Good morning, Blacksburg.

The Virginia Tech Hokie Club will host a family-friendly movie night at English Field in Blacksburg on Saturday, August 9 with a showing of Despicable Me 4, giveaways, and treats.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 7:30 p.m.—tickets cost $8 for kids under 12 and $12 for adults while attendees bring their own blankets.

Dirty Dancing DAYS Summer Festival returns at Mountain Lake Lodge on August 16 with a lodging package offered from August 15-17 that includes festival tickets, dining credit and breakfast.

Locals are urged to call 540-626-7121 to book their stay as tickets are expected to sell fast.

The Arts Center at Virginia Tech (formerly known as Moss Arts Center) has tickets available for its 2025-2026 season, and subscriptions and individual performance tickets are on sale while the season begins with a free performance from Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano on Sept.

5, followed by The Hot Sardines on Sept. 19 and Step Afrika! on Sept. 27.

Dusty Spence, the ISS coordinator at Blacksburg High School, has been named the 2025-26 National Life Group LifeChanger Award Winner and will share a $3,000 prize with her school.

She was chosen from over 750 nominees for her strong leadership and continuous support of students despite her health challenges—she inspires many in our community.

Montgomery County Public School Board approved a personnel report on July 29 that named Amanda Weidner as Interim Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction effective July 30 and appointed new principals for Falling Branch Elementary, Christiansburg Elementary and Christiansburg Primary. The board also approved additional hires for various school roles and selected high school student representatives — with policy changes scheduled for a vote on Aug. 19.

Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library and Christiansburg Branch updated the board on fiscal year successes—such as a 16% increase in card holders and new community spaces—and outlined plans to renovate the Blacksburg and Christiansburg libraries to meet state standards.

The board also set a public hearing for Aug. 25 to consider establishing voter satellite offices for in-person absentee voting on Nov. 4 and approved several funding measures for local projects.

Virginia Tech Helmet Lab updated its rating system for bicycle—varsity football—and youth football helmets to reflect improved testing standards and preserve the meaning of a five-star rating.

The new thresholds reduce the number of helmets that earn five stars while continuing to recommend four- and five-star helmets for solid protection.

Virginia Tech released its non-conference men’s basketball schedule that shows mostly mid-major games and an interesting match against Providence in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Series.

The Hokies will play an exhibition game versus Duquesne on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. and open the season against Charleston Southern on Nov. 3 + they will also play in a tournament in Paradise Island and face South Carolina in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Marquee Night Out - Classics Mixology Tasting

7:30-9 p.m. — B&B Theatres Blacksburg 11 with B-Roll Bowling — Limited seats — Learn to craft iconic cocktails like a pro while enjoying a guided tasting experience.