🌱 Patch AM: Will your I-81 Harrisonburg exit suddenly be closed next week?

What's up Harrisonburg! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Will your I-81 Harrisonburg exit suddenly be closed next week?
• How a stalled Senate vote could raise healthcare costs for Virginians
• What student witnesses revealed in Harrisonburg’s Confederate school names trial

Also on today's calendar: The SlashO Longhorns Visit Harrisonburg! and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 46 and low of 24 degrees.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy and very cold, temps: high: 30, low: 13. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 32 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. I-81 southbound exit ramp to close December 18-19 at Route 33 interchange in Harrisonburg (rocktownnow.com) — Drivers who use I-81’s southbound ramp to eastbound Route 33 in Harrisonburg should prepare for a full closure from 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, for paving work on a new exit ramp. VDOT has set a signed detour via Exit 247B and nearby city streets, with the larger Route 33 interchange project expected to finish in summer 2026.
   

2. Sen. Kaine discusses upcoming vote on Affordable Care Act Subsidies Extension (whsv.com) — From Harrisonburg, Sen. Tim Kaine is warning that Affordable Care Act subsidies could lapse if competing Senate bills fail to reach 60 votes. He says he’s pushing for bipartisan support to extend tax credits that help many Virginians, especially rural residents, afford health insurance before they expire at the end of 2025.
   

3. Trial begins in lawsuit case against Shenandoah County School Board over Confederate school names (whsv.com) — A federal civil-rights trial tied to Shenandoah County’s Confederate school names is underway, with proceedings taking place in Harrisonburg and expected to last seven days. Student plaintiffs and the Virginia NAACP argue the renamed schools harm Black students, while the school board defends restoring the historic names; the judge says a final ruling could take months and likely face appeal.
   

4. Six VHSL football championships will be decided Saturday. Here's who's playing. (cardinalnews.org) — Harrisonburg hosts two Virginia High School League football state championships Saturday at James Madison University, bringing top Class 6 and Class 5 teams and their fans to town. Four other title games will unfold the same day in Lynchburg and Salem, capping a season packed with standout performances, college-bound players, and dramatic playoff runs across the state.
   

📸 Around Harrisonburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• The SlashO Longhorns Visit Harrisonburg!
  James Madison University, 800 S Main St, Harrisonburg
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 13

• Uncle Bengine + The Minor Four
  Pale Fire Brewing Co. , 217 S Liberty St #105 , Harrisonburg
  7:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• Native Plant Social with Shenandoah Chapter of Virginia Native Plant Society
  Frances Plecker Education Center , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  1:30 pm

Monday December 15

• General Loss Support Group (No Children, Please)
  First Church of the Brethren , 315 S Dogwood Dr , Harrisonburg
  7:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• "From Waste to Wonder" Family Program: Reusing Materials to Create Amazing Gifts
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  11:00 am
• Women's Empowerment Network
  Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center , 710 South Main Street , Harrisonburg
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• "It's A Wonderful Life" film
  Court Square Theater , 41-F Court Square , Harrisonburg
  2:00 pm
• "Love Actually" film
  Court Square Theater , 41-F Court Square , 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!

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 13

• Winter 2025 Commencement
  Atlantic Union Bank Center Event Floor
  10:00 am
• Master Gardener Talk Series
  Frances Plecker Education Center , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  10:30 am
• Terrace: Members Only Wreath-making
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  12:00 pm
• A MOO-RY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT MYERS HIGHLAND COW FARMSTEAD!
  Myers Pumpkins , 3831 Bull Run Rd , Penn Laird
  3:00 pm
• VOICE Ensemble Winter Concert
  Court Square Theater , 41-F Court Square , Harrisonburg
  7:00 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Harrisonburg PatchAM possible:

• Sunpower Supreme — 5408675309
  i can update the location
• Better Add a Business — 5407640023
  Really & This Is So Janky To Work With No Edit Button!
• Test Brand Partner Business — (540) 867-5309
  This will be shared to 12 patches

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• We were going to mail our custom Christmas cards but due to unusual expenses this year we decided to send them out online.
  I hope you understand. Wishing each of you and your families the best of the Christmas season, and a very Happy New Year. God bless Love, Mindy,… (Nextdoor Old Town Harrisonburg)
• 🎄 December Clean-Out Special 🎄
  Hi neighbors! I’m offering affordable help hauling away clutter this month. Old furniture, boxes, yard debris — small or large piles. Holiday… (Nextdoor Smithland Rd)

• Panda Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Assistant Manager (P1-1365068-1) in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
• Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member 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: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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