Caitlin Piemme
Editor
Harrisonburg, VA
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Caitlin graduated from James Madison University in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts and Design with a concentration in journalism and a minor was French. Caitlin made Dean's List twice during her senior year, and she was a reporter for Breeze TV, the student-run news broadcast at JMU.
Caitlin is originally from Bethesda, Maryland, but Harrisonburg has become her second home. Her favorite spots to eat downtown are Jimmy Madison's and Billy Jack's.
Caitlin loves Washington sports teams, and likes to hang out with family and friends, hike and ski in her free time.
The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill banning firearms within 40 feet of polling places to prevent voter intimidation.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Virginia was the top state for those who retired during the pandemic to move to in 2020, and one of the top retirement cities listed is Waynesboro.
After closing their doors temporarily in December, Clementine Cafe and Ruby’s Arcade in Harrisonburg are planning to reopen.
The dawn of a new presidency Wednesday leaves many feeling mixed emotions. A few Valley residents shared their perspectives about the inauguration.
It’s a hurdle many across the country are facing: a shortage of interpreters at COVID-19 vaccine sites. Now, the Central Shenandoah Health District is making efforts to help those who do not speak English as a first language.
Along with name changes, comes a new mascot. The Shenandoah County Public School Board voted last week to conduct a survey to help decide the mascot for Mountain View High School and North Fork Middle School.
For the first time, the Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham is participating in the annual MLK Day of Service by hosting a city-wide food drive.
The Harrisonburg Police Department is gathering intelligence, monitoring social media at local, state and federal levels, and collaborating with other agencies in the Shenandoah Valley ahead of the inauguration.
The regular session of the Virginia general assembly began Wednesday, and looked different than in previous years due to the pandemic.
Due to major delays with the United States Postal Service, companies like the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative have let customers pay when they can. But some say they’re also having issues with credit card companies.
Harrisonburg City Council is set to vote on giving tickets to people caught on camera passing stopped school buses.
A major decision was made out of the Catholic church on Monday.
The USPS says it is still experiencing delays. Now, the larger concern is whether people will get their bills mailed on time.
After last week’s events at the U.S. Capitol, Twitter suspended President Donald Trump’s account, and app stores have removed Parler, a new social media app, due to violent speech written leading up to the capitol riots.
Many participate in what’s called “Dry January.” That’s when you stay sober for the entire month. One counselor says if you participate, it’s important to first ask yourself why.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam held a press conference Wednesday to give an update on the coronavirus and plans for how they will continue the vaccination rollout in the state.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed by the federal government to provide paid sick leave, but it has expired.
Senator Mark Warner took questions from reporters Tuesday in a virtual press conference. He shared his thoughts on everything from the presidential election to the pandemic.
With vaccine rollouts happening, many might be wondering where they stand in line in terms of getting the vaccine.
The new year also means new laws in Virginia. One of those laws revolves around the co-pay cap for insulin.
It is now illegal to hold a handheld personal communications device while driving on Virginia highways.
Minimum wage workers in Virginia will be waiting a few more months before seeing a pay increase. The law was set to go into effect January 1st, but governor Northam delayed it until May 1.
A DJ from Waynesboro Produced “The 2020 Rap Up”, an annual year-end rap started by DJ Mad Skillz out of Richmond.
Many are declaring to dedicate more time to fitness and eating healthy as part of their new year’s resolutions, but for people with an eating disorder, it can be damaging to restrict themselves.
“New year, new me” usually means new faces at the gym. but with the pandemic some spots like Valley Fitness in Harrisonburg may see less of that this year.
A YMCA employee said goodbye to her coworkers today. In the new year, she will be teaching fifth grade.
With the holiday season wrapping up, many families are ready to get rid of their Christmas trees. Here in the valley, Rockingham County landfill is a free drop-off location for trees to be repurposed.
Virginia Candidate for Governor Kirk Cox was in the Valley Wednesday as part of his campaign trail.
A bus driver from Rockingham County is brightening one boy’s Christmas with some presents his family couldn’t get for him. Millie Baum has been a bus driver for 40 years and says she has always noticed and helped out children in need.
With more people shopping online than ever, the Harrisonburg Police Department is warning you to look out for gift card deals among other scams this holiday season.
Traditions restaurant in Harrisonburg is a favorite for buffet-style among locals, and it’s faced many Covid-19 related challenges.
The holiday season means extra police on staff to keep the roads clear of drunk drivers. According to the DMV website, 32% of all traffic fatalities in 2019 were alcohol-related.
Maestro Barbershop in Harrisonburg is giving back to the community this holiday season by giving out free haircuts to those in need.
The Harrisonburg Fire Department and Harrisonburg Police Department are in a friendly competition.
A local community is staying connected while socially distanced by creating a paper chain that stretches throughout their neighborhood.
Natural Resources Police in West Virginia is advising everyone to wear harnesses when hunting from elevated positions after a hunting incident involving a tree stand left a man seriously injured last month.
Families of inmates and community members were outside of Middle River Regional Jail to peacefully protest conditions.
James Madison University’s fall class of 2020 graduated Saturday morning with a video highlighting achievements and milestones over the past 4 years, and a livstream listing graduates’ names.
Helping local families in need this holiday season, The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority had families pick up gifts Friday for their annual giving tree program.
The Virginia Department of Health has seen little to no cases of the flu this year. One official says it is likely because of coronavirus restrictions already in place.
Once a week since August, a group called “deplorable conditions” has been standing on East Market street in Harrisonburg to protest puppy mills.
The Virginia 30 Day Fund has helped small businesses like Virginia Made through this tough time.
The Virginia department of Health announced Friday that their Covidwise app is joining the national key server, meaning information can be shared with similar apps.
Pendleton Community Bank partnered with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance to give children a chance to see Santa in a new and safe way.
The Virginia Department of Health says they’ll have to change methods for contact tracing because coronavirus transmission levels are rising. Officials say contact tracing becomes less effective when cases are this high.
In west Virginia, Grant county is in the “red” category For coronavirus cases After the infection rates drastically increased in the area. Now, there will be no in-person instruction this week.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed “Breonna’s Law” Monday, which prohibits “no-knock warrants.” The proposed legislation came after the death of Breonna Taylor back in March.
The Salvation Army is still collecting donations for their Red Kettle Campaign, and this year they have had to get more creative because of the pandemic. This weekend, Santa decided to help out.
Sites Auto in Franklin, West Virginia puts up a Christmas tree outside their store every year for the community to decorate, a tradition started by a young man.
One man from Penn Laird takes “the season of giving” to heart. He buys toys and bikes to distribute to kids in need in the Harrisonburg community.