🌱 4 Dead In I-81 N Crash + Summer Solstice Festival Downtown

Morning, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the Blacksburg Patch newsletter. Follow along to find out the most important things going on in town these days, including updates on...

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Sunshine and warmer. High: 78 Low: 50.
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High: 77 Low: 54.

Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. Four people who died in a crash on I-81 North in Montgomery County have been identified by authorities: Douangpee Amnatkeo, 54, from Shippensburg, PA; Monthy Matnopasetuh, 39, from Reading, PA; Ericssan Kathpratoum, 13, from Shippensburg; and Samiane Kothpratoum, 37, from Shippensburg. According to state police, around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, a Chevrolet SUV traveling northbound lost control, spun out, and hit a tractor-trailer. Three people died in the SUV at the scene, and the fourth was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where they later died. (WSLS)
2. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officer of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) has resigned amid controversy sparked by debate over a 2021 report that found that discrimination and hostile sentiment towards racial minorities was "not uncommon" at the institution. Jamica Love took the position in July 2021, and has been the only Black woman to hold the office at VMI, which in fact did not accept women as students until after a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. VMI spokesman Bill Wyatt has confirmed that the school's Office of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion — renamed to mirror the renaming of the state office by Gov. Youngkin — will continue to exist despite Love's departure. (WDBJ)
3. Downtown Blacksburg is gearing up for the 15th Annual Summer Solstice Fest on Saturday, Jun. 17 from 1:00-11:00 p.m. on Main Street & Lee Street. The festival promises an array of attractions, including live music, food, arts and crafts, performances, and the Sundown 5K. The Summer Solstice is the first official day of summer, with the longest period of sunlight. (Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. via Facebook)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Blacksburg:

Monday, June 5

• Virginia Cheese Fest At Historic Smithfield Plantation (All Day)
• Cooking Class At Christiansburg Recreation Center, Christiansburg (3:00 PM)

Tuesday, June 6

• Town Council Work Session At Blacksburg Motor Company Building (11:00 AM)
• Planning Commission Meeting At Blacksburg Municipal Building (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Reminder to all Blacksburg residents: today (Monday, Jun. 5) is the due date for real estate tax invoices for the first installment of 2023. Those who have not yet received their tax statements are urged to contact the town's Department of Financial Services. (Town of Blacksburg Government via Facebook)
• Summer is nearly here, and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport wishes anyone leaving the area by plane happy summer travels! (Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you around!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.