🌱 Patch AM: What financial fix does the outgoing mayor want from Virginia Tech?

Greetings Blacksburg! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What financial fix does the outgoing mayor want from Virginia Tech?
• How an 11-hour recount sealed Blacksburg’s next mayor
• What James Franklin’s Hokies could mean for ACC battles in Blacksburg

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Blacksburg? Post it to Blacksburg photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 50 and low of 33 degrees.
• Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 49, low: 37.
• Friday: Sunshine, windy and cooler, with a high of 43 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Outgoing Blacksburg mayor reflects on tenure (montcova.com) — Blacksburg residents are seeing a major transition as longtime Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith retires after steering town growth, housing changes, and pandemic response. She highlights new workforce housing, added open space, and policy shifts like accessory apartments and backyard chickens, while warning that Virginia Tech’s continued expansion may require a Payment in Lieu of Taxes to sustain town services.
   

• Sutphin officially declared Blacksburg mayor after recount (montcova.com) — Blacksburg now officially has a new mayor, as Michael Sutphin was confirmed the winner over Peter Macedo by 18 votes after an 11-hour recount. Judges certified the hand-checked results, and Sutphin thanked election staff and supporters. His move to the mayor’s seat will create a vacant council position that must be filled by appointment.
   

• Pitt football reveals 2026 opponents, including extra ACC contest at Cal (centredaily.com) — ACC football fans in Blacksburg will see a big change at Virginia Tech, where James Franklin is set to take over as head coach in 2026. The shake-up is highlighted as Pitt’s future schedule is unveiled, including a trip to Lane Stadium and an extra ACC game at Cal. Strength-of-schedule drama looms after a chaotic 2025 season.
   

📸 Around Blacksburg

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Family Paint Night – Tiny Tidings
  Paint 'n Fun Ceramics , 782 New River Rd NW , Christiansburg
  6:00 pm
• Commission Meeting
  Pulaski County Innovation Center , 6580 Valley Center Dr , Fairlawn
  6:00 pm

Friday December 19

• MC 2025 December Eggs & Issues: Legislative Update
  Warm Hearth Village , 2387 Warm Hearth Dr. , Blacksburg
  8:30 am

Saturday December 20

• AAU Tournament-Track and Courts closed
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar Christiansburg, VA 24073

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

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

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.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University posted a job opening for Custodial Services Worker in Blacksburg. Apply here.
• Virginia Tech University posted a job opening for Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice in Blacksburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Blacksburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Christiansburg

• Christiansburg's Shepherd named state player of year (montcova.com)
• Montgomery County farmer re-elected to Farm Bureau board (montcova.com)
• Richardson, Jessie Lee (nrvnews.com)

Radford

• Radford University and New River Community College partner to streamline student transfer process (wfxrtv.com)
• Jackson overcomes obstacles, stays on track (montcova.com)
• Dishon, Garnie Franklin (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 don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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