🌱 Patch AM: Blacksburg councilor faces felony election charges; what’s happening in court?

Cheers Blacksburg! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Blacksburg councilor faces felony election charges; what’s happening in court?
• Blacksburg community remembers Virginia Tech servant-leader William “Bill” Holbach
• How is Virginia Tech linking junk food to overeating in young adults?

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Breezy with periods of sun, with a high of 48 and low of 22 degrees.
• Monday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 47, low: 31.
• Tuesday: Cloudy with showers around, with a high of 54 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Blacksburg town councilor pleads not guilty to election fraud (newsvirginian.com) — A sitting Blacksburg Town Council member, Liam Watson, has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony election-related charges as his jury trial gets underway in Montgomery County Circuit Court. The brief report notes the charges and courtroom setting but does not describe evidence or potential outcomes, and Watson remains presumed innocent while the case proceeds.
   

• Holbach, William Howard (nrvnews.com) — Longtime Virginia Tech employee and Vietnam veteran Bill Holbach is remembered for a lifetime of service to country, university, friends, and family, with special thanks extended to caregivers at Heritage Hall in Blacksburg. His family plans a future interment with military honors in Dublin and a later celebration of life, and invites memorial donations in his name instead of flowers.
   

• Why ultra-processed foods make teens eat more when they aren't hungry (progressive-charlestown.com) — New Virginia Tech research in Blacksburg finds that 18- to 21-year-olds eat more and keep snacking when not hungry after two weeks on ultra-processed diets, even when calories are tightly controlled. The small, carefully designed trial suggests local teens and college students may be especially vulnerable to junk food’s effects, raising concerns as obesity rates climb nationally. Researchers plan longer, larger follow-up studies.
   

📸 Around Blacksburg

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

📣 Blacksburg Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• Winter Solstice Celebration — Santosha Massage
  Santosha Massage , 100 Ardmore St Suite 101 , Blacksburg
  10:00 am
• VMI Keydets at Radford Highlanders Mens Basketball
  Donald N. Dedmon Center , 101 University Dr , Radford
  2:30 pm

Monday December 22

• 9:30 AM Monday Inner Radiance Yoga
  644 W Main St , Radford
  2:30 pm
• Family Paint Night – Heaven and Nature Sing
  Paint 'n Fun Ceramics , 782 New River Rd NW , Christiansburg
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• CANCELLED: Street Committee Meeting
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar , Town Hall 100 E. Main St. , Christiansburg
  6:00 pm
• CANCELLED: Regular Town Council Meeting
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar , Town Hall E. Main. St. , Christiansburg
  7:00 pm
• Regular Town Council Meeting
  Town Hall , E. Main St. , Christiansburg
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve - Recreation Center closed
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar Christiansburg, VA 24073

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day - Recreation Center closed
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar Christiansburg, VA 24073

Friday December 26

• Christmas Holiday - Administrative Office closed
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar Christiansburg, VA 24073

Monday December 29

• Family Paint Night – A Winter’s Tail
  Paint 'n Fun Ceramics , 782 New River Rd NW , Christiansburg
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• What is going on in Blacksburg?
  I have been hearing a lot of sirens (it's about 8 a.m,.) (Nextdoor Windsor Hills)

• Virginia Tech University posted a job opening for Hourly Facilities & Operations Housekeeping Worker in Blacksburg. Apply here.
• Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Assistant Manager(04290) - 905 N Main St in Blacksburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Blacksburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Christiansburg

• A Dickens Christmas (nrvnews.com)
• Appalachian Power Storm Response Update #2 (pcpatriot.com)

Radford

• Dr. William Henry Cook Jr., MD (pcpatriot.com)
• TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake (wdbj7.com)
• Turner, Judy Day (nrvnews.com)

Ok Blacksburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook