Good morning, Blacksburg.

Savvy-Swap is offering deep discounts on women’s and teen girls’ clothing this week for budget-conscious shoppers.

Local patrons can take advantage of the sale for affordable seasonal updates.

Patrick Fromal, president of Shimadzu Scientific Instruments and Virginia Tech alum 94, visited campus on May 13 to cut the ribbon for a new laboratory space in the Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building—marking the SPARQ partnership with the university.

Destiny Hancock, a 29 year old teen mom who beat the odds—only 2% walk the stage before turning 30—will graduate from Virginia Tech with a degree in public relations and marketing this Saturday.

Her family and friends will join in celebrating her achievement.

The College of Natural Resources and Environment held its Spring Awards Celebration in March to honor top alumni, students, faculty, and staff from the 2024-25 year and marked Dean Paul Winistorfer’s final event as he retired with the Distinguished Career Excellence Award.

Other awards went to figures like Dennis Treacy and Hugo Mogollan along with outstanding students and graduate teaching assistants (recognizing their work in conservation, research, and leadership).

Undergraduate researchers at Virginia Tech showcased original computer science projects at VTURCS on April 29 in the Squires Ballroom, where students presented work on robotics, computing, and environmental innovation to faculty, industry representatives, and peers.

The event honored winners such as the People’s Choice Award for the Bun Appétit gaming app—designed to maintain family connections—and recognized projects for exploring privacy risks in AR/VR and innovative educational experiences.

Virginia Tech student Ayda Haydarpour discussed her experience as the new film Rule Breakers shows the journey of the Afghan Dreamers—the first Afghan Girls Robotics Team that overcame cultural and financial barriers to compete globally.

She said the movie helps people see that girls in science and technology can achieve great things.

Virginia Tech Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril R.

Clarke announced he will step down and return to teaching at the end of this year. He led key projects with President Tim Sands and faculty to strengthen the university’s core missions — a national search for his successor will soon begin.

Virginia Tech’s Manufacturing Work Cell team built an autonomous 3D print farm that automatically swaps build plates to reduce downtime from hours to 5-10 minutes and earned first place in Additive Manufacturing along with the Honda Innovation Award at the National Robotics Challenge in April. The team designed a cost-effective system (costing $3,000) that integrates a web-based queue to support VT CRO’s eight design teams.

After a dry March and April, heavy rain fell over our area, with creeks overflowing and hillsides sliding as many locations received 1 to 4 inches and Apple Orchard Mountain recorded 7 inches—this rain ended the drought for now.

A 12-year-old boy was swept away in Albemarle County, and warmer weather with more storms is expected later this week as a cold front moves in.

The Town of Blacksburg has named John Clair as the new Police Chief who will take over from Chief Todd Brewster when he retires on July 1.

Clair, a U.S. Army veteran who recently led the Marion department through major improvements in crime reduction and community engagement, will begin his duties on June 16 — a change the town expects will strengthen local policing.

Paint Nite: Perfect Spring Lookout

6-8 p.m. — Rising Silo Brewery — $45 per person, supplies included — Unleash your creativity in a fun painting party hosted by The Heartworks Co.

Summer Flora Candle Making Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — $41 plus fees — Craft two custom candles with summer floral scents while enjoying a relaxing winery atmosphere.