🌱 New Exhibit At Christiansburg + Food Assistance Directory Released

Hello there, Blacksburg! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and nice. High: 71 Low: 52.
• Saturday: Cloudy, a shower and t-storm. High: 70 Low: 51.

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Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. The Christiansburg Institute in Virginia is developing a new exhibit at its Smokehouse Museum. The exhibit aims to educate visitors about the history of the Christiansburg Institute and provide insights into the campus location. Although the project is still ongoing, the exhibit will be available for viewing during the Christiansburg Institute's Juneteenth celebration on Jun. 17. The curator, Jenny Nehr, hopes that visitors will grasp the significance of the Christiansburg Institute and its impact on the region. Following the Juneteenth event, the exhibit will be accessible to the public through appointments only. (WDBJ)
2. The Montgomery County Fire-EMS Department celebrated its first anniversary of service by hosting an awards banquet. EMT Taylor Fisher, EMT Cara Marshall, Paramedic Murjan Hammad, Paramedic Bradley Hancock, and Chief Clyde Hodges were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the community. Life Saving Awards were also presented to several providers for their prompt and skilled actions that directly saved lives. Click the link to view photos. (Montgomery County Fire-EMS Department)
3. The Community Foundation of the New River Valley has released a food assistance directory to address food insecurity in the region. The directory connects community members to 53 food assistance programs operating in the New River Valley, including Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties, and the City of Radford. The program is a collaboration with NRV Thrive, aiming to increase access to affordable nutritious food. The directory provides information on the organizations' addresses, contact details, and eligibility criteria, making it easier for those in need to seek assistance. The release of the directory comes as the region experiences a rise in demand for food assistance. (WFXRtv.com)

Today and tomorrow in Blacksburg:

Friday, May 19

• Bikesburg 2023: A Week-Long Celebration of Bicycles in Blacksburg At Downtown Blacksburg (All Day)
• Noble Man Tailgate At Northstar Church (6:00 PM)

Saturday, May 20

• Blacksburg Farmers Market At Town of Blacksburg (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• A raccoon captured in nearby Radford tested positive for rabies, as confirmed by Radford City Animal Control. However, the department reassured the public that the raccoon no longer poses a threat. To ensure the safety of pets and families, the department advised vaccinating pets, avoiding leaving them unattended outside, and maintaining a distance from wildlife. (WDBJ)
• The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office's Citizen Support Group organized a delightful lunch, and Chair Blevins from the Board of Supervisors honored Sheriff Hank Partin with a proclamation during National Police Week, expressing gratitude for those who have given their lives for the community. (Montgomery County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• To celebrate National Police Week, the Command Staff at the Blacksburg Police Department prepared a delicious breakfast on Wednesday consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, cinnamon rolls, fruit, biscuits, and juice, providing a warm meal for both the night shift to end their night and the day shift and administration to start their day. Click the link to view photos. (Blacksburg Police Department via Facebook)

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