Shenandoah Valley Insider

Infrastructure and Traffic Alerts

• 🔥 I-81 Widening Construction Begins: Construction starts on I-81 widening project in Harrisonburg and...

Key meetings impacting Shenandoah Valley residents this week:

• Waynesboro housing boom: Planning Commission hears 232-unit apartment proposal (4...

A Virginia woman launches a recycling initiative to transform plastic bottle caps into a bench for a nonprofit, perfect for Earth Day. Community sustainability at its creative best!

• Live mural centerpiece: Community paints Andrew Davis-designed mural at Art Hive, 835 Spring Hill Road, kicking off West End Mural District.
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Sharon and Larry Williams, Waynesboro birding enthusiasts, lead spring, summer, fall, and winter walks along hiking trails at varying spots – ideal for Shenandoah Valley nature lovers.

• Great Community Give today (April 22, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.) funds Friends of the Shenandoah Rail Trail's outreach and planning
• Attend public meetings:...

Motorists alert: I-81 widening construction now underway in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

• Expect shoulder closures
• Overnight lane closures coming
  Plan alternate routes to stay safe.

Real Estate & Development

• 🔥 Statewide ADU Bill: A bill signed last week by Gov. Abigail Spanberger requires Virginia localities to allow...

Timely relief for Valley agribusinesses: Cooperative lender Farm Credit of the Virginias (FCV) returns $31 million in cash dividends to customers, announced April 20, 2026.

• School funding uncertainty: Roanoke City Public Schools relies on ~60% state funding, delaying firm budget decisions after 6 months of planning.
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Staunton housing heats up with median list price at $354,750 in March, up 9.2% from February's $324,950 and 7.5% from March 2025.

• Homes listed 44...

• Public scrutiny erupts after photos of 3 supervisors + admin dining at Verona ribs post-meeting.
• 30-year tradition: Social team-building only—no...

Catch literary culture alive in the Valley with tonight's event at Staunton Books & Tea, part of the Shenandoah Valley Indie Bookshop Crawl (Apr...

Safety Alert for Shenandoah Valley shoppers: A bomb threat at a business in Harrisonburg's Valley Mall on East Market Street prompted evacuations and a heavy [response]; investigation ongoing. Avoid the area.

Waynesboro resident launches 'Bottle Caps to Benches', uniquely recycling plastic waste into meaningful community benches. A grassroots win for the Shenandoah Valley's environment and public spaces.

Waynesboro's Stable Craft Brewing marks 10 years with community fun supporting fire safety:

• April 25 full-day event: wing-eating contest, high...

Grab free fun at Otterbein Community & Recreation Center's Community Day in the Park!

• Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Waynesboro Budget Updates

• 🔥 City Council Budget Work Session: Waynesboro City Council has a Budget Work Session scheduled for April 20, 2026,...

• Spanberger pushes 'yes' for temporary Dem-favored map (10-1 seats) to counter GOP gerrymandering
• Allen urges 'no': Current 6D-5R map fair; new...

Residents, mark your calendars for input on Waynesboro's proposed FY2027 budget (ending June 30, 2027):

• Council Budget Work Session: April 20, 2026, 7:00-8:30 PM
• Public hearing notice now posted
  Get involved before decisions lock in.