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🌱 How will Craig County schools boost SOL scores this year?
New Castle, Virginia Patch AM: a 4 min readMorning New Castle! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How will Craig County schools boost SOL scores this year?
- Can the Rockets finally notch a win in Thursday’s home match?
Also on today's calendar: SWVA Pride Fest 2026 - "Celebrating 5 Years of Pride".
Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 90 and low of 64 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Hot and humid; a p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 91, low: 69.
- Friday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 85 and low of 68 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Wheeler reviews SOL results, outlines instructional priorities (newcastlerecord.com) — Craig County families in and around New Castle are learning how local schools performed on recent Standards of Learning tests and what changes are planned this year. Superintendent Jason Wheeler told the School Board that scores trail state and consortium averages but highlighted past gains, detailed new curriculum and assessment strategies, and noted upcoming generator work that will briefly close the McCleary playground. 
• Volleyball team has three games in three days (newcastlerecord.com) — Craig County volleyball fans in New Castle can catch Narrows visiting for a Pioneer District match Thursday at 7 p.m., with another home match against Parry McCluer next Tuesday. The Rockets are still seeking their first win after recent losses to North Cross and Narrows, making this home stretch especially important for local supporters.
📸 Around New Castle
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
New Castle
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Family Paint Party →
Hanging Rock Tavern, 1790 Thompson Memorial Dr, Salem
6:00 pm
Thursday September 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
SWVA Pride Fest 2026 - "Celebrating 5 Years of Pride" →
Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem
12:00 pm
Saturday September 26
📣 New Castle Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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BCCC Meeting →
Botetourt County Administration Center, 57 S. Center Drive, Daleville
3:00 pm -
Volleyball (A) - Covington - 5:30pm
Central Academy Middle School Fincastle, VA 24090
5:30 pm -
Football (H) - SMLCA - 5:30pm
Central Academy Middle School Fincastle, VA 24090
5:30 pm -
NSA Super World Adult Slow Pitch Championship →
Botetourt Sports Complex, 160 Preston Parkway, Troutville
8:00 am -
GRES Fun Run PK/K/1st
Greenfield Elementary School Troutville, VA 24175
8:15 am -
Movie Night
Breckinridge Elementary School Fincastle, VA 24090
6:00 pm -
An Evening With Shadowgrass →
5 Points Music Sanctuary, 1217 Maple Ave SW, Roanoke
8:00 pm -
Cross Country (A) - Clash with the Titans - Hidden Valley HS - 8:30
Central Academy Middle School Fincastle, VA 24090
8:30 am -
Southeast Crab Feast - Roanoke (VA) →
Big Lick Brewing Company, LLC, 409 Salem Ave SW, Roanoke
1:00 pm -
Northwood at Lord Botetourt →
1435 Roanoke Rd, Daleville
1:30 pm
Thursday September 17
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Bank of Botetourt posted a job opening for Universal Banker in Daleville. Apply here.
- Integer Holdings Corporation posted a job opening for Associate Machine Operator-1 in Salem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near New Castle here.
🗞 Nearby News
Salem
- Trails, Greenways and Scenery in Salem, VA (blueridgeoutdoors.com)
- VDOT pronounces three lanes open to journey on I-81 between exits 137-141 (fooshya.com)
- Salem native PJ George is ‘super grateful' for his role with Old Crow Medicine Show (cardinalnews.org)
Roanoke
- Roanoke City eliminates permitting backlog, reviews now completed on target (wsls.com)
Ok New Castle! 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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