Scott German | UVa. baseball improves to 19-0

The seventh-ranked Virginia baseball team pushed the nation’s longest winning streak to 19 straight as the Cavaliers rallied past fourth-ranked Miami 9-4 on a windy, cold night at Ted Davenport Field.  Read more

Earth Talk | Polar bears

Dear EarthTalk: Some say that polar bears are going to disappear in 50 years, but Alaskan officials insist their populations are recovering. What’s the real story?
- Harper Howe, San Francisco, Calif.  Read more

Jim Bishop | Annual ScrappleFest is not a half-baked idea

Just when the prevailing thought was, “it doesn’t get any better than this,” it does.
With little public fanfare, 12 Bishop relatives and several guests assembled at host Tom Bishop’s cozy abode in suburban Perkasie, Pa., for the fourth annual ScrappleFest. Read more

Tom Perriello | Fifth District Report

Rural areas face unique challenges in this worsening economic crisis, and my job as representative is to make sure those needs are heard. That’s why I was pleased to join with 40 bipartisan members of the Congressional Rural Caucus in calling for President Obama to establish an Office of Rural Policy. Our letter was in response to the recent announcement by the president that he intends to create a White House Office of Urban Policy. A complementary Office of Rural Policy would be an effective way to make sure rural areas have a seat at the table when it comes to national policy. I was pleased to join with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who understand what rural America needs and what it has to offer to the rest of the country. Read more

Common Cents | Team USA readies for challenge of a lifetime

What a time to be part of the federal work force! Thanks to President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Congress, government workers will play a central role in helping America through the most turbulent economic times since the Great Depression. Read more

The final eightyone

A Staunton-based monthly arts magazine will publish its final issue next month.
“I am sorry to say that the April 2009 issue will be eightyone’s last. Our members, advertisers and staff have hung in there a long time, well past the point of financial feasibility. I am very grateful to have been part of such perseverance,” eightyone publisher Deona Landes Houff wrote in a note posted to the eightyone.info website this morning. Read more

Friday, March 20-Sunday, March 22

- Local News: Peace rally in Staunton this weekend, Friday, 4 p.m.
- Politics: Obama grassroots group to canvass Virginia, Friday, 3:30 p.m.
- Local News: VDOT changing speed limit in Crimora, Friday, 3:30 p.m.
- Local Media: AlbemarleFamily Living wins four national awards, Friday, 8:10 a.m.
- Arts: Chavez photographer to visit JMU, Friday, 8:10 a.m.
- Civil Rights: ACLU pushing Gov. Kaine on privacy laws, Friday, 8:10 a.m. Read more

Business group gives back

They’ve had bake sales and bingos and other fund-raisers to pay down the debt on the new $350,000 full-service rescue pumper sitting at the ready, so when the Greater Verona Business Association called and said they’d write them a check for $1,000, the folks at the Verona Volunteer Fire Co. knew what to do.
“We can use all the help we can get,” said George Weller, one of the three remaining charter members from the Co.’s founding in March 1959, 50 years ago this month, accepting a check from GVBA president Steve Wittenberg of Clear Channel Radio. Read more

What our friend Sam is up to …

Sam Rasoul will make an “important announcement” next week regarding an open House of Delegates seat in the Roanoke area. And at first glance it would appear that Rasoul, who lost in his bid to unseat Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte last fall, might be throwing his hat into the ring for the Democratic Party nomination in the 17th House District race. Read more

The politics of AIG

The pols are lining up to score points on the AIG bonuses mess.
“I supported this administration’s plan to inject capital into the marketplace, but like the President, I believe that there needs to be accountability. We need to stabilize the economy and help struggling homeowners, not reward failed corporate management,” Democratic Party gubernatorial-nomination Terry McAuliffe said today in a statement regarding the controversial decision by the insurance giant to pay out $165 million in bonuses in a time when the company is afloat almost entirely because of the infusion of money from federal taxpayers. Read more

WMHS presents Cinderella

Wilson Memorial High School’s Singing Sergeants present the Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical story of Cinderella in the school auditorium on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
The adaptation of the classic fairy tale includes such memorable songs as “Ten Minutes Ago,” “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” and many more. Read more

Fund helps studio bring da noise downtown

The Studio C crew has worked with the likes of Bret Michaels, Vanilla Ice, MC Lyte and Ed Lover. And you can now add the Staunton Creative Community Fund to that list.
“Today I feel ready to take on the national scene,” said Carlton Melton, the owner of Studio C Recording and Production, located at the intersection of West Beverley and North Lewis in Downtown Staunton, which was announced as the recipient of the Creative Fund’s sixth microloan on Wednesday. Read more