🌱 Education Officials Push For Funding + Homeless Center Progress

Hello there, Harrisonburg. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 85 Low: 61.
• Tuesday: Sun and areas of high clouds. High: 77 Low: 58.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Harrisonburg Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Harrisonburg Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top three stories today in Harrisonburg:

1. Educators and officials in the Valley are urging Virginia lawmakers to amend the state budget to allocate more funds for education. The focus is on bridging gaps, supporting teachers with better pay, providing educational resources, and addressing students' social and emotional needs. The aim is to strengthen the school system, retain and recruit quality teachers, and create a supportive learning environment for all students, as schools are seen as integral to community development and success. (WHSV)
2. Harrisonburg is making progress in establishing a homeless services center, with the contractor and operator selection expected in the coming weeks. The city's Planning Commission unanimously approved the shelter's compliance with the comprehensive plan, which reflects the desired future vision for the community. The center will be built on an existing structure and include sleeping areas, common facilities, a medical wing, and office spaces, with construction set to begin this summer. (Daily News-Record)
3. The nearby town of Bridgewater implemented an ordinance in October 2022 to enhance safety for pedestrians and drivers, which included installing photographic speed enforcement equipment near schools. A study conducted during a school week revealed that 1,095 drivers exceeded the speed limit, but after the installation in March, only 86 drivers were found to be speeding — a significant 92 percent reduction. Bridgewater Police Chief Phillip Read mentioned that further safety improvements are planned, such as installing crosswalk signals and enhancing pedestrian safety near schools. The photo enforcement equipment will be reactivated when school resumes in August. (WHSV)

Today and tomorrow in and around Harrisonburg:

Monday, June 19

• Minute Man Monday At Three Notch'd Valley Collab House (3:00 PM)

Tuesday, June 20

• Harrisonburg Farmer's Market At Turner Pavilion (8:00 AM)
• Women's Empowerment Network At Brix & Columns Vineyard, McGaheysville (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance introduced a new little free library in Liberty Park as part of the Best Weekend Ever, promoting reading and nature. The library serves a dual purpose, providing books and creating a habitat for monarch butterflies by offering space for chrysalis formation. The collaborative effort involved various local entities, and additional events are still planned for Pollinator Month, including a workshop on making butterfly hotels to support pollinator habitats. (WHSV)
• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Harrisonburg area at the link! (Harrisonburg Patch)
• The Red Wing Roots Music Festival is returning this week (Jun. 23-25) in nearby Mount Solon! You can still grab tickets to the 10th annual event here. (Visit Harrisonburg VA)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right! I'll see you soon.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.