🌱 Patch AM: JMU families secure multimillion-dollar settlements after deadly 2023 crash

Good day Harrisonburg! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• JMU families secure multimillion-dollar settlements after deadly 2023 crash
• How JMU students are stretching every dollar in Harrisonburg this semester
• How a Harrisonburg outfitter is using tax savings for employee raises

Also on today's calendar: Community Gear Swap and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 82 and low of 64 degrees.
• Friday: A shower and t-storm; humid, temps: high: 76, low: 65.
• Saturday: Clearing, a t-storm; humid, with a high of 82 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Three JMU families receive more than $2 million in wrongful death lawsuits (rocktownnow.com) — Families of three James Madison University students killed in a 2023 crash linked to an alleged fraternity event have secured more than $2 million through wrongful death settlements. Filed in Henrico Circuit Court, the suits accused a Pi Beta Chi fraternity founder and members of fostering hazing, heavy drinking and drug use, while the driver previously received a short jail sentence for negligent homicide and reckless driving.
   

• Back-to-school budgeting: Financial expert, students discuss savvy spending (whsv.com) — Harrisonburg college students heading back to class are being urged to map out a realistic budget before move-in, from textbooks and housing to emergency savings. A JMU financial aid expert and local students share practical tips, including using meal plans wisely, hunting Harrisonburg thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace, and considering part-time work to avoid unnecessary debt.
   

• Success Stories of the 20% Small Business Deduction in the Working Families Tax Cuts - Americans for Tax Reform (atr.org) — A Harrisonburg-based outdoor retailer, Walkabout Outfitter, is featured as one of several small businesses nationwide crediting the federal 20% small business tax deduction with helping them stay open and give employees raises. The owner says she and her husband have skipped their own raises so the tax savings can go directly to staff pay, while other businesses in the article describe using the deduction to expand, hire and upgrade equipment.
   

📸 Around Harrisonburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 22
• Breneman-Turner Mill Open House — Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center →
  Historic Turner-Brenneman Mill, 5001 Turners Mill Ln, Harrisonburg
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday August 21
• Terrace Reserved
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  12:00 pm
• UPB Bridgeforth Movie Night →
  James Madison University Virtual Events Bridgeforth Turf
  9:00 pm
• Insect Discovery Night
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  9:30 pm
Sunday August 23
• FPEC: Shenandoah Nature Journaling Club meeting
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  1:00 pm
• The Great Valley Baking Challenge - Adagio House Benefit →
  Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce The Loft at Liberty Street: https://www.libertystreetloft.com/
  2:00 pm
• Great Valley Baking Challenge: Kid's SNACKdown!
  Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce The Loft at Liberty Street 76 W. Gay Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
  2:00 pm
• Dukes From Day One: Fight Song T-shirt Giveaway →
  James Madison University Virtual Events Festival Lawn
  5:00 pm
Monday August 31
• Community Gear Swap →
  90 N Main St, Harrisonburg
  9:00 am

📣 Harrisonburg Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday August 21
• Terrace Reserved
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  12:00 pm
• Interlochen College of Creative Arts Adult Chamber Camp: Bear Serenade - 2026-08-21 (Event 629943) →
  Corson Lobby, 3935 Sunnyside Dr, Harrisonburg
  7:30 pm
• Insect Discovery Night
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  9:30 pm
Sunday August 23
• FPEC: Shenandoah Nature Journaling Club meeting
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  1:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hi Harrisonburg!
  I recently moved into the Harrisonburg area as a transfer student, and I'm offering window and house cleaning services to local homeowners, renters,… (Nextdoor Harrisonburg)
• I'm offering quick, reliable and affordable hauling and junk removal.
  Junk removal, hauling services, moving help, furniture or appliance removal, garage, basement or attic clearouts, yard waste and debri removal and… (Nextdoor Old Town Harrisonburg)

• Government Jobs posted a job opening for Specialist (I, II, III) - Pump Operation/Maintenance in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Bridgewater

• Travel Safely as Students Head Back to School (bridgewater.blog)
• Dr. Chadwick Joseph Edwards (tylerpaper.com)
• Fire at Mount Crawford farm causes $400,000 in damages (29news.com)

Elkton

• Virginia towns scrap Flock cameras after records show police, not councils, arranged installs (thecooldown.com)

Shenandoah

• Common Wealth Crush Co. Party Kiwi 2025 Review (vinepair.com)
• Virginia Locals Brave Outrageous Morning Lines For This Diner's Legendary Brunch And Never Regret It (myfamilytravels.com)

Ok Harrisonburg! 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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