Good morning, Blacksburg.

Happy Monday. The Hokies are 3-0, the rain is back, and we’re finally in fall. A soggy-day fact for you: the smell of rain has a name, petrichor, and part of it comes from a compound called geosmin that the human nose can detect at parts per trillion.

In today's Blacksburg Connect:

Let’s get to it.

Thunderstorms are on the menu today. Blacksburg hits a high of 81 with a low of 63, a 60% chance of storms, and close to three quarters of an inch of rain possible.

An $8.3 million improvement project at the intersection of Route 685 (Prices Fork Road) and Route 114 (Peppers Ferry Road) in Montgomery County begins Monday, September 28, weather permitting. WDBJ7 / NRV News

The work adds a new right turn lane for drivers heading west on Peppers Ferry Road to turn onto northbound Prices Fork Road, plus a new right turn lane for drivers heading south on Prices Fork Road to turn onto westbound Peppers Ferry Road. The project also widens the Peppers Ferry Road eastbound shoulder south of the intersection, adds pedestrian accommodations and drainage improvements, and replaces the existing traffic signal.

The intersection will remain open at all times, but drivers should expect lane closures and flagging operations between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. as needed. VDOT advises watching for signs and message boards in the area. The work is expected to wrap up in late 2027.nd message boards in the area. The work is expected to wrap up in late 2027.

For the latest road conditions, VDOT points drivers to its free 511 app or 511 Virginia.

Two meteor showers peak next month, and one of the best dark-sky spots in the state is right up the road.

The Draconids peak the night of October 8. The shower runs October 6-10, and unlike most showers it is best viewed right after sunset, with the radiant high in the northwestern sky at nightfall. Expect around 5 to 10 meteors an hour under dark skies.

The Orionids, debris from Halley's Comet, peak the night of October 21-22. These are best in the hours before sunrise, with around 10 to 20 meteors an hour from a dark location. A waxing gibbous moon will wash out some of the fainter ones, so the darkest spot you can find matters.

Natural Bridge State Park holds its next Dark Sky Night on Saturday, October 10, 8 to 10 p.m. at the Skyline Trailhead parking lot. The park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2021, and October 10 is a new moon, so conditions should be about as good as it gets. Standard park admission applies; no extra fee, no registration, kids welcome.

And if you go, make it a twofer: the park lights up the 200-foot arch for Illumination of the Bridge the same night, 7 to 9 p.m.

A rezoning request that would bring a major residential development to the historic Fotheringay property in Elliston is still working its way through Montgomery County. The decision is pending. WFXR / The Roanoke Star

According to the applicant's own description in the county Planning Commission agenda, Fotheringay, LLC is asking to rezone about 276.66 acres to Planned Unit Development - Residential for a master planned community mixing single-family detached homes, estate homes, and townhomes. Montgomery County Planning Commission agenda

Two options are on the table. Option 1 is 152 townhomes plus 197 single-family homes, for 349 total. Option 2 adds 13.16 acres next to Eastern Montgomery High School as 51 more single-family homes, for 400 total. Under Option 1, the county gets a right of first refusal to buy that school-adjacent land, and if the county does not buy it within a set timeframe, it defaults to Option 2. Either way, buildout would be phased over 5 to 8 years, with public roads, sidewalks, a multiuse trail, and open space beyond the minimum PUD requirements, with development clustered to preserve environmentally sensitive land and scenic features.

Hokies move to 3-0. Virginia Tech beat Maryland 35-26 on Saturday night at SECU Stadium.

VT men's soccer rallies past Duke 4-2. Twice coming from behind Friday night in Durham. Sophomore defender Amir Ariely scored his first career brace, and it is the Hokies' first win over Duke since 2019. VT is 4-2-1 (2-0-1 ACC) and hosts Queens (NC) Tuesday at 6pm at Thompson Field. hokiesports.com

Allegiant brings back ROA to Sarasota. Allegiant's Roanoke to Sarasota/Bradenton service returns in March 2027. Tickets are on sale now, with a March 8 fare seen from $95 when we checked on September 20.

VT Presidential Search Committee met virtually Friday to share the status of the search to replace outgoing President Tim Sands. news.vt.edu

Christiansburg EMS is the first agency in Virginia to put a crash-rated pediatric restraint system into service. WSLS

Radford University will expand direct admission to its nursing program for fall 2027 freshmen. radford.edu

Post-game buzz: Franklin and Reynolds were spotted high-fiving VT fans at the Maryland game on Saturday. Facebook post

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