Arts, Leisure and Sports

Virginia Tech said today the contract of director of athletics Whit Babcock has been extended five years through June 2029. Babcock was originally appointed to that post in January 2014. A news release notes that, “During the 2020-21 academic year Babcock helped guide Tech Athletics through one of the most turbulent times in the modern history of college athletics as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted lives, families and economies across the globe.”

They’ve had to get a bit creative with patron parking as a 3-story plus parking garage and an expansion that will enable Rosie’s Gaming in Vinton to go from 150 to 500 Historic Racing gaming machines takes place (not to mention a 40-seat bar and a live entertainment section), but Regional General Manager Ernie Dellaverson says they should be able to cut another ribbon by November:

Pete Eshelman (at podium) salutes Liz Belcher (seated). G Marrano photo

The Roanoke Valley Greenways Coordinator since that job came into existence in 1996 steps down in a few days. Well-wishers and those Liz Belcher has worked with as the greenway and natural surface trail system grew over the past 25 years celebrated that legacy on Wednesday, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports: