Community Corner

🌱 Which Bedford County schools could close next—and when you can speak up

Also, don't miss Rock-A-Bye Reader on the Bedford Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 22nd Patch AM
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Greetings Bedford! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Bedford County schools could close next—and when you can speak up
  • How one Bedford County teacher's kindness just brought in extra school funding
  • See which Bedford school changes and downtown plans made statewide headlines

Also on today's calendar: Color Run 5k and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one wall say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 71 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cooler with periods of rain, temps: high: 63, low: 55.
  • Thursday: Cloudy and cool with a shower, with a high of 63 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Bedford County Schools held second town hall on possible redistricting plan (wset.com) — Bedford County families face big decisions as school leaders weigh closing additional schools, including Bedford Primary, Big Island Elementary, and Otter River Elementary, after already voting to close Stewartsville Elementary. With enrollment declines, funding concerns tied to Bedford's town reversion, and crowding in Forest, parents are urged to attend upcoming town halls in Bedford, Big Island, Forest, Moneta, and other locations to share feedback.
   

2. Staunton River Middle School's Leah Eckard is the August Education Impact Honoree (wsls.com) — A Bedford County special education teacher at Staunton River Middle School has been honored for her compassion and impact on students, earning a cash award for herself and the school. Colleagues praise how she builds relationships that help students feel valued and motivated, while a local credit union and TV station spotlight her as their August Extra Mile Educator.
   

3. Headlines from across the state: Virginia confronts $1.7 billion shortfall in highway maintenance funding; more . . . (cardinalnews.org) — Two Bedford-focused headlines in this statewide roundup may catch your eye: town halls are starting in Bedford on possible school closures, and a new World War II–themed vision aims to draw more visitors and business downtown. Alongside these, the digest flags major Virginia stories on highway funding, diesel prices, and technology that could still affect life in Bedford County.
   

4. 9th District Q&A: Morgan Griffith, Joy Powers (vpm.org) — Bedford County residents are hearing directly from Joy Powers, a local cattle farmer and small business owner challenging Rep. Morgan Griffith in the 9th District, about her priorities on rural healthcare, housing, data centers, and foreign policy. The Q&A highlights how her Bedford County roots, service on local boards, and views on affordability and hospital stability could shape representation for parts of Bedford and surrounding counties in Washington.
   

📸 Around Bedford

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Sodexo, Inc. posted a job opening for Reber - Production Coordinator in Lynchburg. Apply here.
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member in Lynchburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bedford here.

Ok Bedford! 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'll meet you at the corner! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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