🌱 Commission Votes No To Rezoning + Hokies Fall In ACC

Hi all. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Blacksburg Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cooler with a bit of rain. High: 51 Low: 31.
• Saturday: An a.m. rain or snow shower. High: 44 Low: 31.

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Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. The Blacksburg Planning Commission voted down a proposal to rezone the Glade Spring Crossing area to a planned residential district during the commission's meeting on Tuesday night. If the proposal had gone through, the area would have been rezoned from its current status as a rural residential zone in order to aid the proposed plan for 176 homes, which included two dozen additional affordable housing units. (Subscription: Roanoke Times)
2. After defeating Notre Dame during its first match of the ACC Tournament, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team fell in its second match against North Carolina State, 97-77, on Wednesday night in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Hokies now must wait to see if they will be granted an NIT bid, which will be announced on Sunday at 10 p.m. on ESPNU. (Subscription: Roanoke Times)
3. Virginia Tech announced that it has opened applications for its Black College Institute (BCI) summer program. The application period for the academic enrichment program is open through Apr. 1 and is available to high-achieving high school juniors and seniors free of cost. Accepted applicants will come to campus for a four- to five-day period during one of three dates in June to get hands-on experience with one of the university's many colleges. (Virginia Tech Daily)

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Today and tomorrow in Blacksburg:

Friday, March 10

• Virginia Tech Hokies Vs. Boston College Eagles At English Field At Atlantic Union Bank Park (2:00 PM)

Saturday, March 11

• Blacksburg Farmers Market At Market Square Park (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Check out the new immersive art collaborative exhibit at the Squires Student Center on Virginia Tech's campus. "The Underwater Wonders of Toms Creek" will be on display during various hours during the week and will have a free public reception on Friday, Mar. 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Virginia Tech Daily)
• Virginia Tech is set to host the first and second rounds of the Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament. Tickets for the games go on sale Monday, Mar. 13. (Virginia Tech Daily)
• Join Sustainable Blacksburg and speaker Daniel Heaton of Envision Charlotte to learn about zero-waste initiatives during Lunch and Learn: Circular Materials flow in a Living Laboratory. The event will be on Wednesday, Mar. 22, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Blacksburg Library. (Sustainable Blacksburg via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be back 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.