Good morning, Blacksburg.

Roanoke Mountain Adventures will open a new, larger space next to Black Dog Salvage on Sept.

4, offering outdoor gear, bike repairs and camping supplies along the Roanoke River Greenway (expanding to meet rising local demand).

Gas prices in Virginia have mostly stayed steady this week with regular gas averaging $3.79 per gallon while the national average reached $4.07 for August, according to AAA.

Prices in Blacksburg and nearby areas have remained consistent+ offering stable fuel costs for local drivers.

Winners of the 15th Annual STEAM-H Essay Contest were honored at a dinner at the Executive Mansion on Thursday, where Gov. Abigail Spanberger and First Gentleman Adam Spanberger celebrated high school students dedicated to STEAM-H fields, including a local winner (Margaret Thomas) from Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech was named one of 14 schools to join a new training program for mining engineers that will update its curriculum and equip students with modern skills.

The initiative will soon support future energy projects at the university (located in Blacksburg).

Energy experts at Energy Right (nonprofit) say solar is an essential part of Virginia’s diverse energy mix even though it cannot fully power the grid; data from the Solar Energy Industries Association released on June 18 shows that solar occupies only 0.37% of Virginia’s prime farmland while powering over 850,000 homes.

Neighbors in Blacksburg have raised concerns about APCO’s plan to build a small nuclear reactor near the community, and officials say public meetings will be scheduled soon to address resident questions + share detailed plans.

New River Natural Health is offering brain health tips for all ages to help residents boost wellness (details provided on Aug.

13). The initiative shares simple advice to support proactive care.

Local high school football previews include Liberty with insights on teams like Heritage Pioneers and Jefferson Forest.

Officials released updates between Aug. 8 - Aug. 12 as VHSL proposed class and alignment changes and Roanoke City Public Schools filed an appeal to keep Patrick Henry in Class 6.