Category: Harrisonburg Issues
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This is only a drill – though an invaluable one for local first responders
“This is an exercise,” Stephanie Harris told the crowd about to take part in a Monday morning training exercise with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Around her were about 160 volunteer “victims” of a simulated gas explosion at JMU’s Bridgeforth Stadium, along with dozens of rescue and security personnel that would be responding to the disaster.
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Council navigates through next wave of Airbnb requests and hears more concerns about downtown
The group of city-approved short-term rentals continues to grow in Harrisonburg, as the city council approved eight of nine such special use permits in a meeting on Tuesday evening. This was the second city council meeting during which these permit applications were reviewed since the council established the permitting process in March. The council approved the first three applications last month.
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School board and Secure Futures fail to reach deal on building the largest solar array for a Virginia public school district
The deal is off between the Harrisonburg City Public Schools and solar company Secure Futures, LLC, to build the largest solar array for a Virginia public school system. The school system’s leaders and the solar company couldn’t agree on the terms and ultimately broke off negotiations last month, according to documents The Citizen received through a request under the Virginia Public Records Act.
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Local choir brings love and harmony to the final farewell
Music fills the Strite Auditorium at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC) as 19 women lift their voices in song, practicing to be at their best when called for a private performance. Often, it’s for an audience of one person, facing the end of life.
Nationally recognized principal to take over Harrisonburg High School, two assistant principals promoted at Keister and Spotswood elementary schools
By Randi B. Hagi, senior contributor A trio of new principals — two who are being promoted and one who’s returning to her native county — will take over at three Harrisonburg City Public schools after the school board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve their hirings. The three new principals are: Melissa Hensley, who grew up …
City leaders pulling together ideas to address ‘nightmare’ for those experiencing homelessness
On warm spring and summer nights, the outlines of several people bedded down for the night are plainly visible outside Our Community Place. Many of those experiencing homelessness in Harrisonburg don’t have a lot of options for places to sleep, so they tuck themselves into quiet corners and shadows.
Following dog’s death in public park, mayor calls community leaders together to discuss homelessness in Hburg
After several episodes this summer involving people panhandling — including the death of a dog and businesses reporting trespassing to the Harrisonburg Police Department —Mayor Deanna Reed called stakeholders to two meetings this week to discuss concerns and possible solutions.
Electric commission draws a record crowd — and sighs of relief from solar advocates. Now the utility is working on its next steps toward renewable energy
It’s not often that the Harrisonburg Electric Commission’s monthly meeting attracts a standing-room-only crowd. Yet, Tuesday morning, more than 20 people crammed into the small conference room at the utility’s Operations Center on North Liberty Street. Some were solar installers, dressed in bright-colored t-shirts with their employers’ logo emblazoned on them. Others were solar advocates or homeowners with arrays on their houses.
