Published twice a month, Roanoke Recap is a blog to keep citizens informed about recent city news, events, and announcements. If you are reading this blog for the first time and wish to receive an email notification when a new blog is posted, please contact the Office of Communications at [email protected].
Roanoke City Courthouse Renamed for Oliver Hill
On May 1, the city held a ceremony to rename the Roanoke City Courthouse in honor of Roanoke native and civil rights attorney Oliver W. Hill. Last year the city dedicated a marker in honor of Mr. Hill in front of his childhood home. Speakers at the ceremony included Mayor Sherman Lea, Chief Judge William Broadhurst of the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia, Roanoke Bar Association President Lee Osborne, and Ramona Taylor, President of The Oliver White Hill Foundation. During the ceremony, a portrait of Mr. Hill created by Artist Elaine Bankston was unveiled; it will be displayed inside the courthouse. This event was another step in the city’s efforts to honor the contributions of Oliver W. Hill.
Roanoke Public Libraries Seek 1940s Photographs
Roanoke Public Libraries will host several opportunities for community members to have their 1940s Roanoke photographs scanned for possible inclusion in a new book by Nelson Harris, covering the history of the Roanoke area in the 1940s. Click here for a list of the dates, times, and locations to bring your photos for scanning.
E911 Center Launches Automated Secure Alarm Protocol
The City of Roanoke E911 Center has launched an Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) system, part of the new Motorola Solutions PremierOne Computer Aided Dispatch system. Our E911 Center is the first public safety answering point in southwest Virginia with this technology, which improves accuracy and reduces the overall time it takes for the call to be dispatched for Police and Fire units to respond. Read the news release here.
Ribbon Cutting for Mountain Biking Trail in Morningside Park
Roanoke Parks and Recreation, along with Star City Cycling and Roanoke Outside, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new beginner mountain biking trail at Morningside Park. This trail, located in the wooded area behind the Boys and Girls Club in Southeast Roanoke, is part of a larger revitalization effort at the park. The trail is part of Phase 1 for Morningside Park improvements. Roanoke Parks and Recreation has already held community input meetings to start developing a plan for Phase 2. To see photos and read the blog, click here.
