🌱 How a late-night fire wiped out Martinsville’s animal shelter

Good morning Martinsville! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a late-night fire wiped out Martinsville’s animal shelter
• Why a retina surgeon’s NASCAR deal matters to Martinsville race fans

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 66 and low of 43 degrees.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and warm, temps: high: 67, low: 45.
• Friday: Cloudy and cooler, with a high of 49 and low of 44 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• 3 dogs dead, animal shelter destroyed after fire in Martinsville (wset.com) — An overnight fire destroyed the Martinsville City Animal Shelter on Clearview Drive, killing three dogs despite firefighters’ efforts to control the blaze. Martinsville police and fire officials say the building is a total loss, and the Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause. Authorities plan to release more details as they learn them.
   

• Patrick Staropoli competing full time for Big Machine Racing in 2026 (jayski.com) — Race fans who pack Martinsville Speedway will soon see more of Dr. Patrick Staropoli, a retina surgeon-turned-driver who’s joining Big Machine Racing full time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. While the announcement centers on his 2026 season and Daytona debut, Martinsville is highlighted through recent Truck Series action at the speedway and his growing NASCAR presence.
   

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📸 Around Martinsville

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

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📣 Martinsville Shout Outs!

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

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 24

• CLOSED
  Radford, VA Calendar , 30 W. Main St. , Radford
  9:00 am
• Christmas Holiday - Half Day
  Vinton, VA Calendar Vinton, VA 24179
  12:00 pm
• Youth Open Gym-Basketball
  City of Danville Calendar , 125 North Floyd Street , Danville
  5:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day
  Vinton, VA Calendar Vinton, VA 24179
• Christmas Day - Recreation Center closed
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar Christiansburg, VA 24073
• WINTER SESSION PRACTICE
  Botetourt Training Center , 2726 Lee Hwy , Troutville
  6:30 pm
• Yoga at Blue Ridge Library
  Botetourt County, VA Calendar
  6:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Christmas Holiday
  Vinton, VA Calendar Vinton, VA 24179
• Christmas Holiday - Administrative Office closed
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar Christiansburg, VA 24073
• "Try Before You Buy" Wine Tasting
  SML Fine Wines , 12925 Booker T Washington Hwy #102 , Hardy
  4:00 pm
• Phat Pocket Band
  Rosie's Gaming Emporium , 1135 Vinyard Rd , Vinton
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Blacksburg Farmers Market
  Blacksburg Farmers Market & Market Square Park , 108 W Roanoke St , Blacksburg
  9:00 am

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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Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Martinsville PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• All lanes in both directions of Route 220 in northern Franklin County are blocked due to a crash and downed utility lines, with one northbound travel lane closed.
  6:55AM on Dec 22: All northbound and southbound travel lanes on US-220 at 12 miles south of I-581 in Franklin County are closed due to a crash. (Nextdoor )
• Does anyone know ware we could fill up jugs of water.
  Our well ran dry this morning and we need to flush toilets and get water to farm animals (Nextdoor Old Chatham)

• Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member, Petsense in Martinsville. Apply here.
• Lowe's posted a job opening for Full Time - Receiver/Stocker - Overnight in Martinsville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinsville here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Danville

• ‘I just didn't believe it. It seemed not real.' Danville councilman's family grateful for recovery after attack (wdbj7.com)
• Associated Designs Warm Holiday Moments Start in the Danville (prunderground.com)
• Danville Police Recover Stolen License Plate Using FLOCK Technology, Arrest Suspect for Additional Thefts (hoodline.com)

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Ok Martinsville! 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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

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