JMU receives $500,000 gift towards investment in Madison District

JMU James Madison University

James Madison University received the first private investment of $500,000 from the Charlie Obaugh Auto Group towards the transformation of the Madison District.

The Madison District is a reimagined portion in the center of campus that will include student and athletic facilities as well as shopping, dining, and lodging.

Included with the gift is the 10 year naming rights of the Champions Parking Deck located just behind the football stadium.

The gift seeds a general expendable account with the JMU Foundation to receive charitable contributions supporting naming opportunities on campus.

JMU President Jim Schmidt said, “Gifts like this, along with other kinds of investments and partnerships, will be essential to turning our plans into reality. It is heartening to see that our campus vision is already resonating with the JMU community and beyond. I look forward to what we can accomplish together.”

For more information on the announcement, click here.

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DOF appreciates your help!

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

Virginians collected a whopping 13 tons of acorns, chestnuts and walnuts for Department of Forestry’s (DOF) annual collection.

If you remember back in October they asked for help collecting the seeds.

The numbers are in and there is enough to grow 500,000 native trees!

Thank you for helping DOF grow the forests of tomorrow.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Sinkhole repairs begin at PMMS

ryan lingle

Repair work has begun at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School after the discovery of a Karst anomaly beneath a portion of the building.

This type of sinkhole was created during construction when significant fill soil was placed over weaker residual soils.

These soil conditions led to a change in the foundation causing cracks in the west wing of the building including classrooms, hallways, and the library.

Pressurized grout and pier systems will be installed over the next to summers to repair the Shenandoah County Public School with costs estimated at $500,000.

Repairs made this summer will be completed by the third week of July and will not impact the school year.

FdNCON and Triad Engineering are contracted for the repairs.

President of FdNCON Freddie Neal spoke on the safety of the school stating, “Based on our experience with other underpinning and compaction grouting projects in similar conditions, the building is safe for students and staff. ”

To view the SCPS press release, click here.

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