Community Corner

🌱 How Staunton families can get free help filing taxes this season.

And check out Staunton Farmers Market Winter Market on the Staunton Patch calendar

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Greetings Staunton! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Staunton families can get free help filing taxes this season.
  • How bad is Staunton’s childcare crunch—and what’s being done?
  • How Staunton dollars are building a new regional mental health lifeline

Also on today's calendar: 2025 Lantern Tours and 1 more event.

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

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 36 and low of 23 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy, p.m. snow showers, temps: high: 33, low: 30.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 39 and low of 21 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Free tax services return in Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro (newsleader.com) — Free income tax preparation services are returning to Staunton this coming tax season through United Way’s VITA program, aimed at households earning $68,000 or less. With three sites planned in Harrisonburg, Waynesboro and Staunton, the effort could save local filers thousands in preparation fees while helping them claim key credits like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.
   

2. Report: Rising childcare costs, limited availability put strain on local families (augustafreepress.com) — Staunton-area families are facing steep childcare costs and limited openings, with a new regional report showing expenses can consume up to 30% of income for some households. Local groups like CAPSAW, the Staunton-Augusta YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Club of Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County are pushing for a regional task force, more affordable slots, better transportation, and expanded nontraditional-hours care.
   

3. Valley Recovery & Assessment Center to offer 'comfort, care' during crisis (newsleader.com) — Staunton residents helped fund a new Valley Recovery & Assessment Center in Fishersville, which will provide crisis mental health care, detox services, and mobile response teams for the region. With millions in state and local support, including $1.9 million from Staunton and nearby localities, the 32-bed-and-chair facility aims to reduce hospitalizations and offer faster, more compassionate help when people call 911 or 988. Construction is slated to start in early 2026, with opening planned for fall 2027.
   

4. Driver charged after stolen vehicle pursuit ends with 2 injured in Fishersville (whsv.com) — A man from Staunton faces charges after deputies say he fled a traffic stop in a reportedly stolen car, crashing on Entry School Road in Fishersville and injuring himself and a passenger. Authorities report he was treated at UVA Medical Center, then taken into custody and is now held without bond at the Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Jail.
   

📸 Around Staunton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Staunton

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📣 Staunton Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Just wanted to give a big thanks to all those Staunton city workers who spent the entire day and night keeping the roads clear.
    You guys did a great job and I hope everyone who had to go out on them appreciated you keeping them safe. (Nextdoor Cherry Vale)
  • Is there anyone with children ages 1-2 boy or girl that needs some help this Christmas?
    We ordered stuff and for some reason we got sent double of several toys we ordered our grandkids. (Nextdoor Greenville / Sears Hill)
  • Lowe's Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Full Time - Receiver/Stocker - Day in Staunton. Apply here.
  • Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Merchandising Sales Associate in Staunton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Staunton here.

Ok Staunton! 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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