Legislation that would remove the name of Richard Poff, a former congressman who opposed integration, and rename it for Reuben Lawson, a Black civil rights pioneer, already has cleared the Senate.
Samantha Verrelli
Sam graduated from Penn State with degrees in journalism and Spanish. She was an investigative reporter for The Daily Collegian at Penn State and a freelance reporter with PennLive. She’s from outside Philadelphia, and loves hiking, live music and finding new restaurants.
Posted inPolitics
Change to Roanoke’s real estate valuation office intended to improve communication, eliminate potential conflicts of interest
Under the change, the director of real estate valuation would report directly to the city council.
Posted inPolitics
14 Roanoke homeowners sue over rezoning that allows townhomes in single-family neighborhood
The city council in July rezoned nine parcels along Medmont Circle from residential to a mixed-used planned unit development district.
Posted inPolitics
Planning commission votes against controversial Roanoke rezoning changes
The issue now goes to a vote by the city council, which isn’t bound by the recommendation of the planning commission.
Posted inPolitics
Changes to Roanoke’s zoning code up for public debate once again
The changes, which took effect in March, sparked a lawsuit against the city. Now the amendments are up for reconsideration, starting with Monday’s public hearing.
Posted inPolitics
Roanoke celebrates 8th All-America City recognition
The National Civic League acknowledged Roanoke’s community inclusion programs to address language barriers and limited job opportunities for immigrants and refugees, zoning reforms to expand equitable housing, and advisory boards that have renamed public spaces of the city.
Posted inCulture
Proposed historical marker would highlight the life of Roanoke’s Arthur Taubman
Taubman was a businessman who founded Advance Auto Parts, and a humanitarian who helped an estimated 500 European Jews flee to the U.S. during World War II.
Posted inCulture
New historic marker notes the legacy of Roanoke’s Claytor family
The Claytor family opened a medical clinic in Roanoke’s Gainsboro neighborhood in 1948. It was one of the first Black-owned clinics in the region.
Posted inCulture
Roanoke’s Norwich neighborhood named to state landmarks register
The nomination is now headed to the National Park Service for possible inclusion on the National Register.
Posted inPolitics
Roanoke City Council approves pay raises for mayor, council members
Starting July 1, 2025, the mayor will be paid $35,000, and council members $33,000. In 2026, both salaries will increase by $5,000, and by 2027, both will hit the maximum salary allowed.
