Roanoke Rambler - The Roanoke Rambler

Data or Water? Safety or Privacy? Roanoke Faces Tradeoffs as New Technology and Legislation Reshape Daily Life

Good morning, and thank you for subscribing to The Roanoke Rambler, We are so excited to bring you news. This week, we dug into the stories shaping life in the Roanoke region. We examined Google’s plans to build three facilities in Botetourt County and reported from a public hearing

Man Ejected from Roanoke City Council Meeting Amid Gun Detection Debate

HB1469 expands background checks for rideshare drivers, aims to keep Virginians safe

House Bills 1273 and 1469 would require ride share drivers to undergo a more extensive background check process, including fingerprinting, and raise the minimum driving age to 21. Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 2:57 AM EST May 6, 2026 Edited: 2:57 AM EST May 6, 2026

Roanoke’s Water, the Region’s Growth

Roanoke already supplies most of the region’s water, and the new data center boom makes that reality impossible to ignore Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 5;05 AM EST May 6, 2026 Edited: 5:05 AM EST May 6, 2026 In 2004, Roanoke and Roanoke County merged

Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need

Week of 5/6 to 5/13 We scoured community calendars, city listings, downtown postings, and regional event pages so you didn’t have to. From ribbon cuttings and public meetings to concerts, races, and museum events, here’s what’s happening in Roanoke and surrounding areas this week. We

The Governor Visits Roanoke, Judge Declares Vote Invalid, April is Autism Acceptance Month in Roanoke City

We hope you are having a wonderful week and great Wednesday! We are excited to share our weekly newsletter with you. We truly appreciate your subscription and your continued support of local journalism here at the Roanoke Rambler. To keep covering the stories that matter most to our community, we

“Yes” or “No”? A Virginia Judge Has Already Rejected the Vote

Governor Abigail Spanberger marks 100th Day with Bipartisan Bill Signing at Roanoke Higher Education Center

Governor Abigail Spanberger signs 12 bipartisan education and workforce development bills on her 100th day in office on her 100th day as Virginia’s 75th governor at Roanoke Higher Education Center. Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 3:22AM April 29, 2026 Edited: 3:22AM April 29, 2026 Virginia’s 75th

Autism Acceptance Month in Roanoke: More Than Awareness, More Support Needed

The first‑ever Autism Acceptance Month proclamation in Roanoke tied directly to real‑world service gaps Boxing Champions and City Leaders are more than their diagnosis, but can the Roanoke Valley meet the growing demand, and can the community accept their differences? Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff Published: 2:57 AM

Letter

Roanoke Entrepreneur Ollie Howie Joins The Roanoke Rambler As Its New Owner

"I believe a healthy newspaper helps build a stronger, more connected city," Ollie Howie said.

Roanoke Council Race Zips to Higher Gear, Coffee, Calamari and Crab Bisque in Corner Booth, Check Out 'The News'

After a slow few months, the city council race is quickening; our food column returns; and we check our literary box with a new poem.

Poetry

The News

By Kaley Hutter Since we can’t speak of it anymore want to tuck in our blouses and go cartwheeling? Then we can spread our legs around the cello in the music store we can alphabetize the crepe-myrtles or go hang our yearning on the rumps of weekday cows Kaley

Complaints Lead to Homeless Shelter Citation, Conservation Group Could Buy Evans Spring, Spectrum Women on Resilience

TLOT's downtown facility faces scrutiny; Blue Ridge Land Conservancy may produce beneficial deal; Rambler's Four Quadrants, One City series returns.

Fears Rise Over Possible Nixing of Neighborhood Commitment, New Path Sought for Jefferson Center, Bus System at Crossing

Roanoke underspent a targeted Belmont-Fallon goal; a management firm is sought for Jefferson Center; a brief work stoppage signals a key stage of Valley Metro talks.

Police Grant Audit Finds Youths Treated Questionably, 11th St. Dreams Shaping Up, Rambling's Include Papa's Parting Words

An audit prompts frustration among city officials; a group continues to grow toward a revitalization in Northwest; Ramblings also include news on Fishburn park cottage.

Ramblings

Ramblings: Papa Issues Statement on Departure; Delay Approved for Fishburn Cottage; State Stingy on Roanoke Asks

Also, a historic house owned by Roanoke College may not be demolished after all.

Roanoke's Planning Director Exits Amid High Vacancies, City Finances Generate Debate, Grits and Wine on Corner Booth Menu

Jillian Papa is the latest manager to leave City Hall; the city's budget discussions ramp up; and Layla is back with her monthly food column.

Rambler Gets Data Center Info After Lawsuit, Huntingdon Gets Reprieve, Brittney Flowers' Journey Detailed in Our Q&A

The Roanoke Rambler gets Botetourt data center water usage details; a dilapidated historic Roanoke property gets good news; Four Quadrants, One City returns.