Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 15th of April.
Good morning, Blacksburg.
🎓 Education
After his start-up failed, Virginia Tech senior Marco Gonzalez Hauger built the school’s largest robotics team in four months—winning second place at SoutheastCon on a $2,300 budget—and earned a YouTube internship for summer while he will soon graduate.
The team now seeks new sponsors and members to continue its growth.
Gustavo Baptista joined the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine as a research assistant professor—he is studying Toxoplasma gondii and using CRISPR to see how the parasite changes its proteins.
He hopes his work will lead to better treatments for animals and people and plans to build his own lab while mentoring students as he prepares to move to Blacksburg.
🌲 Environment
Butterfly numbers declined by about 22% between 2000 and 2020 because many people keep their yards too neat and spray chemicals that also harm caterpillars.
Virginia Tech’s Dr. Theresa Dellinger advises planting native species (which help caterpillars grow) and leaving parts of yards unmowed to support butterfly survival.
📰 Lifestyle
Virginia Tech turfgrass specialist Mike Goatley recommends homeowners start with a soil test and use limited nitrogen on cool-season grasses this spring to protect root systems for a healthy summer lawn.
He advises applying fertilizer in split doses and delaying herbicide use until after frost risk has passed.
🎉 Blacksburg Events
Submit an event →
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!
Bonsai Painting Night at Beliveau Farm Winery
6-8 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — Ticket sales end March 21st, 2025 — Unleash your creativity while sipping wine and painting your own bonsai masterpiece.
🏠 Blacksburg Real Estate
Submit a listing →
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
💼 Blacksburg Job Board
Submit a job →
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
📣 Blacksburg Announcements
Submit an announcement →
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
Stay in the know, Blacksburg.
Free, always. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.