Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Harrisonburg schools plan to hire teachers faster despite budget delays

Coming up: ¡Hola, paisano! on the Harrisonburg Patch calendar

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Hello again Harrisonburg! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Harrisonburg schools plan to hire teachers faster despite budget delays
  • Which I-81 ramp in Harrisonburg is closing and how to detour
  • Where to see Harrisonburg’s award-winning gingerbread landmarks this season

Also on today's calendar: ¡Hola, paisano! and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Harrisonburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Rain and drizzle in the p.m., with a high of 50 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Friday: Windy with sunny intervals, temps: high: 51, low: 25.
  • Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 48 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Harrisonburg City School Board discusses plan for future job opportunities (rocktownnow.com) — Harrisonburg City Public Schools leaders are reworking how they hire so they can lock in strong candidates earlier despite ongoing budget delays. At this week’s school board meeting, officials focused especially on filling special education teaching and assistant positions as true openings, saying they’re confident they can place skilled educators where students need them most.
   

2. VDOT: I-81 southbound exit ramp in Harrisonburg to close temporarily for paving work (whsv.com) — If you’re driving I-81 south through Harrisonburg, expect the Exit 247A ramp to eastbound Route 33 to be closed from Thursday morning through Friday afternoon for paving tied to a new ramp project. VDOT is routing drivers along Exit 247B and several city streets as a detour, with timing dependent on weather.
   

3. Gingerbread replicas of Generations Park and Friendly City Co-op are on display (dnronline.com) — Downtown Harrisonburg’s annual gingerbread house competition has spawned two local displays, including a winning replica of Friendly City Food Co-op now showcased inside the co-op. Another detailed gingerbread model of Bridgewater’s Generations Park is on view at Old Town Hall, alongside historical exhibits and a fundraiser ornament celebrating one of Bridgewater’s oldest buildings.
   

4. Virginia Lottery reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season (whsv.com) — Harrisonburg residents are being reminded that Virginia Lottery tickets are strictly for adults, and it’s illegal to give them to anyone under 18. State officials say their new “Scratchers for Kids? Scratch that Idea!” campaign aims to prevent youth gambling and keep lottery play a fun, age-appropriate activity for grown-ups this holiday season.
   

5. Donations from 29th annual Toy Convoy distributed to Valley families (whsv.com) — Hundreds of local families lined up at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds as toys from WHSV’s 29th annual Toy Convoy were handed out through the Salvation Army of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. More than 3,000 donated toys, from Squishmallows to bikes, were packed by volunteers so children who might otherwise go without can wake up to gifts on Christmas morning.
   

📸 Around Harrisonburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg

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📣 Harrisonburg Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 18
  • Fall Bball @Hillyard
    Montevideo Middle Penn Laird, VA 22846
    4:30 pm
  • Trivia at Sage Bird Ciderworks
    Sage Bird , 325 N Liberty St , Harrisonburg
    8:00 pm
    • Friday December 19
  • Trivia Night
    Bluestone Vineyard , 4828 Spring Creek Rd , Bridgewater
    6:30 pm
    • Saturday December 20
  • Vietnam Veterans Breakfast
    Wood Grill Buffet , 1711 Reservoir St , Harrisonburg
    9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.

Ok Harrisonburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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