🌱 Small Business To Support + Train Derailment + Sidewalk Closure

Hey, neighbors! It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 87 Low: 63.
• Thursday: Couple of showers, t-storms. High: 85 Low: 66.

Here are the top three stories in Blacksburg today:

1. Mark Halsey, the mastermind behind "The Boardwalk" in downtown Blacksburg, adjacent to popular landmarks, has turned his retirement project into a booming success. Inspired by family tradition, the shop offers a variety of fried treats, including fried Oreos, Twinkies, Snickers, and more. Located near Virginia Tech's campus, Halsey plans to cater to the returning students with savory items like Late Night Nachos and Jumbo Pretzels, ensuring the continued popularity of The Boardwalk. Be sure to check it out! (WSLS 10)
2. A train derailment occurred in Montgomery County's Elliston/Kumis area, but fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all train cars remained upright with no spills. Norfolk Southern, the railroad company involved, expects to have the train back on the tracks and operational by the end of the day, despite some temporary traffic disruptions near the train crossing. Authorities are currently investigating the incident to determine its cause. (WDBJ)
3. Starting from 7:00 a.m. on Jul. 12, the eastbound lane of E. Roanoke Street between S. Main and Church Street will be closed for sidewalk replacement. Pedestrians are advised that the adjacent sidewalk will also be closed during this time. The demolition work involved in the sidewalk replacement project is anticipated to be completed within a day. (Town Of Blacksburg via Twitter)

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Today and tomorrow in Blacksburg:

Wednesday, July 12

• Blacksburg Farmers Market At Market Square Park (2:00 PM)
• Market Square Jam At Market Square Park (7:00 PM)

Thursday, July 13

• Community Quilting Bee At Blacksburg Public Library (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Downtown Blacksburg is looking for volunteers to assist with Art at the Market, a local art event taking place on Jul. 15 at Market Square Park. Volunteers will help with breakfast service, set up, and clean up, while attendees can enjoy artwork from more than 20 local artists and indulge in breakfast, juice, and mimosas provided by Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. Sign up here! (Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. via Facebook)
• The Montgomery County VA Chamber of Commerce is inviting individuals to join their second Lunch & Learn event on Jul. 27. The session will feature the SHOW program by Virginia Tech, offering participants the chance to take a KAI Assessment valued at $100. To register for the event, visit this link. (Montgomery County VA Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.