🌱 Annual Virginia Tech Spring Game + Honoring Victims Of VT Shooting

Hello again, everybody. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Blacksburg Patch newsletter. Let's get this week started off right with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Partial sunshine. High: 62 Low: 41.
• Tuesday: Breezy in the morning; sunny. High: 65 Low: 42.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Blacksburg who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories in Blacksburg today:

1. This past weekend, Virginia Tech had its annual Spring Game to get fans excited for the upcoming football season. The event on Apr. 15 was free to the public, with supporters of all ages coming out to view the Hokies vs. Hokies matchup. (WFXRtv.com)
2. On Sunday, Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered flags to be lowered to honor the 32 victims of the Virginia Tech shooting 16 years ago. Youngkin released an order that the flags shall remain half-staff until sunset in memory of those who lost their lives. (WDBJ)
3. In nearby Radford, Radford University Police reported that three men attempted to sexually assault a female student who was walking alone along Tyler Avenue early on Thursday morning. While the student managed to escape, the incident is said to have left other students shaken. The department has taken measures to ensure students' safety, including the creation of the Radford Safe app, which allows students to request assistance from dispatchers or physical escorts from officers if they feel unsafe at any time. The suspects involved in the incident are currently still at large; anyone with information is urged to contact Radford University Police immediately. (WSLS 10)

Today and tomorrow in Blacksburg:

Monday, April 17

• Spring Cleanup: NW Quadrant - Town of Blacksburg (All Day)
• Art Exhibit: The Underwater Wonders Of Toms Creek - Perspective Gallery Squires (12:00 PM)

Tuesday, April 18

• Town Council Work Session - Blacksburg Motor Company Building (11:00 AM)
• School Of Performing Arts | Campus Band - Street and Davis Performance Hall, Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The energy and comradery of the Hokies are unmatched as this year's #VT32Run featured 25,000 Hokies. The event is put together to honor the lives of the victims of the 2007 shooting on campus. (Virginia Tech via Facebook)
• Professor Michelle Harding and her students at Virginia Tech recently hosted a very successful food drive. The drive collected 1,541 pounds of food and received over $1,800 in cash, checks, and gift cards. (Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry via Facebook)
• Celebrate National Poetry Month with the Blacksburg Library and get a new read to pass your time. You can use Libby, which comes free with your library card to enhance the experience. (Blacksburg Library, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, Va via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. I'll be in your inbox soon with another update!

— 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.