🌱 President Of Botswana Visits VT + Proposal For Higher Cigarette Tax

Hello, everybody. It's Friday in Blacksburg and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Warm with periods of rain. High: 78 Low: 51.
• Saturday: A couple of showers. High: 71 Low: 48.

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Blacksburg? Partner with the Blacksburg Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. President Masisi of the Republic of Botswana in Africa made a visit to Virginia Tech on Tuesday. Masisi become familiar with Virginia Tech through the research program of Professor Kathleen Alexander based in Northern Botswana, and university President Tim Sands invited Masisi to come to speak to the public on topics such as conservation and sustainable development in his country. The President's visit may be the first visit to the university made by an international head of state. (WSLS 10)
2. The Town of Blacksburg is considering increasing its cigarette tax from 30 cents to 40 cents, which would be in line with the rates charged by Christiansburg and unincorporated areas in Montgomery County. The town manager of Blacksburg, Marc Verniel, said the proposed tax increase is meant to make the town's tax rate consistent with the county's and would not apply to smokable products like cigars, vapes, and pipe tobacco. Currently, the cigarette tax provides about $200,000 per year in funding to Blacksburg, although this rate has been going down over time due to a decrease in smoking. (Virginia Tech Collegiate Times)
3. The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will hold a vote on the school's 2023-24 tuition and fees during a virtual meeting on Friday, Apr. 21 at 10 a.m. During the meeting, the board will consider increasing tuition and the Educational and General fee anywhere from 0 percent to 4.9 percent as well as a potential increase of percent to 8.8 percent for mandatory non-Educational and General fees. The open session will be livestreamed for those interested in watching, but there will be no option for public comment. (Virginia Tech Daily)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Blacksburg Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Blacksburg Patch newsletter possible.

Today and tomorrow in Blacksburg:

Friday, March 24

• Book Of Mountains And Seas At Street And Davis Performance Hall, Anne And Ellen Fife Theatre (7:30 PM)

Saturday, March 25

• Warm Hearth Village Arts & Craft Fair At Village Center At Warm Hearth (10:00 AM)
• Cinderella & Prince Charming Boutique At The Y Center (10:00 AM)
• Blacksburg Farmers Market At Market Square Park (10:00 AM)
• Beliveau Bridal Expo At Beliveau Farm Winery (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Fans cheered on the Virginia Tech women's basketball team as they jetted off to Seattle on Wednesday to compete against Tennessee in the Sweet 16. The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. (WDBJ)
• The Town of Blacksburg is hiring! Check out all the open positions and apply today by clicking here. (Town of Blacksburg Government via Facebook)
• Officials reported that they have found a body in the search for missing Christiansburg local and former Virginia Tech professor Siegfried Holzer. The 86-year-old man has been missing since February when he left his home to go to a local store, and his car was found later in Baker, West Virginia near the end of February. The body was reportedly found in the vicinity of the abandoned vehicle. (WDBJ)

You're all caught up for today! See you soon for your next 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.