Good morning, Blacksburg.

Enrollment in Montgomery County schools has risen steadily since 2021 — but officials say ESL teacher staffing has lagged behind demand.

They will work to add more teachers as enrollment continues to grow.

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith announced on Thursday, Jan.

8 that Nathan Chen of Blacksburg High School won the Congressional App Challenge with his app Project Rush, which connects students to local volunteer work.

A student from Blacksburg was recognized in a national science contest on Thursday, Jan.

8 for outstanding scientific work. The honor spotlights local academic talent and marks a proud moment for the community.

Eastern Divide Ranger District will conduct controlled burns today on 40 acres near State Route 621 (6.5 miles from Blacksburg) to reduce wildfire risks.

Burns will proceed through the afternoon as weather permits, and no road closures are planned although residents may notice some smoke.

Local wildlife experts in Blacksburg urge residents to help native animals thrive during winter and prepare for the spring baby rush — careful steps can support a healthy start for young animals.

Kembel Tax Service says 2025 tax changes will give seniors an extra $6,000 deduction and increase the child tax credit to $2,200 while overtime pay and tips have new rules and the IRS now requires direct deposit refunds; residents should gather statements before filing.

The U.S. House approved $1.4M for a Wise-based Energy DELTA Lab project and $1M for Virginia Tech’s nuclear reactor safety research.

It also sent over $5M for local radio projects + $750k for a Bedford sewer upgrade to the Senate ahead of the Jan. 30 funding deadline.

The YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge will launch its six-week LEAN program on Jan.

13, featuring workouts, cooking demos, and a grocery shopping tour for healthy weight loss, and it runs until Feb. 17.

The YMCA introduced a LEAN Program that teaches fitness and nutrition to help community members stay healthy (sessions began on Jan.

8 and will run regularly at a local branch).

More flu cases have been reported after the holidays as a contagious H3N2 strain called subclade K spreads; health experts say at-risk individuals (elderly and those with heart, lung, or immune issues) should contact their doctor if symptoms worsen.