EMU alumna in national spotlight on immigration issue

AFP

Isabel Castillo, a 2007 Eastern Mennonite University graduate, has become a nationally recognized spokesperson for the plight of undocumented young people in the United States. Castillo was featured in a Feb. 20, 2011, New York Times article, “Dream Act Advocate Turns Failure into Hope.” This publicity led Jesuit-run University of San Francisco to invite her…

Wilson Ready Mix announces staff addition

AFP

Wilson Ready Mix LLC is pleased to announce that Todd Fretwell has joined the company effective immediately. Fretwell, a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in civil engineering, brings more than 20 years of construction experience to the Wilson Ready Mix team located in Fishersville. Fretwell’s engineering background and experience will be utilized in…

Donation to Ride With Pride

AFP

Hillary Williams from Cold Stone Creamery in Harrisonburg presents a $1,000 check to Debbie Winters, director of Ride With Pride. Ride With Pride is Augusta County’s therapeutic horseback riding program for youth and adults with physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Stone Cold Creamery created a video with RWP to celebrate the new eight-layer cake. For…

EMU dedicates new Commons facilities

AFP

Approximately 200 persons joined together at Eastern Mennonite University Saturday afternoon, March 26, to celebrate a dream of some 10 years coming to fruition. Facilities that comprise “Phase II” of the University Commons building at EMU were dedicated in a brief, upbeat ceremony held in the renovated MainStage Theater at the south end of the…

VDOT to hold design public hearing on 280 Southeast Connector

Chris Graham

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a design public hearing concerning Route 280 Southeast Connector in Rockingham County. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 27, from 4-7 p.m. at the Rockingham County Administration Center, Community Development Meeting Room, 20 East Gay Street, Harrisonburg. Citizens can come in during the meeting hours and…

AFP Business News

Chris Graham

Augusta Free Press LLC joins H-R Chamber Augusta Free Press LLC has joined as a new member of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce. The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1917, works to influence public policy and partners with groups in tourism, the arts, economic development, workforce, technology, downtown revitalization, higher education and law enforcement…

‘TOP’ teachers celebrate ‘Magic of Education’ at JMU

AFP

James Madison University sophomore Abby Jamison has wanted to become a teacher ever since she can remember. Influenced and encouraged by the example set by her mother, a second-grade teacher in New Jersey, Jamison is preparing for her dream career to make students’ learning experiences “enjoyable, significant and fun.” “I think teachers have such an…

Rocktown Rollers to open home derby schedule

AFP

The Rocktown Rollers women’s flat-track roller-derby team will open the home portion of its 2011 schedule when it hosts the River City Rollergirls’ Poe’s Punishers squad on Sunday, March 27. The family-friendly bout, titled “Et Tu, Brutal?”, will be held at Funky’s Skate Center in Harrisonburg, with the doors opening at 4 p.m. and bout…

Martin named new director of EMU center

AFP

Ed Martin of Akron, Pa., has been named director of the Center for Interfaith Engagement at Eastern Mennonite University. The Center – earlier referred to as “Abraham’s Tent” – provides space for people from a variety of faith traditions to dialogue and collaborate on areas of common understanding. “Ed’s proven track record of relationship-building in…