🌱 Patch AM: Which Harrisonburg routes will see lane closures next week?

Good morning to you Harrisonburg! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which Harrisonburg routes will see lane closures next week?
• What Harrisonburg police say to do if this scammer calls you
• What the new Harrisonburg animal health lab expansion means for locals

Also on today's calendar: FREE Camino de Santiago Presentation and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why are elevator jokes so good ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Partly sunny and not as warm, with a high of 76 and low of 56 degrees.
• Monday: Partly sunny and nice, temps: high: 78, low: 57.
• Tuesday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 83 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Staunton District Traffic Alert for September 7 – September 11, 2026 (virginia.gov) — Drivers in and around Harrisonburg face lane shifts and closures next week on Route 11 near the northern city limits and on East Market Street between Hawkins Street and University Boulevard. Additional paving and utility projects on nearby I-81 and major Rockingham County routes could slow commutes, so plan extra time and watch for changing work zones and reduced speed limits.
   

2. Harrisonburg Police Department warns of phone scam (rocktownnow.com) — Harrisonburg residents are being targeted by callers pretending to be with the Harrisonburg Police Department and threatening arrest over supposed missed jury duty. Police stress they never handle jury issues or demand payments by phone, and urge anyone receiving such calls to hang up and report the scam to local law enforcement.
   

3. VDACS Breaks Ground on Expansion Across Three Regional Animal Health Laboratories (morningagclips.com) — State and local officials just broke ground on an expansion of the Harrisonburg Regional Animal Health Laboratory, adding new testing space as part of a three-city upgrade. The project will boost disease surveillance, food safety testing, and diagnostic services that support area veterinarians, farmers, and pet owners, while keeping the Harrisonburg lab fully operational during construction.
   

4. JMU holds off Liberty in season opener in Harrisonburg, 20-13 (wdbj7.com) — James Madison University kicked off its season in Harrisonburg with a 20-13 win over Liberty at Bridgeforth Stadium, never trailing in the Battle of the Blue Ridge. Local fans can look ahead as JMU stays home to host Wagner next Saturday, Sept. 12, with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff also at Bridgeforth.
   

5. 20 iconic dive bars in Virginia that locals love (vadogwood.com) — Virginia's dive bar roundup gives Harrisonburg a nod with Billy Jack's Shack on South Main Street, praised for its beer, burgers, and fried Oreos. Regulars can even join the Bone Club by logging beers and visits, while soaking in the bar's quirky bottle-and-sticker décor that helps make it a beloved Western Virginia hangout.
   

📸 Around Harrisonburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday September 7
• CHAMBER CLOSED
  Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce 800 Country Club Rd, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
• Mineral Museum Hours →
  James Madison University Virtual Events Festival Mineral Museum
  1:00 pm
• Brookhaven's Labor Day Party & Open House!
  Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce 1461 Brookhaven Drive Rockingham, VA 22801
  4:00 pm
• Latin Dance Class →
  James Madison University Virtual Events UREC Group Exercise Studio 2 (Room 378)
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
• Sound Bathing
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  5:30 pm
• Pavilion: Reserved
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  5:30 pm
Wednesday September 9
• JMU Farmers Market →
  James Madison University Virtual Events The Union Patio 3
  8:00 am
• Make a Friend, Take a Friend →
  James Madison University Virtual Events The Union 3rd Floor Lounge
  10:00 am
Thursday September 10
• Terrace Reservation
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  5:15 pm
• JMU Underground →
  James Madison University Virtual Events The Union, TDU Stage
  6:00 pm
Friday September 11
• 2026 Golf Tournament
  Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce Woodstone Meadows Golf Course 300 Silverstone Lane McGaheysville, VA 22840
  11:00 am
Thursday September 24
• FREE Camino de Santiago Presentation →
  Walkabout Outfitter, 90 N Main St, Harrisonburg
  7:00 pm

📣 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!

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

• Hello!
  I'm a JMU student with my own pressure washing business looking for any local jobs I've attached some before and after from my work to this post … (Nextdoor Park View)
• Upper Room Worship is a new Christ-centered worship and prayer community forming in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
  We are currently looking for volunteer musicians, worship leaders, singers, Prayer and intercession volunteers, Hospitality and event volunteers, and… (Nextdoor Longview and Vine Street)

• Sherwin-Williams posted a job opening for Customer Service Specialist in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
• Family Dollar posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate I in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.

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: Because they work on so many levels ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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