Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $15 million gift could change local pet cancer care.

Be sure to catch Nrv Aarp/Toc Health Fair on the Blacksburg Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 15th Patch AM
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Good day Blacksburg! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $15 million gift could change local pet cancer care.
  • How much are Blacksburg drivers paying at the pump this week?
  • Blacksburg High alumna from the Class of 1949 remembered at 95.

Also on today's calendar: Nrv Aarp/Toc Health Fair and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a tail, but no body? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 79 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 84, low: 58.
  • Thursday: Very warm; a p.m. t-storm, with a high of 86 and low of 64 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

• Karen Waldron, Shawn Ricci donate $15 million to Animal Cancer Care and Research Center (vt.edu) — Pet owners in the Blacksburg area could benefit from a record $15 million gift to Virginia Tech's Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke, which partners closely with the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg. The donation from Shawsville residents Karen Waldron and Shawn Ricci will expand advanced cancer treatment for animals and support research that may also improve human care, keeping top-tier services close to home.
   

• Virginia Gas Prices: Cheapest and most expensive places to fill up - Sept. 14, 2026 (wsls.com) — Drivers in Blacksburg are now paying about $4.11 for regular gas, with midgrade, premium, and diesel all topping $4.50 per gallon in the New River Valley. Prices have jumped sharply over the past week across Virginia, driven by refinery disruptions and global tensions, and analysts warn residents to expect continued volatility at the pump.
   

• Josephine Elizabeth Orem (carolinereview.com) — A woman who was born in Blacksburg and graduated from Blacksburg High School's Class of 1949 has passed away at age 95. Though she later lived in Greensboro, her roots remained in the New River Valley. Her family and friends remember her love of travel, collectibles, cowboy movies, and her dog, and suggest memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society.
   

📸 Around Blacksburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Blacksburg

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📣 Blacksburg Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • While last evening clouds did not allow observation of the new moon crescent, this evening a close conjunction of the crescent moon and Venus occurred.
    Tomorrow evening the distance will be about 1.5 degrees farther than what it was tonight, with the moon to the upper left of Venus. (Nextdoor Shenandoah)
  • Any body have any sailing experience on smith mountain lake and would be willing to share.
    I took a dive and got a 26ft sailboat with no experience (Nextdoor Tom's Creek)
  • Newport Hospitality Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper/Room Attendant in Blacksburg. Apply here.
  • Sodexo, Inc. posted a job opening for Utility Worker in Blacksburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Blacksburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Radford

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: Coin (Thank you John W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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