Jeff Sturgeon - The Roanoke Rambler

Business

Lust or Bust: Roanoke Strip Club Planned But Questions Abound

City officials are evaluating whether the project needs to go to the board of zoning appeals to get permission to open.

Transportation

Leaders Celebrate, Evaluate Valley Metro at 50-year Mark, as New RFP Issued

Is the city about to hire a new manager for its bus system?

Business

Roanoke Vice Mayor Says No Dice on Casino, Vinton Officials Say They're Good with Rosie's

Where Roanoke's pursuit of a casino license goes from here remains to be seen.

Development

With $1 Billion Google Data Center Deal Inked, the Roanoke Valley Enters the Game

Issues abound with one of the state's hottest business topics.

Healthcare

Renderings, Size, Location Part of Fresh Plans for Roanoke's VTC Medical School Expansion

A new headquarters under formal consideration would give the medical school more room and solve a space issue for the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.

Business

As Prosecution Looms, Owner of Run-Down Roanoke Parking Garage Seeks a Buyer

Attorney for garage owner Will Trinkle has persuaded a judge to postpone a trial to allow time for a sale.

Transportation

Consultant Hired to Probe Roanoke Bus Company's Operations After Audit Issues

AECOM is taking a thorough look at the bus system after audits showed finance issues.

City Hall

Who Is Roanoke's Mayor? City's AI Chatbot Stumped for Now.

A new AI chatbot - Virtual Assistant Virginia - is now at work on Roanoke’s municipal website.

Transportation

Pedestrian Death Prompts Williamson Road Sidewalk Project — 4 Years After Crash

Hundreds of crashes have occurred on Williamson Road, including another fatality this month.

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.

Business

Amazon Touts Creation of 400 Jobs at Roanoke Industrial Park Site, Once Tapped for Brewery

Amazon unveiled its first Roanoke facility, which the company says supports 400 part-time jobs.

Policing

Roanoke Police Officer Out of Job After Animal Cruelty Charge

A Roanoke police officer is out of a job after admitting in court he neglected his dog.

Business

Historical Railroad Buffs Find New Home for Trains in Roanoke's Norwich Area

The Roanoke chapter of the National Railway Historical Society moved out of its longtime home in the industrial center that is now Riverdale.

Investigation

Carilion Hospital Adds New Security System After Attempted Hatchet Attack

Health care facilities have begun to scan visitors for weapons in response to high rates of violence against health care workers.

Food

After Being Served, Roanoke Restaurants Settle Tax Bills

Recent crackdowns on Roanoke restaurateurs have resulted in an influx of owed taxes to the city, plea deals and dropped criminal charges.

Development

Tenants Evicted from Riverdale As Southeast Roanoke Community Takes Shape

Developer Ed Walker has stripped the former Roanoke Industrial Center of junk cars, scrap, chemicals, waste and unwanted tenants.

City Hall

Roanoke Aims To Seize, Sell Downtown Parking Garage Plagued By Tax, Code Issues

The parking garage beside the Amtrak platform has been closed since April, when city officials deemed the structure unsafe.

Outdoors

Mill Mountain Trails To Expand Significantly with First Professional Build, Plans Show

Four miles of new pathways are planned to get underway this spring on Mill Mountain, which has at least 10 miles of trails.