Good morning, Lynchburg.

The Fall Line Trail project is moving forward as workers build the path — high school football teams shared their picks for upcoming games — while local leaders ask residents to help keep GRTC rides free.

Wawa held a preview for its loyal VIP customers and local officials on Wednesday morning—offering a behind-the-scenes look at the first store and gas station in the Lynchburg area on Wards Road in Campbell County.

United Airlines will begin a daily flight from Lynchburg Regional Airport to Chicago O'Hare in spring 2026—introducing a new travel option that comes as the airline expands service with more gates and destinations from O'Hare.

Scaremare in the Hill City has scared visitors for 53 years with jump scares and eerie rooms—director Josh Coldren said the haunt always refreshes its thrills so guests leave smiling.

At Centra’s Alan B Pearson Cancer Center, an 8-year-old golden retriever named April Sweetie visits every Thursday during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to bring comfort to patients (her owner Larry Brookshier, who has lost several family members to cancer, says the visits help ease treatment isolation).

A new sterile processing course is available for hospital workers who clean and sterilize equipment — the training is meant to boost the skills of these unsung heroes.

The course was announced on Oct. 23 and offers key updates for staff focused on health and safety.

The Heroes Home hosted Lift for a Cause on Wednesday — participants used pink barbells to lift one million pounds and raise breast cancer awareness as every lift was tracked live.

Researchers from Virginia Tech led by Jennifer Munson built a lab-grown tissue model to show that chemotherapy drugs can harm the brain’s waste-clearing vessels — a breakthrough that may bring hope for easing chemo brain.

The study, conducted at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke, sets the stage for future tests on treatments for brain fog and Alzheimer’s — a promising step for biomedical work in Southwest Virginia.

4th Annual Fall Festival

10 AM – 3 PM — The American Civil War Museum - Appomattox — Free entry — Celebrate the season with live music, food, and family-friendly activities in a historic setting.

Phil Vassar: 25 Years of Paradise Tour

7:30-10 p.m. — Historic Theatre at the Academy Center of the Arts — $39–$92 — Celebrate Phil Vassar’s enduring hits and vibrant performance at this special anniversary tour.

15th Annual Mabel Glass Craft Fair

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Heritage United Methodist Church — Free entry — Explore unique crafts and local creations at this beloved community fair.

Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

November 7-9 — Historic Theatre at the Academy Center of the Arts — $15-$240 — Experience the heart-wrenching tale of love and betrayal in one of opera's most beloved classics.

MARCUS 2025

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Randolph College — Registration includes meals — Presenting undergraduate scholarship across various disciplines.

Virginia State Conference of Young People in AA

5-4 p.m. — Liberty Mountain Conference Center — Registration details available — A gathering for young people in AA focusing on community and support.

In Gratitude: A Tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Historic Theatre at the Academy Center of the Arts — $20 – $58 — Experience the vibrant tribute to the legendary band with powerful performances and choreography.

Exploring the Gardner Heist and the Essence of Art

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Sydnor Performance Hall — Free entry — Delve into the infamous Gardner Museum heist and discover the enduring significance of art in American culture.