Gene Marrano
In a Facebook post The Village Grill in Grandin Village reports today that they have shut down temporarily after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The employee last worked on Sunday – and all workers are wearing masks. Ownership says they will wait for medical clearance before reopening.
(from Facebook post) So these are the kinds of announcements we get to make these days … we’ve had a member of the Village Grill staff test positive for COVID-19. The employee is asymptomatic and the positive test came from a test kit obtained from CVS. Others who have come in contact took a similar test that came back negative. Out of an abundance of caution we will be closing the Grill and having those in contact get tested by a medical professional for a secondary result. When we receive medical clearance to safely re-open, we will do so.
The Virtual Summer Reading Program, through Roanoke City Public Schools, got started this afternoon when new Superintendent Verletta White read to students outside of Round Hill Elementary. Reading logs were handed out at the event but parents can download sheets to fill out as their students read. Reading logs can be dropped off at the student’s school to be eligible for two rounds of prizes, with the possibility of winning a kindle fire, an Ipad or a five-hundred dollar Amazon gift card as a grand prize.
Photo: FCSO
A Franklin County Grand Jury has indicted a Marine deserter for killing his mother’s boyfriend in 2019. Rodney Brown was killed on November 9 last year and Michael Brown – no relation – was on the run until November 27, when he was found in the home where the murder took place. Rodney Brown was his mother’s boyfriend. Michael Brown was the subject of a manhunt in Roanoke at one point. Charges (as reported by the Roanoke Times) include premeditated First-Degree Murder, use of a firearm while committing murder and breaking and entering.
Waynette Anderson – (L)
Its been a rough half-year for many local businesses with COVID-19 restrictions in place. Now in Phase 3, Dr. Pepper Park at The Bridges will finally open its outdoor music and events venue this Friday. Park president Waynette Anderson was live on WFIR this morning. The complete conversation follows:
Not only will the Grandin Theatre start showing classic movies every Friday in July, executive director Ian Fortier says they will also encourage more Roanokers to book the main auditorium for private movie showings. The Grandin Theatre Foundation earns much-needed revenue – as patrons get to support the historic theater while having a unique get-together. Fortier says they booked 15 private rentals last month; see the Grandin Theatre website for details.