🌱 Patch AM: What’s at stake in the election fraud trial of a Blacksburg councilman?

Hey there, Blacksburg! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What’s at stake in the election fraud trial of a Blacksburg councilman?
• How a new data center study could affect Blacksburg’s tech future
• How NIL money is quietly reshaping Virginia Tech athletes’ futures

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

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Partly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 44 and low of 30 degrees.
• Wednesday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, temps: high: 49, low: 31.
• Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 53 and low of 35 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Blacksburg councilman election fraud jury trial begins (wdbj7.com) — A sitting Blacksburg Town Council member is on trial over whether he falsely claimed a Blacksburg address to qualify for the 2023 election, after concerns from residents prompted an investigation. Prosecutors say he never lived at the Millhurst Street address he used, while the defense argues he was committed to the community and only used it to meet residency rules. Testimony from the mayor and elections officials continues today.
   

• Montgomery supervisors consider seeking study on data center zoning (cardinalnews.org) — Montgomery County supervisors are weighing whether to study new zoning rules for data centers, noting an existing smaller data facility in Blacksburg’s Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. The board will also consider tax penalty relief after recent bad weather, a new tax category for volunteer responders’ vehicles, and numerous appointments to regional boards and authorities.
   

• NIL shaping future's of Virginia Tech athletes (wdbj7.com) — Right here in Blacksburg Tech athletes are using new Name, Image and Likeness opportunities to build real financial foundations while they play. Former walk-on Kyle Lowe describes going from barely understanding bank accounts to investing in mutual funds and planning retirement, and says NIL has even inspired him to pursue a career teaching financial literacy to others.
   

📸 Around Blacksburg

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• VTCRC 40th Anniversary Celebration
  The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center , 901 Prices Fork Rd , Blacksburg
  6:00 pm

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

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

• I'm looking for someone willing to do some sewing for me.
  My machine is in storage at the moment. First, I have several pairs of new jersey sweatpants with elastic cuffs. I need the cuffs redone to a… (Nextdoor Mount Tabor)

• Virginia Tech University posted a job opening for Custodial Services Worker in Blacksburg. Apply here.
• Sodexo, Inc. posted a job opening for Utility Worker in Blacksburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Blacksburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Christiansburg

• Martin, Ralph Edward (nrvnews.com)
• Hudson, Beverly Wolfe (nrvnews.com)

Radford

• 2027 guard Isaac Ellis, former South Carolina pledge, commits to Louisville (on3.com)
• Pratt, Violet Carol (nrvnews.com)

Dublin

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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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