Good morning, Blacksburg.

On Wednesday night, dozens of staff, students and community members gathered in Blacksburg to protest a deadly Gaza strike that killed over 400 people Tuesday.

Protestors called for an end to the bombing and a full restoration of the ceasefire—saying they would keep speaking up for Palestine in the coming weeks.

NRV Leading Lights extended the nomination deadline for volunteer awards for the 2024-2025 year so local community members can honor outstanding volunteers across the New River Valley by submitting nominations online until Friday, March 28.

The awards recognize efforts in community, high school, and college categories.

Christiansburg police arrested 56-year-old Jeffrey Norford after he robbed a Truist Bank on Thursday morning around 9 a.m. by showing a note demanding money and leaving without a weapon or harming anyone—he was caught less than two hours later behind Uptown Mall and is now held at Montgomery County Jail on charges of wearing a mask and defrauding the bank.

Christiansburg Police arrested a man after he robbed Truist Bank on March 20th; Jeffrey Wayne Norford (56) from Radford entered the bank at 9 a.m. with a note demanding money and was later caught behind Uptown Mall with no one harmed.

A 56-year-old man was arrested after he reportedly robbed Truist Bank in Christiansburg on Thursday morning at 9 a.m.—he left after showing a note demanding money, was caught less than two hours later, and now faces charges including unarmed bank robbery and related offenses.

Virginia Tech’s Accessibility Awareness Week will run from March 31st through April 5th as a six-day event on digital and physical accessibility—offering open houses, workshops, challenges and film screenings that invite the university community to engage with accessible design.

The event, themed Accessibility by Design, will be free for all participants.

Blacksburg’s new transit center is now open, fulfilling a 30-year dream—its $26 million facility boosts efficiency and ridership for Blacksburg Transit by offering waiting areas, offices, a parking garage and a bike repair area.

Mark Renton, a postdoctoral associate at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, received an American Heart Association fellowship to study how the pannexin-1 protein affects blood flow in obesity-related heart conditions.

His research will look at whether changes in the protein lead to blood vessel spasms that cause heart and other health problems.

Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery explained his plans for spring practice — he said he will focus on structured drills and teamwork to boost the Hokies’ offense — and noted these strategies aim to lead to improved results before the season begins.

Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Radford Highlanders

1 p.m. — English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park — VIP tickets available — Witness the spirited matchup between these local college teams in a lively baseball atmosphere.

Spring Candle Making Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — Ticket required — Craft two personalized soy candles while enjoying wine and treats in a spring-inspired setting.

Virginia Tech vs. Troy Baseball Match

3:30 a.m. — English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park — Tickets available — Watch the Virginia Tech Hokies face off against the Troy Trojans in an exciting baseball matchup.

Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Tech Hokies Baseball

1-5 p.m. — English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park — Tickets required — Come watch the Hokies face off against the Seminoles in an exciting afternoon of college baseball.

The Grass Is Dead: Bluegrass Tribute

8 PM – 12 AM — The Milk Parlor — $ — Experience America's original bluegrass tribute to the music of the Grateful Dead and beyond!