MAYOR SHERMAN LEA

City councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds is calling on city manager Bob Cowell to do more to address gun violence.

A teenager’s death over the weekend and other recent shootings have Roanoke city leaders re-evaluating what’s working and what’s not in their efforts to combat gun violence.

Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea gave an update on the city's recent successes and challenges during Thursday's State of the City Address.

Summer basketball league gives Roanoke youth a positive focus.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke’s mayor shared a message via Facebook on Friday night in reference to recent events, likely including George Floyd’s death. Mayor Sherman Lea wrote, “Within recent weeks we have witnessed events across our country that have caused anger, division, unrest, and unparalleled sadness for many families and entire communities.”Lea referenced growing up as a teenager in the 60′s and experiencing the “cruelty of racism” firsthand. “We must continue to expose and eradicate racism in our society and within our criminal justice system,” wrote Lea. READ MAYOR LEA’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW:“Within recent weeks we have witnessed events across our country that have caused anger, division, unrest, and unparalled sadness for many families and entire communities. Growing up as a teenager in the 60s I had a chance to witness and experience the cruelty of racism first hand.