Collegiate Times

The Thune Amendment, which many April 16 families voiced opposition to, has been defeated in the U.S. Senate, according to this Washington Post report.

More on this later. Zc

If you haven’t seen my report on today’s developments, check it out here.

Just as a note, Virginia Tech will respond to the events later today, as media have been invited to Burruss Hall at 2 p.m.

So, check back for more information. Zc

According to this Newsday report, Virginia Tech will add Boise State to its schedule in 2010 and 2011.

The report said Syracuse has asked out of its scheduled games. The 2010 game would be played at FedEx Field near Washington, D.C.

More on this later. Zc

Former Hokie great Michael Vick has completed his sentence for running a dogfighting ring.

He is now, theoretically, free to play football. However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will decide when and if Vick can play in the nation’s premiere professional league.

Two interesting articles can be found here on Sports Illustrated’s website.

The link is to an article in favor of Vick returning and at the top of that page you can jump to the opposing viewpoint. Zc

Sorry if updates are a little sparse this week. The Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech is hosting JCamp this week, training over 100 high school journalists from, I believe three states.

So, our newsroom is a little busy, but I have a couple updates for you to take a look at.

• First up: As this News Leader article reports, the Carilion Virginia Tech Medical school has been approved as a postsecondary institution by the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia. This gives the school the ability to start seeking outside funding such as tuition assistance grants.
• Next up, families of April 16 victims are taking a stand on a piece of legislation in Congress. The bill, the Thune Concealed Carry Amendment, would allow concealed carry permits to transfer into Virginia from states with different requirements for the permit. According to a press release, they will run a full page ad in the Richmond Times-Dispatch asking Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner to vote against the amendment. Over 25 families are listed on the letter.
  Update: Here is a link to the full-page ad being run in the Richmond-Times Dispatch. – PsM

I’ll try and keep the updates coming. Zc

According to this Roanoke Times report, former Virginia Tech football player Jahre Cheeseman has agreed to a plea deal that will not include jail time.

Charges of assault of petit larceny and assault were dropped and a charge of obstruction of justice was changed to a disorderly conduct.

He pleaded no contest to the disorderly conduct charge and was sentenced to a suspended sentence of 60 days. Cheeseman is on probation for 12 months and must continue psychological evaluation and counseling.

Cheeseman was arrested after an incident at the University Gateway Center earlier this month. He was accused of taking papers from a university employee and fleeing when police arrived. Zc

A little music news from the News Blog. I kept noticing Twitter posts this morning exulting that the Cowboy Junkies were coming to Blacksburg.

The alternative rock band with country twinges is indeed playing at the Lyric Theatre on October 15.

The band’s Web site says admission will be between $25-30.

The Lyric’s Web site says tickets will go on sale Sept. 3. Zc

Italian restaurant Ceritano’s has not been using a large portion of their N. Main Street address. Now, they are seeking to change that, and add to Blacksburg’s nightlife while they are at it.

Owner Nino Ceritano said he is submitting architectural plans to Blacksburg building officials in hopes of transforming the back of his building into a nightclub that will host live music.

Formerly the Virginia Tech Museum of Natural History, the building that houses Ceritano’s has a space of about 5,000 sq. feet which they hope to renovate.

Ceritano said he needs permits from the town to begin planning the nightclub.

He said it would be geared toward college students, with a focus on hosting live music.

Due to its former life as a museum, it even has a second floor balcony area, Ceritano said it would likely be the largest venue in town.

He does not yet have a timetable for opening the nightclub, but said construction needed to transform the space would be minimal. Adding a stage would be the main goal of a renovation.

Read more about this story in tomorrow’s Collegiate Times. Zc

Virginia Tech engineering students have built a dirt buggy that assists the blind in driving.

It sounds nearly impossible, but the project, as described in this news release, has certainly taken some steps in the right direction.

The Blind Driver Challenge, as it is called, will be featured at the National Federation of the Blind’s Youth Slam in College Park, Maryland later this month. Zc

Airport authorities confirmed a plane crashed at Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport today.

A Roanoke Times report said the plane struck an embankment.

Virginia State Police are handling the investigation of the accident. Zc