Good morning Blacksburg! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Punkin' Chunkin' and Makenzie Phipps Live at Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Smith, Janie Price (nrvnews.com) — Blacksburg is mourning the passing of 97-year-old Elizabeth "Janie" Smith, a lifelong local who worked downtown, supported Virginia Tech football fans by parking cars, and raised a large family. Friends and neighbors can pay respects at McCoy Funeral Home on Monday and attend her funeral service there on Tuesday morning, followed by burial in Smith Cemetery.
2. Drought Hampers Hay Production in Parts of Mid-Atlantic (lancasterfarming.com) — Farmers from Staunton south to Blacksburg are facing extreme drought, with hay yields in Virginia down an estimated 500,000 tons and many livestock producers scrambling to buy forage from other states. If you rely on local hay or cattle operations around Blacksburg, expect tighter supplies, higher prices, and producers turning to backup crops and aggressive herd culling to get through winter.
3. Supporters speak out on proposed Fotheringay housing development in Elliston (wdbj7.com) — A major rezoning proposal in Elliston could add up to 349 homes in Montgomery County, with supporters arguing the area deserves growth similar to nearby Blacksburg and Christiansburg. County supervisors will hold a public hearing Tuesday, weighing concerns about traffic, stormwater, and rural character before deciding whether the development should move forward.
4. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? A Smarter Path Forward for Produce Safety (producebusiness.com) — Virginia Tech experts in Blacksburg are helping lead a shift toward "predictive produce safety," using data, sensors, and AI to spot food safety risks before outbreaks occur. Their work, along with national partners, could influence how local farms, packers, and retailers around Blacksburg manage irrigation water, worker hygiene, and traceability, potentially improving both safety and confidence in the fresh produce you buy.
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Ok Blacksburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
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