Good morning, Blacksburg.

100+ Women Who Care of the New River Valley donated $10,500 on May 20 to Calfee Community and Cultural Center in Pulaski, which began as a school and now offers education plus childcare.

The group holds its meeting on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:15 p.m. at Warm Hearth in Blacksburg.

Blacksburg’s Municipal Park on Patrick Henry Drive got a new climbing area last week as the Department of Parks and Recreation unveiled Boulder Park with two bouldering walls + two shotcrete structures from Oregon and Colorado; the project cost about $300,000.

A rest area on I-81 in Montgomery County is closed today due to a hazmat incident + state emergency agencies are on scene and expect delays but report no public danger.

Virginia rolled out its first solar energy affordability program on Tuesday, July 14 to help families lower energy costs + boost access to clean power.

The program will accept applications soon as efforts to expand solar savings begin for local residents.

The state passed a budget compromise after a two-month impasse, but the plan fails to recoup billions lost from data center tax breaks and leaves key environmental impacts unaddressed.

The Piedmont Environmental Council calls for a comprehensive state plan to manage air + water quality.

Montgomery County school officials discussed a new oversight plan after a $4.1M budget overage forced emergency measures (the plan seeks to prevent future overages).

3 Birds Berry Farm on Brooksfield Road in Prices Fork invites families to pick freshly ripened blueberries despite a near-50% crop loss from recent frost.

Blueberries are $3 a pint and raspberries and blackberries will be ready from late July (pesticide-free) on its 12-acre farm.

Craig Huxtable, a graduating soccer star from Blacksburg High School, was named Virginia State High School Boys Soccer Player of the Year and All-American after leading his team to a state championship.

He scored 31 goals + 9 assists in 2026, finishing with 72 goals and 35 assists.

Blacksburg junior Sam Szefc earned All-County and All-City honors after leading his baseball team to a postseason appearance and district championship while posting a .625 average and 1.93 ERA.

Coach Jonathan Hagee shared coach of the year honors plus Auburn’s Eric Altizer retired after 39 seasons.

Auburn High School's standout first baseman Kaylee Ramrattan (with a .506 average and seven homeruns) was named all-county, all-city player of the year this spring, while her teammate Skyler Hodges earned pitcher of the year honors with 11 shutouts; coaches from Auburn and Eastern Montgomery also shared top awards.

Muck Around & Find Stout Tour

Aug 8-9 — The Milk Parlor — Cost info not provided — Enjoy an eclectic mix of folk-rock with Irish and Gypsy influences from The Muckers.