🌱 Hokie Tracks Ice Cream In Stores + Nearby 30-Acre Fire Tamed

Hi all. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Blacksburg Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Sun mixing with clouds. High: 65 Low: 48.

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Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. You can now enjoy Hokie Tracks in the comfort of your home! Created in collaboration with Homestead Creamery and Virginia Tech's Department of Food Science and Technology faculty, Hokie Tracks is a vanilla ice cream with salted caramel and dark chocolate-covered pretzel chunks. You can now find it at grocery stores and specialty shops across Virginia. (WSET)
2. Multiple crews have finally contained the nearby 30-acre brush fire in Shawsville. According to the Montgomery County Fire and EMS departments, a large brush fire broke out on Saturday evening. The dispatched crews responded to the Alleghany Spring Road area, containing it by 10 p.m. Officials say the cause of the fire is still unknown. No injuries were reported and no structures were threatened. (WSLS 10)
3. Fans welcomed the Virginia Tech women's basketball team home on Saturday. Around 6 p.m. outside of the Hahn Hurst Basketball Practice Center, fans showed their support for the team and its head coach as they arrived home from their game. However, the team was delayed due to weather and ended up getting home closer to 7:30 p.m. (VT hokiesports.com)

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Today in Blacksburg:

• Spring Cleanup: Southeast Quadrant At Town of Blacksburg (All Day)
• Art Exhibit: The Underwater Wonders Of Toms Creek At Perspective Gallery, Squires Student Center (12:00 PM)
• Raiding The Author: Mobilization And Dissent In The Arab Digital Age At Squires Student Center (2:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Montgomery County Animal Care and Adoption Center have found several lost pets. If you or someone you know has lost a pet recently, please check the animal shelter first so you/they can be reunited! (Montgomery County Animal Care and Adoption Center via Facebook)
• April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Virginia. If you have questions, need help on the road, or want to learn more, contact the Blacksburg Police Department for additional resources. (Blacksburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Have you been to Our Daily Bread Bakery and Bistro for brunch yet? Check out last week's menu and plan your trip for this upcoming weekend to delight in tasty new specials. (Our Daily Bread Bakery and Bistro via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all soon for 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.