Good morning, Blacksburg.

Laurel Craghead (originally from Cape Cod) has been named vice president of private and business banking at Freedom First and brings 23 years of experience to serve members in the Smith Mountain Lake, Roanoke, and New River Valley areas.

She will use her people-first approach to support local banking needs.

High Roller Provisions, a new farm-to-market store owned by Hazel Rakes (a local farmer and mother), is now open at 4 W.

Main St. in downtown Christiansburg, offering locally raised meat, eggs, baked goods and regional products while planning food-making classes.

Virginia Tech Athletics announced today that Ryan Gottlieb has been named Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Strategy Officer.

He will lead efforts to boost revenue and modernize operations + enhance fan engagement in Blacksburg.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved a $3.5 million emergency appropriation last week to cover a school budget shortfall caused by internal spending failures.

Superintendent Guempel said he will schedule an audit & form oversight committees next fiscal year while grant funds are expected to reimburse the county.

Virginia Cooperative Extension agent Scott Baker said warmer spring and summer temperatures have led to spotted lanternflies hatching two weeks earlier than last year, so residents may soon see flying adults and only adults by early August+ those with plant concerns can ask local extension agents for guidance.

Yesterday, the FAA awarded $2,927,304 from DOT funds to the Virginia Tech Montgomery Regional Airport Authority to repair apron pavement and taxiway at the VT Montgomery Executive Airport in Blacksburg.

Congressman Morgan Griffith said the grant boosts a key infrastructure project + improves airport conditions.

At the SWVSL meet on Tuesday, June 30, local swimmers raced at Shawnee Swim Club; Declan Miller won the 9-10 25-meter freestyle in 20.51 seconds and five-year-old Canaan Perrine and Calder Ross led event contests (facing NRV Stingrays, Shawnee Sharks, and Randolph Park Riptide teams).

Virginia Tech will induct seven new members into its Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct.

3 at The Inn at Virginia Tech. They will be honored at halftime during Friday’s football game at Lane Stadium, including coach Jerry Cheynet (wrestling, soccer) and wrestler Chris Martin among others.