For viewers in the Bridgewater area and nearby Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, analog TV’s didn’t go blank on June 12. That’s because of an exception to the government order that ended most analog broadcasting on that date. The order made an exception for low-power stations and for translators.

Translators pick up a distant TV signal and rebroadcast it on a different frequency. The best signals locally, from the Massanutten translator, are on 18 (WUSA-9, Washington, D.C.) 28 (NBC-29, Charlottesville), and 46 (WTTG-5, Washington, D.C.). Those signals continue for now, pending action by Rockingham County, broadcasters and the FCC.

However, to get Harrisonburg’s WHSV-TV3 in this area, you do now need a digital receiver, or cable subscription, or DirecTV service.

“The Valley’s Best Lawn Party” is set for its traditional weekend in July, this year falling from July 15 through 18. There’s background on the Lawn Party on this page and a nightly schedule at http://www.bridgewaterfire.com/lawnparty.html .

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has approved Option A for the proposed Bridgewater Bypass, running from the Rescue Squad to just north of Turner Ashby High School. The Board’s resolution specifically designates the road as a limited access road. “Limited access” will restrict the number of points where the road can be entered, ruling out individual driveways, for example. Below are some additional materials on the proposed bypass, including the text of the Board’s resolution. Read the rest of this entry →

A public hearing is set for April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the town hall on proposed bonds of about $160,000. The bonds would be issued to fund the town’s share of the Mt. Crawford Avenue-Main Street project. Here’s the legal notice.

The North River Library has ended its Sunday hours. After the change, the library is now open as follows:

• Monday through Wednesday: 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Check here for more information on our local library, which is a branch of the Massanutten Regional Library.

As mentioned last year, the salaries of Bridgewater’s mayor and town council members is set for an increase in the upcoming budget. Since 1972, the salaries have been fixed at $600 annually for council members and $900 annually for the mayor. The proposal, designed to bring salaries into line with comparable governing bodies elsewhere in Virginia, would make the council salary $3,600 and the mayor’s salary $5,400. The overall budget size is $6.9 million and a public hearing has been set for April 21 at 7:30 p.m. Here’s a link to the Daily News-Record’s coverage.

A public hearing has been set for March 10 at 7:30 p.m. at town hall on a proposed 45-acre area that would include residential development and a new park. Under the development plan, the northwest section of the property would be used for townhouses, the southern section would be for duplexes and the southwest section would be used for the park. Single-family homes would make up the rest of the development. Below is a map and here is a link to the hearing notice:

Map of area for proposed park and development

Bridgewater residents have been saddened by the death of Nicole Nicholson, 17, in a house fire on Monday, February 16. The fire at 211 S. Main St., next to the Red Apple restaurant, is under investigation. See local reaction at Bridgewater Buzz and the Daily News-Record’s followup on the fire.

Doug’s Small Engine Repair is moving to 220 Old River Road in Bridgewater from its old location at 101 East College Street. Doug’s business does repairs of all kinds on small engines and lawn equipment. The old location, former home of Northwest Motor Welding and other businesses, is for lease.

The Bridgewater Home looks good in a current ranking of area nursing homes by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as the only such facility to get a five-star rating in this area. Information is available at the Medicare website. Below is a table showing ratings; also available is a larger version with more details.