Good morning, Lynchburg.

United Way of Virginia announced the return of its Blue Ridge Heroes Project to honor local heroes in Lynchburg.

The program will resume soon to spur volunteer engagement and community support.

Sugar Rush Candy Shop at River Ridge Mall will close this month as owner Christina Long retires from the candy business.

A storewide sale will be held next Monday so customers can grab a last taste of their favorite sweets.

A new group of five tech and life sciences startups introduced themselves at RAMP’s Meet the Cohort event held Thursday at the Shenandoah Club.

Code One Training Solutions celebrated its 100th location in Apex while Virginia Tech Libraries received a 10,000-dollar grant to explore ethical AI uses in digital collections.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources announced that the Randolph-Macon Woman’s College Historic District in Lynchburg and Montvale High School in Bedford County were recently named state landmarks on the Virginia Landmarks Register.

The designations highlight the sites as important heritage assets.

Amazement Square celebrates 25 years in Lynchburg after welcoming nearly 2 million visitors and energizing downtown revitalization (its longstanding impact on art and community life is clear).

E.C. Glass High School principal Dani Rule left last week, and many students and parents signed a petition calling for him to stay (the community is now seeking clear reasons for his departure).

University of Lynchburg held its first international student cording ceremony on campus and honored 10 graduates with cords and speeches that celebrated each student’s journey.

Eric Bell ’89, an alumnus and trustee, established the Lester M. and Audrey Dodd Bell Scholarship Fund with a $50,000 gift to support University of Lynchburg business and nursing students.

The Bedford County Planning Commission approved expanding a townhome project from 53 to 82 units with new fencing and traffic improvements.

Neighbors voiced safety concerns and the final board vote on the updated plan will come later.

Tuesday was the home opener game for the Hill City Howlers, who featured 18 returning championship players and 12 new players at 6:30 p.m. against the Fredericksburg Nationals * introducing new grab-and-go snack options, an upgraded scoreboard, redesigned suites, and special offers for kids, seniors, and teachers.

The Hill City Howlers began their new minor league baseball era at City Stadium on Tuesday night, earning optimistic reviews from fans.

The event marked a promising start for the team in Lynchburg.

Verona Quartet Concert

3-5 p.m. — Randolph College — Ticket info not provided — Experience the acclaimed Verona Quartet, known for their cohesive and dynamic performances.

Passion Pickleball Tournament

10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Ivy Hill Golf Club — Free entry — Grab a paddle and play with purpose while making a difference in the community.

Hickory Crawdads vs. Hill City Howlers

6-7 p.m. — Bank of the James Stadium — Secure your seats — Experience the excitement of the Hickory Crawdads live in action.

501 Coyotes Live Performance

8-10 p.m. — Academy Center of the Arts — Check venue for ticket pricing — Experience the raw, energetic blend of punk and country from Lynchburg's own 501 Coyotes.

Home Buyer Bootcamp 2026

9-11 a.m. — Nathan Haefer — $19.99 per person — Gain essential insights into the 2026 homebuying process with practical strategies from a local expert as you enjoy delicious donuts.