City officials watching weather forecast
Snow-rain double-whammy caused massive ’96 flooding
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The first of the two 100-year floods of 1996 in Waynesboro was precipitated by a massive early-January snowstorm that dumped 30 inches-plus of snow followed by a heavy-rain event a week later that forced the South River out of its banks.
With snow still on the ground from the 30-inch-plus snow event of the past weekend and rain in the forecast for the end of the week, city officials are closely monitoring the weather situation, though things aren’t looking like they’re lining up for a repeat of January 1996 at this point in time. Read more
Acoustic with a mission
Music Guild Night set for Saturday night
Staff Report
News Tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
The Staunton Music Guild has recently partnered with several local businesses and organizations to benefit community and cultural causes, and on Saturday, Dec. 26, from 7-10 p.m., will join with Mockingbird Roots Music Hall, 123 W. Beverley St., to hold “Staunton Music Guild Night.” Read more
Two surprises in McDonnell appointments
Gov.-elect appoints former Bolling rival, Kaine holdover to Cabinet posts
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
A former political rival to Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and a holdover from the outgoing administration of Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine highlight the Cabinet appointments announced today by Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell.
McDonnell appointed Sean Connaughton, former chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors and later administrator of the Maritime Administration in the United States Department of Transportation, as Secretary of Transportation. Connaughton challenged Bolling for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor in 2005 and lost to Bolling in the hotly contested ’05 primary for the nomination. Read more
Post-storm update
City Councilwoman updates snow-removal operations in Waynesboro
Report by Lorie Smith
www.loriesmith.com
Here we are three days after the historic 24-inch snowfall that blanketed Waynesboro. Virginia and surrounding states were hit hard; our area particularly so. In an effort to keep the public informed, I’d like to provide you with some post-storm updates
Current Road Conditions:
Intersections are still quite slushy at this point. City crews are working on this issue to avoid nightly refreezes.
Sidewalk Cleanup:
It is unrealistic to expect citizens to clear this volume of snow under a strict timeframe. I anticipate a relaxed enforcement policy that will give citizens and businesses ample time to clear their sidewalks. Read more
Snow piles up at Wintergreen
Just in time for holiday season
Staff Report
News Tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
Wintergreen Resort received 30 inches of fresh snow from the weekend winter storm – a boon for winter-sports enthusiasts with the holidays approaching.
“If the forecast and our snowmaking equipment cooperate, we should have almost perfect skiing for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays,” said Hank Thiess, general manager of Wintergreen Resort. Read more
Evans scores 32 to lead JMU to win over Longwood
Staff Report
JMU sports: www.jmusports.com
James Madison junior guard Dawn Evans (Clarksville, Tenn./Northeast) scored a game-high 32 points to lead the 25th-ranked Dukes to an 85-67 win over Longwood in women’s basketball Monday evening at the JMU Convocation Center.
JMU improved to 8-1 while Longwood dropped to 4-9.
Evans scored JMU’s first eight points, and her team never trailed. The Dukes held a double-digit lead for the last 9:26 of the first half and were ahead by 17, 45-28, at halftime. Longwood got no closer than 12 (54-42 at 15:54) in the second period. Read more
AFPBusiness.com launches new site for Platinum Furniture Care
Staff
Website development: freepress2@ntelos.net
AFPBusiness.com has launched the new web home for the Waynesboro-based Platinum Furniture Care.
Platinum offers a full line of protection services for furniture, carpets and rugs and mattresses under the Guardian and Crypton product lines.
For more information on Platinum Furniture Care, check out the new website at www.PlatinumFurnitureCare.com.
Collegiate Baseball: UVa. #3 in preseason rankings
Staff Report
UVa. sports: www.virginiasports.com
The Virginia baseball team is ranked No. 3 nationally in Collegiate Baseball’s “Fabulous 40″ NCAA Division I Preseason Poll, which was released today. It marks the first of the preseason polls to be released for the upcoming college baseball season. Read more
Downtown revitalization: Time for action
Column by Lorie Smith
www.loriesmith.com
Two weeks ago, Waynesboro held a downtown planning session. The city engaged the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to assist in creating a Downtown Revitalization Plan. Over the coming months, this plan will be formally developed and submitted for approval to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Waynesboro could potentially receive up to $1 million in funds towards downtown revitalization.
I eagerly participated in this meeting. I’m pleased to report that there was “standing room only” in Council Chambers. There were approximately 70 people in attendance, including downtown business owners, new residents, concerned citizens, and a few folks from surrounding areas who care deeply about Waynesboro, just to name a few. Read more
Webb: Status quo of health-care system ‘unacceptable’
Senator explains vote to move forward with legislation
Statement from U.S. Sen. Jim Webb
www.webb.senate.gov
I have decided to vote in favor of moving forward on health care reform legislation. I do so despite my disappointment with some sections of the bill, which I will continue to address in the future. But the final package presented by the majority leader reflects many improvements that take into consideration the concerns that I and others brought forward during the debate. Read more
The Rant | Shovel this!
Video Essay by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
How nice – one local government here locally is saying it will give its residents a break from requirements to have sidewalks clear following the end of a winter-storm event due to the enormity of the event that we endured over the weekend.
AFP editor Chris Graham wonders aloud in today’s Rant on the incursion into private-property rights from such requirements. Read more
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The Rant | Merry Christmas – Yeah, I said it
Posted on December 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Video Essay by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
AFP editor Chris Graham dares to be different in wishing you an … interesting … sort of “Merry Christmas.” Read more
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with happy holidays, merry christmas, political correctness