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Virginia
Virginia Tech fans react to James Franklin hire
BLACKBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – The James Franklin era at Virginia Tech has begun, and expectations couldn’t be higher.
“VT football is saved. I’m excited,“ a Virginia Tech fan said.
“I mean, I think he’s gonna bring a lot to the future,” said another.
“We are so back! I was afraid it’s gonna be a long four years here. Not anymore. It’s gonna be great.”
At Penn State, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to 104 wins, a 2016 Big Ten Championship, and a 2024 College Football Playoff semi-finals appearance.
All of those accomplishments are injecting hope into Virginia Tech fans who have only seen one 10 win season since legendary coach Frank Beamer retired after the 2015 season.
“I’m hoping that he just brings everything that he had once before brings us a winning program gets us what we want maybe a natty,” Freshman Colin Hebeo said.
Franklin replaces Brent Pry who was his defensive coordinator at Penn State from 2016 until he left to become the Hokies head coach in 2022.
After starting the season 0-3, Pry was relieved of his duties, now that Franklin is taking over, fans expect him to turn back the clock to when Virginia Tech was a national powerhouse.
“I want him to bring back what the old Virginia Tech football is like, That’s just straight hype and then like everybody is always got the energy going and we’re winning games make crazy plays, I just want to see that happen again,” Freshman JD Kwitkwoksi said.
Franklin is the most high profile coach the Hokies have had since Frank Beamer, and fans are hoping the big name will bring respect to a team who used to dominate the college world.
“I like it cause it’ll at least make us like not a laughingstock Like we’re not gonna we’re not just gonna go into every game thing. We’re gonna lose like we actually have a chance now,” Freshman Jake Woodworth said.
Franklin will have the backing of the university as the board of visitors approved $229.2 million to the university’s athletic funding over the next four years.
Copyright 2025 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – First responders never stop training, and this week almost 500 from across Virginia are honing their skills in Blacksburg.
The Virginia Association of First Responders now includes EMTs, firefighters, police officers and many others who answer the call in an emergency.
Thursday, a farm accident and a collision involving a car and school bus were just two of the scenarios they encountered.
“It’s a week-long opportunity, not only for technical stuff like this, but for medical classes,” said Covington Volunteer Rescue Squad member Greg Burton. “People call 911 every day for something. And we’re just here to help ease the problem a little bit.”
The annual conference also includes a Rescue Camp for young people with an interest in emergency services.
43 campers are taking part in a variety of activities, including a session on scuba diving Thursday afternoon.
Copyright 2026 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A brush fire in a wooded area on Criollo Drive Wednesday afternoon was set by children playing with fire, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Units with Virginia Beach Fire and Virginia Beach Police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Criollo Drive in reference to a report of a possible fire in a wooded area at approximately 5 p.m.
Upon arrival, crews saw light smoke coming from a wooded area. They quickly had the brush fire under control at 6:05 p.m. and marked out at 6:37 p.m.
There were no injuries reported to civilians, firefighters or pets.
A VBFD Fire Investigator determined that the fire was set by kids playing with fire.
There are no charges being filed currently.
For Navy Vice-Admiral Douglas Perry, you could say all roads, or waterways, lead to Hampton Roads.
“It is more than full circle,” said Perry, who noted he went to the first Harborfest downtown in 1976.
And when he saw those tall ships led by Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle, “I was sold. I wanted to go to sea. I wanted to be a naval officer.”
Link: https://www.wavy.com/living-local/50th-harborfest-weekend-more-than-full-circle-for-navy-vice-admiral/
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