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🌱 Patch AM: How one Blacksburg school van slashed chronic absenteeism in half

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Greetings Blacksburg! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How one Blacksburg school van slashed chronic absenteeism in half
  • How much are Blacksburg drivers paying at the pump today?
  • What a statewide farm emergency declared from Blacksburg means for Virginia

Also on today's calendar: In the Main Gallery: BRAA Annual Theme Show - We The People and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 85 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 75, low: 64.
  • Sunday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 82 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Blacksburg elementary school's van helps cut chronic absenteeism in half (wdbj7.com) — Margaret Beeks Elementary in Blacksburg is using a dedicated school van, "Bear Force One," to pick up students whose families face transportation problems, cutting chronic absenteeism from 12.6% to 6.9% in two years. The no-extra-cost program, staffed by vetted school employees, even helps families reach medical and therapy appointments and is now inspiring similar efforts at other county schools.
   

2. Virginia Gas Prices: Cheapest and most expensive places to fill up - Sept. 17, 2026 (wsls.com) — Drivers in Blacksburg are paying about $4.15 for regular gas and $6.14 for diesel as prices spike across Virginia amid higher crude costs and global tensions. The report compares New River Valley prices with nearby cities and highlights some of the cheapest stations elsewhere in the state, helping you plan where and when to fill up.
   

3. Spanberger declares state of emergency as Virginia farmers battle hay shortage, drought (wsls.com) — From Blacksburg, state leaders and Virginia Tech experts are warning that a severe hay shortage and drought have pushed farmers into emergency mode, prompting Gov. Spanberger to declare a state of emergency. The move lets overwidth trailers haul more hay as producers face slashed yields, soaring diesel costs, and worries about whether their herds and multigeneration farms can survive a harsh winter.
   

4. Christiansburg volleyball outlasts Cave Spring, 3-1 (wsls.com) — Area volleyball fans can note that Blacksburg swept William Byrd 3–0 in Thursday's action, while Christiansburg topped Cave Spring 3–1 to stay hot in River Ridge play. A full slate of other regional match results rounds out a busy night for high school teams across Southwest Virginia.
   

📸 Around Blacksburg

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Goodwill Industries of the Valleys posted a job opening for Hanger - Part Time in Blacksburg. Apply here.
  • Arby's posted a job opening for Team Member in Blacksburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Blacksburg here.

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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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