🌱 Why Staunton still feels like a small-town time capsule

Greetings Staunton! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Staunton still feels like a small-town time capsule
• Overnight I-81 crawl: how this mystery load could snarl Staunton travel.
• How new SNAP and Medicaid rules could hit Staunton families

Also on today's calendar: Art in the Park 2026.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 86 and low of 62 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, temps: high: 80, low: 61.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 82 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 11 Virginia Mountain Towns That Still Feel Like The 1950s (myfamilytravels.com) — Staunton gets a loving spotlight as one of Virginia's most nostalgic mountain towns, praised for its intact Victorian architecture and classic spots like Wright's Dairy Rite. The piece also highlights the Frontier Culture Museum, Blackfriars Playhouse, and Woodrow Wilson's birthplace, positioning Staunton as a walkable, history-rich getaway that still feels a bit like the 1950s.
   

• Oversize load alert: What are they driving up from North Carolina to I-495? (augustafreepress.com) — If you're driving I-81 near Staunton late Thursday into early Friday, expect major slowdowns from an oversize load convoy creeping from North Carolina toward the D.C. area. The massive haul will take up more than two lanes, move well below interstate speeds, and include planned pull-offs, with VDOT urging drivers to avoid the route or check 511 before traveling.
   

• Spanberger moves to shield Virginians from federal benefit hurdles (newsleader.com) — Staunton residents on Medicaid and SNAP could feel big changes as Virginia scrambles to soften new federal rules that shorten eligibility checks and risk cutting benefits. Local social services staff told Staunton City Council their workload is essentially doubling, while more than 2,800 Staunton SNAP participants and the regional food bank already face rising pressure from food insecurity.
   

📸 Around Staunton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Staunton

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday September 5
• Art in the Park 2026 →
  Gypsy Hill Park, 600 Churchville Ave, Staunton
  10:00 am

📣 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!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday August 28
• Waynesboro Together Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting →
  City of Waynesboro - 230 S Wayne Ave Waynesboro VA 22980
  1:00 pm
• Oak Grove Folk Music Festival 2026 →
  The Oak Grove Theater, 845 Quick's Mill Rd, Staunton
  5:00 pm
Monday August 31
• KCVBall@Riverheads
  Kate Collins Middle School Waynesboro, VA 22980
  5:30 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Gym/KCVBall
  Kate Collins Middle School Waynesboro, VA 22980
  4:00 pm
• KC/CrossCountry/@StewartMiddle
  Kate Collins Middle School Waynesboro, VA 22980
  5:30 pm
Thursday September 3
• KCVBall/H/SDraft
  Kate Collins Middle School Waynesboro, VA 22980
  5:30 pm
• School Board Meeting at the Augusta County Government Center
  Augusta County Verona, VA 24482
  6:30 pm
Friday September 4
• Aud/Williamson
  Kate Collins Middle School Waynesboro, VA 22980
  8:00 am
• Weekly Guided Tastings at Accordia →
  Accordia, 114 E Beverley St, Staunton
  5:00 pm
• Together: Family Recovery Screening at The Wayne
  Waynesboro Public Schools Wayne Theatre, 521 W Main St, Waynesboro, VA 22980, USA
  6:00 pm
Monday September 7
• Holiday: Schools & Offices Closed
  Augusta County Verona, VA 24482

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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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Who posted needing stuff for school and school kids?
  I have a friend that owns a store and I can get stuff from her pretty cheap. Bookbags, notepads, coloring pencils, binders, notebooks etc. Message me… (Nextdoor Gypsy Hill Park)
• As we all mourn Dolly Parton, maybe we could remember before we post something that one of the things she will be most remembered for was her niceness.
  https://cardinalnews.org/2026/08/26/special-human-now-gone-southwest-virginians-remember-dolly-parton/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm… (Nextdoor Newtown/West End)

• Rogers Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Contracts Administrator in Staunton. Apply here.
• Virginia's Community Colleges posted a job opening for Adjunct Faculty - EMS in Staunton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Staunton here.

🗞 Nearby News

Verona

• Virginia Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Night results for Aug. 24, 2026 (newsleader.com)

Fishersville

• VADOC intercepts drone delivery into Sussex I State Prison, seizes $324K in contraband (augustafreepress.com)

Stuarts Draft

• Churchville Fire to return, what's next for Beverley St. (newsleader.com)
• Page 0 - Top SAT Tutors in Luray, VA (care.com)

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: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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