🌱 Carilion Gets Approval For Neurosurgery Dept. + Local Scholarships

Good morning, everybody. It's Friday in Blacksburg and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Hazy sunshine. High: 71 Low: 46.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and beautiful. High: 76 Low: 54.

Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine has gained approval from the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors to establish a Department of Neurosurgery. The new department aims to enhance neurosurgical education, conduct cutting-edge research, and meet the growing demand for specialized care in the region. The establishment of the Department of Neurosurgery is expected to transform neurological care in the area, increase specialized expertise, and stimulate economic growth. (The Roanoke Star)
2. In case you missed it - The 15th annual 'Summer Solstice Fest' will be hosted by Downtown Blacksburg on Jun. 17. The festival will offer various activities from 1:00-11:00 p.m., including a 5k run, crafts, food, live music, and performances. Over 50 local vendors will be selling homemade arts, crafts, and trinkets. Attendees can also enjoy a yoga class, and beer, wine, and summer cocktails will be available for purchase. The festival aims to bring the Blacksburg community together to celebrate the start of summer. (WFXR)
3. The Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club awarded scholarships to four outstanding Blacksburg High School seniors. Zijun Wang and Erik Midkiff received Jones/Sanders scholarships for their academic achievements and citizenship, while Mia Farley and Carter Ackerman received H.B. Dillon scholarships for their athletic performance and sportsmanship. These scholarships have been issued by the Blacksburg Lions since 1925, and the club is proud to continue supporting the youth of Blacksburg. (Roanoke Times)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Blacksburg:

Friday, June 9

• Pearisburg Festival In The Park At Pearisburg Community Festival (6:00 PM)

Saturday, June 10

• Blacksburg Farmers Market At Market Square Park (8:00 AM)
• Live Music At Blacksburg Vintage Market (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, along with other local law enforcement agencies, participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia Area Nine. The community showed great support for the event, and local businesses like Tech MMA & Fitness Academy and LOST IN TASTE restaurant provided sponsorship and resources. (Montgomery County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• The Montgomery County VA Chamber of Commerce hosted a successful Leadership Conference at The University Club of Virginia Tech, expressing gratitude to the venue and attendees for their support. They also congratulated the recipients of the 40 Under 40 and Best Places to Work awards for their outstanding contributions to the community. (Montgomery County VA Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
• In May, high schools in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) held CTE Signing Day events to recognize and celebrate students who have completed their Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These events honor students who may pursue further education or enter the workforce in their chosen fields of study after graduation. (Montgomery County Public Schools in Virginia via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon.

— 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.