Author: Calvin Pynn
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Calvin Pynn, Contributor
Calvin Pynn is a freelance reporter based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, primarily covering local politics and other issues in the city for The Citizen. He is also a reporter for WMRA Public Radio along with a few of his friends at The Citizen, and is also the Adviser for James Madison University's student-run radio station, WXJM. Calvin grew up in the New River Valley and attended Radford University, where he was a Producer and On-Air Talent for WVRU, and the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the school's newspaper, The Tartan. Since graduating in 2012, his work has appeared in The Roanoke Times, The Southwest Times, the Daily News-Record, and as part of a reporting project for WQSV 106.3 FM in Staunton. Aside from that, Calvin is a relentless music nerd who plays guitar, collects vinyl, and supports local bands.
COVID-19 testing increases in Virginia, but officials still can’t provide testing rate in Harrisonburg
The ability to test for COVID-19 and the accessibility of testing are increasing in Virginia this month, health department officials said Wednesday. The Virginia Department of Health held a teleconferenced press briefing Wednesday and reported that capacity has steadily increased over the last few weeks between public health, hospital and commercial labs, said Michael Keatts, the Virginia Department of Health’s Northwest emergency health coordinator.
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Democratic council candidates carve out slight differences over approaches toward housing, JMU and the golf course’s fate
The candidates seeking the Democratic nominations for this fall’s city council election signaled a general agreement on big-picture issues, such as supporting education and working to encourage affordable housing, although they each sought to differentiate themselves over how they’d prioritize certain approaches.
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Democratic council candidates bring different experiences, priorities in advance of Wednesday’s virtual town hall forum
The five Democratic candidates running for Harrisonburg’s City Council will have their chance to differentiate themselves and show voters what they know about — and envision for — Harrisonburg’s city government a virtual town hall Wednesday night. At this point it’s the only joint appearance before city Democrats vote by email or mail by May 16 in that party’s social distancing version of a firehouse primary.
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Sentara RMH has plans to handle additional COVID-19 cases but stays quiet on testing, equipment questions
Harrisonburg has 87 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday – the most out of all localities in the Central Shenandoah Health District, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital has been preparing for the increase, while implementing new procedures, such as aggressive screening of visitors and, according to a spokeswoman, by preparing areas within the hospital for additional treatment areas should the region see an even sharper spike in cases.
Two political newcomers begin campaigns as incumbent council members mull re-election
Three seats on Harrisonburg’s City Council will be on the ballot in November’s election, and candidates are already lining up, starting with a pair of newcomers to political office.
Obenshain’s bill to limit fuel tax for some I-81 communities gets parked
A bill introduced by Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) aimed at limiting a gas tax increase in communities not directly along Interstate-81 got shut down this week in the General Assembly.
City Republicans mobilize with council set to consider – but not vote on – 2A Sanctuary request
The Harrisonburg City Council will discuss a request for a resolution supporting Second Amendment rights at its meeting next Tuesday night, but will not vote on the topic just yet.
Legislative Q and A: As session begins, Wilt prepares for budget, ERA, absentee voting and gun debates
With the 2020 General Assembly session beginning today, Del. Tony Wilt, R-Broadway, answered questions about how he expects to approach key issues, such as the Equal Rights Amendment, the commonwealth’s budget, what’s next with I-81, what it will be like serving in the minority and what he views as a threat of “radicals.”
