Airbnb out of their home. But not for Volosin and his husband, Malcolm Quigley.

City Hall

Despite Spending Errors, Roanoke Ended '24 Budget Year with Extra Cash

There remain dueling narratives about who’s to blame for some of the recent spending and accounting lapses that auditors flagged.

City Hall

Roanoke Spent $5 Million More in '24 Than Council Authorized, Violating State Law, Audit Says

The finding underscored accounting issues that have plagued the government and which emerged during a belt-tightening budget year.

Homelessness

Roanoke Homeless Assistance Team To Move from Downtown to Williamson Road Building

The move is meant to bring HAT, as it’s known, under the same Civic Mall roof as other staff in the city’s Department of Human and Social Services.

Investigation

Roanoke City Manager Accuses Schools of Possibly Breaking Law As Superintendent Blasts 'Veiled Threats', Letters Show

The heated exchange — in the middle of a tight budget year — played out in letters last week between City Manager Valmarie Turner and Superintendent Verletta White.

Business

Riverdale Fire Destroys Prime Business Building Developer Says Is 'Not Possible' To Rebuild

Though Noke Van initially said the fire left 20 employees without jobs, the company said they plan to keep everyone employed.

Federal Effects

Afraid of Losing Federal Money, Roanoke Removes Diversity, Equity from City Webpages

An official with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development told Roanoke leaders the city's funding was at risk.

City Hall

Higher Meals Tax, Flat School Funding Feature in Roanoke Budget Proposal

City Manager Valmarie Turner began flashing warning signs last month that the city needed to tighten its belt.

Letter

Letter From the Founder: Todd Jackson To Join The Rambler As Our First Managing Editor

Todd Jackson, veteran journalist and metro editor of The Roanoke Times, will become our inaugural managing editor.

Federal Effects

Refugee Resettlement Agency Lays Off Roanoke Staff After Federal Funding Cuts

Refugees living in Roanoke are facing an increasingly unstable future in the wake of federal funding cuts and executive orders.

Education

Roanoke School District May Cut Positions If City Funding Remains Level, Officials Say

Roanoke could also consider raising its meals tax rate to help pay for a backlog of deferred maintenance, a financial advisor said.

Housing

Proposed South Roanoke Apartment Complex Made Feasible By Zoning Reforms

Plans for the apartment building involve demolishing four century-old residences in the Crystal Spring commercial area.

City Hall

Roanoke May Need To Slash Millions in City Spending As Budget Woes Emerge

The shortfall could affect schools, public transportation and parks.

City Hall

Roanoke Sues Residents Who Cut Down City-Owned Trees

It’s a rare case for the city to bring to court. In recent years, Roanoke has tried to protect and expand the city’s tree canopy.

City Hall

Powers Sworn In on Roanoke City Council After Council Reverses Earlier Deadlock

The swearing-in capped an intense lobbying campaign to fill the rest of Mayor Joe Cobb’s City Council term.

Politics

As Roanoke City Council Deadlocks Over Filling Vacancy, Judge Says 'It's a Shame'

Roanoke’s political and legal establishment is reeling after a deadlocked City Council said it couldn’t agree on who should become its seventh member.

Transportation

Roanoke's Valley Metro Bus System Still Struggles with Financial Issues, Audit Finds

Problems persist one year after an external audit unearthed issues that could imperil funding and services if not addressed.