🌱 Virginia Tech Commencement + Fiber Installation on Prices Fork Road

Hello, friends! It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Blacksburg Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in town today. Today you'll read about these stories and more:

But first, your local weather:

• Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High: 74 Low: 55.
• Monday: Some rain and a thunderstorm. High: 63 Low: 45.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 72 Low: 50.

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Here are the top stories in Blacksburg today:

1. Virginia Tech received a large turnout for its commencement ceremony that took place in Blacksburg, with more than 7,000 graduates and their families gathering at Lane Stadium on Friday morning. Notably, around 4,000 Hokies graduated with honors during the event, featuring Jean Case, the Chairman of the National Geographic Society, as the keynote speaker. Attendees had been advised to arrive an hour early and enter through the southwest tunnel. Additionally, the ceremony was live-streamed for remote viewing. (WDBJ)
2. Blacksburg residents should take note of upcoming fiber installation work set to commence on May 15 at 9 a.m. along the westbound side of Prices Fork Road, spanning from Tom's Creek Road to University City Boulevard. The project is scheduled to last until May 19. Fortunately, this undertaking is not anticipated to disrupt the flow of traffic in the area. (Town of Blacksburg via Twitter)
3. In a heartwarming turn of events, a Virginia Tech employee received a life-changing gift from an unexpected source. Yang Zhang, facing kidney failure and dwindling odds, took to social media to find a live donor. Fellow Hokie, Annie Chalmers-Williams, listened to her intuition and reached out to Zhang, ultimately discovering she was a perfect match. In January 2023, Chalmers-Williams selflessly donated her left kidney, forging a deep connection between the two as they embarked on their recovery journeys. They now refer to each other as "kidney buddies for life," grateful for the newfound lease on life and the lasting impact of their remarkable story. (WSLS)

Coming up in Blacksburg:

Tuesday, May 16

• Tableside Tuesday — Blacksburg Wine Lab (5:00 PM)
• Planning Commission Work Session - Town of Blacksburg (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Animal shelters in the Blacksburg area have a variety of pets available for adoption, including dogs, cats, and other animals like pigs, birds, and horses. With millions of animals nationwide still waiting for forever homes, consider visiting these shelters to find the perfect companion for your family. (Blacksburg Patch)
• Blacksburg Parks and Recreation is offering two upcoming trips: a visit to the Barter Theater on Tuesday, May 16, and a trip to Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest on Thursday, May 18. Interested individuals can register for these trips by calling 540-443-1142, with transportation and admission included in the trip fees. (Town of Blacksburg, VA)
• The Blacksburg Library has a plethora of exciting activities awaiting you! Upcoming Blacksburg library events this week include a book discussion on “Einstein’s Fridge” on Tuesday, May 16, a Loops Group crafting session on Wednesday, May 17, a community Quilting Bee on Thursday, May 18, and more. (Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Sunday! I'll be back in your inbox soon with 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.