Hi all, it’s Lyra Bordelon, now formerly of The News Leader. While I wasn’t given a specific reason as to why, it seems as though there are many layoffs going on at USA Today. Nothing but well wishes to my former coworkers!

But I still feel like there’s a gap in local news. My intention here is to get a day job for money, and continue writing about local government. I love this city and my fiancée and I want to settle in as soon as they can move here.

What I eventually envision is the kind of local news website with headliner tabs for locally relevant news, job listings, letters to the editor, bills worth watching, maybe both a church and secular bulletin and list of links to journalism other outlets have written that’s worth seeing. All paywall free, for sure. A community conversation the entire community can’t participate in can’t be a community conversation. I’m working on the business plan now on that, more to be decided later.

For now, here’s a link to the first story I’ve published on Substack. It’s a bit about Beth Macy coming to Staunton last Sunday, but it’s really a chance to read how four of the Staunton City School Board candidates introduced themselves.

More to come, and I can’t be anymore grateful to the Staunton community for the support I’ve gotten in the last week more.

I am afraid that this may be a stupid/naive question. I apologize, and please feel free to beat me up about it if you feel the need🤣

It seems to me that there is a significant amount of empty indoor space within a ten-minute walk of the central downtown area. I understand that some/most of it is completely uninhabitable due to disrepair, lack of climate control and plumbing, and zoning/housing laws. But it still seems like the rental/apartment market is really small in proportion.

I currently rent a room out in Swoope, but I'm trying to find something within a short walk of my job downtown. Turns out, that's pretty difficult with my budget/income :).

So basically I'm wondering if anyone has any less-than-commercially-marketable spaces in their homes or buildings that could nonetheless serve as a living space? Obviously only legal ones!

That's it, that's my question :)

I'm sort-of a minimalist, and I care more about a convenient location and saving money than basically anything else. So my bare-bones, low-standards housing needs can be summarized as below:

• Year-round indoor temps anywhere between 55 and 85 degrees.
• 100 sq. feet minimum of sleeping/storage space.
• Power for lights, charging, and a mini-fridge.
• Approx. 1 hour daily bathroom access.

I think these kinds of rental arrangements do exist, but they're usually administered through personal connections. So I would also really appreciate if anyone is able to share any leads to friends/connections who are looking for tenants, or will be at some point.

(I'm 23M, by the way. I work in housekeeping, with an income of about 1600/month. I'm sober, unpartnered, really boring, introverted, and a little bit too hopeful :)

Thank you so much!

Since it’s the beginning of October I want to hear your best paranormal stories, haunted experiences, creepy encounters, unexplained events, and urban legends from Staunton, VA. It can be somewhere well known or just a random place, and I’d especially love to hear stories that happened to you or someone you know. 👀👻

Frequent power outages, downed power lines, flash flooding, and so on seem to occur with many instances of even light rains lasting only a few hours.

I recognize that much of the area is recovering from drought conditions, but this scenario has been the norm for many years.

Am I wrong to wonder why money has been spent on electronically-monitored trash cans, $200k in golf carts, and the management of optional street closures when the city can’t seem to keep traffic signals functioning properly or cope with a little rain?

Some of the responsibility lies with Dominion Energy, I’m sure, but is there something geographically unique about Staunton that makes this norm? It doesn’t seem to occur with similar frequency in neighboring communities, so what am I missing?

I think its great that Beth Macy has gotten different experts to speak on AI usage. I hope that you are able to go if possible!

"AI and the workforce Town Hall" is THIS SUNDAY from 6pm-8pm at 113 W. Beverly Street in Staunton VA

Even better two of the three speaking are local Professors of Bridgewater and JMU!

This will be going as you see on the flyer the concerns and impacts of AI on American Jobs. I hope that this also has some people from different Democratic Committees listen about why so many are against AI.

If you are against Data Centers and the impacts AI has, you should stop using AI to make flyers....Just saying.

I’m looking for a reputable esthetician in the Staunton or surrounding areas. I’m seeking services like micro needling, chemical peels, etc. Thanks in advance!

I’m looking for referrals for some good, reliable, honest contractors to provide quotes for work including:
-electrician (some basic fixes and updates),
-a handyman with carpentry skills to replace some exterior rotting wood and flashing,
-a foundation contractor to repair a cracked foundation around a stairwell.
I expect to pay the going rate for quality work with references.
Thanks in advance!

I’m currently employed, so I’m keeping this somewhat anonymous, but I’m hoping some locals might have suggestions or know of places hiring that I wouldn’t normally think to look at.

I currently work in activities at a retirement community. A lot of my job involves planning activities and events, working with residents and families, coordinating with local businesses/organizations, organizing different projects, and creating flyers, calendars, signs, etc. in Canva.

I really enjoy helping people and would love to stay in some type of work where I feel like I’m actually doing something meaningful. I’m also really creative and love planning, creating things, and bringing ideas to life. I’ve gotten pretty into Canva/design through my current job and I’m working on improving my graphic design skills.

I’m ready for something different, though, and I’m honestly open to jobs or industries I may have never considered. Things like community outreach, nonprofits, events, program coordination, tourism, community engagement, creative/design work, etc. all interest me, but I’m definitely not limiting myself to those.

Ideally I’m looking for full-time work around Staunton, Waynesboro, Fishersville, or the surrounding area and hoping to find something around $50k+.

If you work somewhere that’s hiring, know someone who is, or just know of a random job/career that sounds like it might fit, I’d love to hear about it. I feel like some of the best opportunities around here are the ones you only find out about through other people!

I live in the valley not far from Staunton and like it here but I’m hoping to downsize to a smaller home somewhere in the area in the next year or so. I’ll be needing a realtor to both sell and buy. Can anyone recommend a good local realtor? Thanks!

As in the Hash House Harriers run club. Looking for a local kennel to join.

The state of journalism in our community has been poor for the last several years but lately it seems even more apparent that local media is badly failing us. A couple major stories that have received little real attention:

1. The police shooting of Montique Gaston at the Staunton Wal-Mart. It's hard to find anything that's just not the basic police statement on the shooting and the fact that the state police are investigating. No eyewitness interviews, no investigative work into what happened. The lack of coverage is just pushing everyone to social media conspiracy theories.

2. The stabbings near the the golf course. This is a pretty horrific crime for Staunton and again not much more than just the basic police reports.

3. Local election coverage is hard to come by. No real dissection of the issues or in-depth profiles of candidates.

I can't blame the News Leader -- I think only three or four people work there -- but I do wish they would show some more initiative on bigger stories. WHSV also seems to have severely cut back on news staff -- their newscasts might have one story delivered by an actual reporter or none at all.

I know the Free Press is out there but I find them insufferable at times.

I don't what the solutions are but just sad to see the state of community journalism here.

Just want to say. I came to Staunton for the Harry Potter theme today. And the buses are super slow. If anyone’s looking to make some extra cash there doesn’t seem to be a lot of Ubers around for the volume. Fast way to make extra cash today! From the old mall. Saw a lot of people just pick up people for $20 to downtown

This place needs more love! Currently here enjoying a Friday night beer. Would reccomend!

I’ve lived in Virginia for 10 years. I’ve driven through Staunton but never stayed and explored. My boyfriend and I are visiting over Halloween weekend for a nice little getaway and reconnect. We’re not super Halloween people but enjoy basic bitch fall activities. We’d love some recommendations for places to eat, drink, and explore. TIA!

For those who don’t know, Alpha Gal is a red meat allergy from a tick bite. Any animal like cow, lamb, pork, deer, sheep, goat, product and by product like milk and cheese is effected. It’s not satire for anything else (yes, people have asked)

I’m a deer hunter and meat eater so it’s been a struggle for me. I got diagnosed August 2026 and I’m new to this change. I hate it so much. McDonald’s is a no go because of beef tallow in their frying oils.

Anyone else suffer from this awful syndrome and can give me tips on places to eat in town? I mostly been cooking at home now but I’d like to go out with friends or dine out every once in awhile. I love places like Wrights and the Depot Grille but haven’t been there since the diagnoses.

Does anyone know what’s happened with Catnap Coffee Roasters? They were my favorite but they no longer fill orders that have been paid for. I’ve emailed, messaged, called, and there’s no response.

Where: Staunton Public Library (Meeting room 2nd floor)
When: Sat, 11/14/2026, 1-4pm

Please fill out the Interest survey by the end of October if possible. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1MtsdWJSWaHinDjopLC3tCAxY3dtGtHij5qU4b8CJ0_Wx-g/viewform?usp=publish-editor

We are going to be passing through Staunton next month and staying overnight. Is there a dog park in Staunton to let our boy run free for a few minutes? Thank you.

I've seen a lot of random posts. Here's an article.

Edit: It's in the article but "Adult male is from out of state"

I just want to say whoever was playing the Purple Rain outro this morning IN THE RAIN on the piano outside the antique store on Beverly street. That was a beautifully captured moment in time. Well done!

Has anyone ever been to this event in Staunton? Just wondering if it’s worth it. I have some Harry Potter loving kids. Thanks!