Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How much control will Harrisonburg residents have over future data centers?

Coming up on the Harrisonburg Patch calendar: Inner Peace Summit: A Day to Recharge. Reconnect.

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Sunday September 13th Patch AM
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Hi Harrisonburg! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How much control will Harrisonburg residents have over future data centers?
  • Could Harrisonburg colleges ever drop first‑semester letter grades?
  • How political buzzwords may be warping Harrisonburg voters' views

Also on today's calendar: Inner Peace Summit: A Day to Recharge. Reconnect. and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why are crows so alert and curious? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Harrisonburg Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Harrisonburg Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Humid with some sun, with a high of 83 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Monday: Clouds and sun; less humid, temps: high: 79, low: 51.
  • Tuesday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 76 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Harrisonburg, Rockingham County lawmakers open to data centers under the right conditions (dnronline.com) — Harrisonburg officials are tightening control over any future data centers, requiring special-use permits and stressing protection of the city's electric grid and water supply. Rockingham County leaders share similar concerns, emphasizing farmland preservation and infrastructure limits. For residents, that means no large data center can move in without public hearings, strict conditions, and close scrutiny of noise, utility demands, and environmental impacts.
   

• Therapist weighs in on pros and cons of new approach to grading, impact on student mental health (whsv.com) — In Harrisonburg, a local counselor is weighing how the University of Michigan's new pass-or-no-credit system for first‑semester students might influence mental health, and whether area colleges should follow. She explains how easing grade pressure could reduce anxiety and burnout, but also warns it might weaken accountability, offering practical signs of academic stress for families to watch.
   

• Political radicalism on the rise ahead of midterms (whsv.com) — From Harrisonburg, a James Madison University political scientist explains how social media algorithms and buzzwords like "fascism" and "socialism" are fueling political radicalism ahead of the midterms. He urges voters to seek nonpartisan, nonprofit news and do their own research, warning that partisan echo chambers and fear‑based rhetoric can distort how people see both parties and the stakes in November.
   

📸 Around Harrisonburg

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • DOLLY PAW-TON look-alike for pets and people!!
    Join us in supporting the RHSPCA at Rootstock Wine & Provisions from 5-8pm on September 16! (Nextdoor Chestnut Ridge)
  • Come to the Green Valley Pet Fair, where the RHSPCA will have ADOPTABLE KITTENS on site!!
    Saturday, September 19th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2192 Green Valley Lane, Mount Crawford, VA 22841 (Nextdoor Chestnut Ridge)
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member 39453 in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
  • Aramark posted a job opening for Panera Location Supervisor in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.

🗞 Nearby News

Bridgewater

  • Aramark Expands College Dining With Five New Partnerships (mychesco.com)
  • Waynesboro Players commemorate nation's 250th anniversary with production of '1776' (dnronline.com)
  • Why To Watch Pittsburg State Football At West Alabama In Week 2 (flofootball.com)

Broadway

Elkton

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: They start each day with a cup of caw-fee. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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