🌱 Will Staunton’s new downtown lane experiment help or hurt businesses?

Hello Staunton! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Will Staunton’s new downtown lane experiment help or hurt businesses?
• Why a Staunton teen avoided jail after dozens of car break-ins
• How Queen Miller turned a Staunton home into a haven for children

Also on today's calendar: The GovCon Summer Soiree - Federal Contractors NETWORKING EVENT and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What did Tennessee see? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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From our Partner
Today's Staunton 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. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Staunton Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Staunton.

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 88 and low of 62 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Saturday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 90, low: 62.
• Sunday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 87 and low of 63 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. Staunton: Business owners share concerns about proposed downtown project (augustafreepress.com) — Downtown Staunton’s right-hand travel lane on parts of Beverley Street is temporarily reconfigured this month as the city tests expanded pedestrian space with seating, greenery, and loading zones. Many long-time business owners worry single-lane traffic and new loading patterns will hurt deliveries, while others welcome a more walkable, hangout-friendly downtown and are urging residents to weigh in via the city’s online survey.
   

2. Staunton teenager sentenced after 2024 car thefts (whsv.com) — Staunton readers are learning that local teenager Braxton Ritchie received restitution, community service, and probation—but no jail time—after pleading guilty to a string of vehicle break-ins and an unauthorized vehicle use from 2024. The sentence reflects a decision by the commonwealth’s attorney and circuit judge, with a follow-up hearing set for 2029 to review his compliance.
   

3. Laughter, prayer kept Queen Miller, Staunton orphanage going (newsleader.com) — Staunton readers are reminded of Queen Elizabeth Miller’s remarkable orphanage on West Beverley Street, whose legacy is being honored with a new historic marker. The story revisits how her “Kingdom for Homeless Children” sheltered dozens of local kids, survived fires, financial strain, and even tragedy, while remaining deeply woven into Staunton churches, schools, and community life.
   

4. Augusta County ends historic era with new courthouse (valawyersweekly.com) — Augusta County has officially moved its courthouse and government functions from downtown Staunton to a new $62 million complex in Verona, ending nearly three centuries of the county seat being based in Staunton. Local judges and officials highlighted cost, safety, and space concerns at the old Staunton courthouse, while acknowledging years of community debate over leaving the city.
   

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📸 Around Staunton

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Staunton

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday June 6

• Rhythm and Rescue Music Festival →
  Augusta Regional SPCA, 33 Archery Ln, Staunton
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Saturday June 6

• Shop & Dine Out in Downtown
  City of Staunton Beverley Street, Downtown Staunton, Staunton, Virginia 24401
• Dave Miller Memorial
  City of Staunton Gypsy Hill Park Golf Pavilion, 116th Regimental Road Staunton, V
• Audiobook Walking Club
  Staunton Public Library 1 Churchville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401
  9:30 am
• Edible Weeds & Medicinal Plants with Annette Naber
  Staunton Public Library Library, 1 Churchville Ave Staunton, Virginia 24401
  10:30 am

Monday June 8

• Mother Goose Time
  Staunton Public Library Library, 1 Churchville Ave Staunton, Virginia 24401
  10:30 am
• Big Kid Books
  Staunton Public Library Library, 1 Churchville Ave Staunton, Virginia 24401
  11:00 am
• The Woolpack Yarncrafts Club
  City of Staunton Library, 1 Churchville Ave Staunton, Virginia 24401
  7:00 pm

Monday June 22

• The GovCon Summer Soiree - Federal Contractors NETWORKING EVENT →
  John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St NW, Washington
  6:00 pm

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📣 Staunton Shout Outs!

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

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday June 5

• All Together Now
  City of Staunton Staunton, VA 24401
  10:30 am
• Unearth a Story Book Club
  Staunton Public Library Library, 1 Churchville Ave Staunton, Virginia 24401
  2:00 pm
• Shop & Dine Out in Downtown
  City of Staunton Beverley Street, Downtown Staunton, Staunton, Virginia 24401
  4:00 pm

Saturday June 6

• Dave Miller Memorial
  City of Staunton Gypsy Hill Park Golf Pavilion, 116th Regimental Road Staunton, V

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

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Right now its Earwigs.
  they are a distraction.... Mother Nature is messing with you. Let me explain.... Spotted lantern fly are in larval stage. … (Nextdoor Newtown/West End)
• Any experience with the popular Spray & Buff car cleaning products?
  I keep seeing ads for products like MAXL One and NexGen Ceramic Spray to transform a dull /scratched paint to a new shiny finish. A couple questions:… (Nextdoor Hillcrest)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Staunton. Apply here.
• Virginia Department of Human Resource Management posted a job opening for Housekeeping Worker in Staunton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Staunton here.

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Ok Staunton! 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: Same as Arkansas (Thank you Juanita B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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