Good morning, Blacksburg.

Montgomery County deputies said two people from Blacksburg (Terry Allen Wakefield Jr. and Rachel Marie Wakefield) were charged with child torture, child abuse/neglect and domestic assault after a May 29 search warrant in the Norris Run area and are held without bond at Western Virginia Regional Jail.

The Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech announced its 2025-26 season with performances that include orchestras, Broadway musicals, jazz and dance shows + family favorites.

Subscriptions are available in several tiers that offer discounts and early access to Broadway tickets, while individual tickets go on sale July 31 at 10 a.m.

Virginia Tech students at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg use the Wildlife Ward to quickly care for injured birds and other wild animals until trained professionals in Roanoke can provide further treatment.

The club offers hands-on training and works closely with local animal control to fill a needed gap in regional wildlife support.

Virginia Tech has asked international students to remain in the U.S. amid visa uncertainty and travel bans on 19 countries—colleges urged them to return to campus early this summer.

The institution said that including diverse global perspectives is key to solving big challenges.

A pilot program is underway between Virginia Tech’s Sanghani Center for AI and Data Analytics and Children’s National Hospital to reduce the number of high acuity pediatric patients leaving the ER without care—if more than two patients are predicted to leave early, a surge team will be deployed. The project uses advanced AI models to help manage ER overcrowding.

Pet safety experts warn that rising summer heat puts dogs and cats at risk if owners do not check pavement temperature and avoid leaving pets in cars—experts recommend using a seven-second test and walking pets during cooler hours.

They add that pet owners should watch for signs of heat stroke and provide plenty of water and shade during outdoor activities.

Lavender Fest Days

12-6 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — $8.00 entry — Immerse yourself in the sights and scents of lavender while enjoying local vendors, live music, and specialty drinks.

Salsa Under The Stars

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — $12 per person — Dance the night away with a salsa lesson and vibrant music under the stars.