🌱 Blacksburg Prepares For NCAA + Search Continues For Missing Man

Hello all. I'm here right on time with your fresh copy of the Blacksburg Patch newsletter, filled with all the community information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Not as cold. High: 44 Low: 24.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and milder. High: 58 Low: 38.

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Here are the top three stories in Blacksburg today:

1. The Blacksburg community is preparing for the upcoming first- and second-round games of the NCAA Women's Tournament that are set to be hosted here in town. Local businesses talked about the impacts that these games have on their business and the local economy with one business owner, Michael Buchanan of Souvlaki's, saying that he expects each game to bring in "at least 10,000 fans." The Hokies are set to play against Chattanooga on Friday at 5:30 p.m. (WSLS 10)
2. Montgomery County's Board of Supervisors is reviewing a proposal for a Love's Travel Center along Interstate 81 at exit 128. The board recently held the first public hearing for the proposal during which three residents spoke against the plan, citing concerns about the congestion and noise that such a center would bring to the area. If the board approves the proposal, the travel center plans for a convenience store, fast food restaurant, tire shop and service center, fuel dispensing stations, a fenced dog park, a weighing area, and 172 parking spaces. (WDBJ)
3. The search continues for former Virginia Tech professor Siegfried Holzer, 86, who went missing after leaving his home in nearby Christiansburg three weeks ago on Feb. 22. Holzer was reportedly on his way to the Power Zone lawn equipment store, but his vehicle was later found with its doors lock and out of gas three hours way in Hardy County, West Virginia. Officials are offering a $10,000 award for information that helps them locate him. (Roanoke Times)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Blacksburg:

Wednesday, March 15

• School's Out Camp At Paint 'N Fun Ceramics Studio, Christiansburg (10:00 AM)
• Young Writers Club At Radford Public Library, Radford (4:00 PM)

Thursday, March 16

• Town Gown Meeting At Creativity And Innovation District (6:00 PM)
• An Evening With Viet Thanh Nguyen At Moss Arts Center (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a new place to call home? Check out these properties that are up for sale in and around the Blacksburg area, including a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house for $415,000. (Blacksburg Patch)
• Local business Coffeeholics has been serving the community for a little over a year now, but on Tuesday, it held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony! (Montgomery County VA Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
• Looking for a new beginning? Consider applying for a career with the Town of Blacksburg. View available positions by clicking here. (Town of Blacksburg Government via Facebook)
• Hey local teens! Join the Blacksburg Library for Teen Dungeons & Dragons on Saturday, Mar. 13 starting at 2:00 p.m. (Blacksburg Library, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, Va via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Homebuyer Blueprint Live Webinar (March 16)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you soon for your next 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.