VDOT to hold design public hearing on 280 Southeast Connector
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 discuss the project on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and designers. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date to Mr. John-Allen Ennis, P.E. Virginia Department of Transportation, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA 24401-9029. Oral comments can be recorded at the meeting with the assistance of a court reporter
The project is 0.6-mile long and extends from 0.1 mile west of the Harrisonburg City limits to 0.5 mile east of the Harrisonburg City limits.
The majority of this roadway will be on new location with intersections at several other routes, including Route 726 (Stone Spring Road), Route 253 (Port Republic Road), Route 710 (Reservoir Street), Route 704 (Boyers Road) and Route 33. It will be a four-lane divided Urban Minor Arterial roadway over rolling terrain with a 50 mile-per hour design speed. It will have 12-foot lanes with 10-foot shoulders that include eight-foot wide paved shoulders and a 16-foot raised median. Approximately 200 feet of right of way will be required for this project.
The road will tie into a City of Harrisonburg project currently under development which widens Stone Spring Road to five lanes out to the Rockingham County limits. This project continues the multilane facility east through Rockingham County until it intersects with Route 33.
The total estimated cost for this project is $10,185,960 with $1,081,498 for preliminary engineering, $2,413,405 for right of way activities, and $6,691,057 for construction.
Design approval is scheduled for summer 2011 with right of way activities also beginning in fall 2011. Construction will begin in early 2013 with completion in spring 2014.
The average daily traffic volume on Stone Spring Road (Route 726) is 3,800 vehicles per day. Route 280 is projected to have 19,000 vehicles per day in the year 2034.
Virginia horse industry has $1.2B economic impact
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today a new study on the Virginia horse industry. A study prepared by the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and funded by the Virginia Horse Industry Board found that the horse industry in Virginia has an annual economic impact of $1.2 billion.
WCC’s regional economist Dr. Terance Rephann determined that the equine industry in the Commonwealth continues to expand and its economic impact continues to grow.
“The equine industry’s influence is felt in all parts of the state,” said Dr. Rephann. “We see a very positive effect on jobs, recreation, tourism, retail sales and state and local taxation.”
He adds that the largest areas of economic impact continue to be in Northern Virginia with more than 1,600 horse-related jobs in Fauquier and Loudoun Counties. However, the largest employment impact in the state is in Rockbridge Country—the location of the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. More than 1,330 jobs are industry related in Lexington and Buena Vista. “The horse industry in Virginia generates $65.3 million in state and local taxes,” he said, “with more than 50 percent of that representing state taxes.”
Additional key findings from the just-released equine survey include:
The industry generated more than 16,000 jobs in 2010 in Virginia with the greatest effects in the agricultural and ag services sectors, and a lesser effect in the areas of trade and construction.
Horse owners spend $873 million annually on horse-related expenses—including feed and bedding, boarding, training, tack, capital improvements and labor. These expenses average $4,060 per horse.
Nearly 1,200 horse shows and events were held in Virginia in 2010—generating $25 million in revenue.
Some 939,000 people attended Virginia horse shows and competitions last year. Out-of-state participants spent an average of $3,100 per event.
Virginia ranks 12th in the nation for numbers of horses.
According to the Census of Agriculture Statistics, while the number of farms in Virginia decreased between 1997-2007, the number of farms with horses actually increased from 10,972 to 13,520 during that same period—offsetting a more significant decline in farms in general.
Virginia has an estimated 215,000 equines and some 41,000 equine operations.
“While I am glad to see these very impressive figures on the economic impact of the horse industry in the Commonwealth, I didn’t need a statistical survey to prove how important horses are in Virginia,” said Matthew J. Lohr, VDACS commissioner. “My father-in-law has three horses on his farm and both of my children enjoy riding them around his property. Horses add so much to our lives on a personal level, but when I look at the big picture, I see just how much they contribute to our state’s economic well-being, as well.”
The full study is available on the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center website, www.coopercenter.org/econ (click on link in the news and events section).
Bolling to headline Fly Fishing Festival Foundation Dinner
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will be the keynote speaker at the 11th annual Virginia Fly Fishing Festival Foundation Dinner on Saturday, April 16, at the midpoint of the two-day festival in Downtown Waynesboro.
Bolling, an avid fly fisherman, has been working with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and other outdoors organizations to promote fly fishing in Virginia from the lieutenant governor’s office.
“Fishing and other outdoor recreational activities have a very positive economic impact on the Commonwealth, and the lieutenant governor is doing everything he can to help improve Virginia’s economy. He also just likes to fish. In fact, he personally fishes in the South River, and knows how important the Fly Fishing Festival is to Waynesboro,” said Bolling spokesperson Ibbie Hedrick.
The Foundation Dinner, sponsored by Dominion Resources, is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Waynesboro Country Club. Tickets are $50 per person and include an all-you-can-eat prime rib and chicken buffet, soft drinks, and dessert.
The Virginia Fly Fishing Festival is April 16-17 and features nonstop free lectures and tips on where, when, and how to fly fish in the Old Dominion and across the globe as well as wine-tasting and live music, all on the banks of the South River.
More information on the Festival is available online at www.VaFlyFishingFestival.org.
Story by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
Ken Plum: Virginia in the nation
Virginia spends less on per-pupil funding K-12 than does the state of Mississippi, according to an editorial in the Roanoke Times last week. Not much less; but less along with twelve other states that spend less than Mississippi, the state that has always been thought to be the bottom rung on the ladder for school funding. Virginia’s state per pupil funding of $4,840 was significantly less than the national average of $6,139 and less than Maryland at $6,503 and West Virginia at $6,116. Our rank of 38th lowest is a drop from being the 33rd lowest in 2006-07.
Of course, public education is a partnership between the state and local governments in Virginia and in most states. The numbers above are only part of the story. To understand the full story, one needs also to consider local funding. Virginia’s budget is based on a split of the costs of schools with the state on the average paying 55 percent and the local government paying 45 percent. The actual monies a locality receives is based on its wealth as measured by a composite index. Wealthy communities must pay up to 80 percent of their education costs while the poorest localities may pay as little as 20 percent of educational costs. In practice, however, the state has seldom reached its average of 55 percent. In 2007-08, before the full impact of the recession, Virginia was providing only 41 percent of K-12 revenue; localities had to pick up 53 percent rather than 45 percent. The federal government provided 6 percent of revenue. Put all the sources of revenue together and Virginia’s $11,080 per pupil funding is slightly above the national average of $11,004.
As you have already figured out, if the state is not providing its required share the localities must make up the difference. That is why the Commonwealth ranks 12th in local per-pupil funding. Local school boards and local supervisors attempt to preserve their schools as much as they can, and when state revenue is not provided they have to provide more local money. The only source for major local revenue is the property tax. As property values have gone down tax rates have had to be adjusted upward to offset the loss of state revenue. While Richmond politicians brag about not raising taxes, they actually have in reality by forcing more and more school costs down to localities and onto the property tax payers’ backs. Local communities pick up the difference because of their commitment to quality schools.
If you want to check the source of any of these numbers, go to jlarc.virginia.gov. Go to the publication, “Virginia Compared to Other States, 2011.” I will address other comparisons in future columns.
Ken Plum is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Chris DeWald: Stroke/heart stress test
Hello, readers. This is another adventure in my world that allows me to share information to you. I am going to be utilizing information from this website and tell you about “my time” and how fortunate we have such a great staff at Augusta Health: www.nvcardiology.com/nuclear_imaging.htm.
Now, how did I end up doing this test? I sure did not get an award for it. My general physician, Dr. Margaret Siman, felt it was necessary as I had sharp pains in my chest that would extend towards my arm. Since I had a previous myocardial infarction as well as a stroke, this seemed to be a safety net for me. Safety net indeed, I had just fallen the previous weekend and fractured my T-12 spinal bone. I missed my computer chair upon sitting. Sound familiar, anyone?
Let’s move along now, As coronary artery disease (CAD) progresses, the heart muscle may not receive enough blood supply when under stress. This often results in chest pain (angina pectoris) or shortness of breath. On the other hand, there may be no outward physical signs of significant disease. If CAD is limiting blood flow to part of your heart, the nuclear stress test may be useful in detecting the presence and significance of CAD.
A nuclear stress test is a diagnostic nuclear imaging study that uses radioactive tracers, called technetium and thallium, to produce images of the heart muscle. When combined with the stress component, either through exercise or use of an intravenous pharmacological agent, the nuclear stress images can help determine if the heart muscle is getting sufficient blood supply. After the radioactive tracers are injected through an IV, they travel in the bloodstream through the coronary arteries until they are picked up by the heart muscle. The areas of the heart that have an adequate blood supply pick up the tracer right away and more completely while areas that do not have adequate blood supply pick up the tracer very slowly or not at all. The radioactive isotopes give off a small amount of radiation that is detected with a nuclear scanning camera. If an area receives less blood than the rest of the heart (because of a blocked or narrowed artery), it will pick up a lower level of radioactivity and will show up as a lighter area, called a “defect.” This is how we can tell whether or not there might be a blocked artery in the heart.
At Augusta Health, I went to the cardiology department and had the most pleasant receptionist. I wish I had taken her name, but she was extremely busy. I think she runs the show. I then was met a nuclear medicine technologist by the name of Jeffrey Byrd. This was my first chain of what I perceived as a scary procedure. He was very assuring and knowledgeable of the procedure and explained everything and anything I wanted to know. This is how I want to be treated as a patient. Jeffrey inserted an IV after painstakingly trying to find a useable vein. Why try? The previous day I had gone to the VA Outpatient for my yearly blood withdrawal. Do I need to tell you how many times I was stuck? OK, you guys can surmise the “point”…
That’s where the first injection of the radionuclides took place. It started out with the feeling of cold rushing into my arm. It then got warm but was gone in about 30 seconds. I had to sit for 30 minutes for the jungle juice just inserted in me to be into all my heart vessels. So I sat watching Dr. Oz with some laser hair removal system. Oh my, where is that remote?
Roberta Garrett, a medical medicine technologist, then removed my tortured TV vision self and brought me to the scanner. She was very informative and went over the procedure in detail. The scanner look similar to a CT scanner but it has openings that when it is close to your head, you have enough clearance in the instrument that no fears should arise if you have fear of close spaces as in an MRI. In an MRI,
I have to be highly sedated. I never was before my stroke, mind you.
The first part was simple. Then my IV was removed, a beautiful cosmetic bandage was applied and I was off until 7:30 the next day.
The next day I arrive and met with another nuclear medicine technologist by the name of Hunter Kline. Again, I was met by another very knowledgeable and thorough tech. I was led to the same “injection” room where another IV was secured. At least they had news on and the death of Liz Taylor was on the television so I had something to watch, but not long. I was then tossed into the hands of a pleasant tech by the name of Birdie. The name was so pleasant I felt she should be known as such. It seemed everyone else knew her. I knew my chest hair would not survive as she was going to hook me up to the heart sensors. She informed me of the procedure and what was to be done. First, the medicine to be injected into me was discussed.
What is Lexiscan?
Lexiscan, a substance engineered based on a naturally occurring substance in your body, when injected acts as a vasodilator. It increases the blood vessel circumference of the coronary arteries (arteries that feed the heart) in order to increase blood flow to the heart. We have selected Lexiscan to replace the previously used Adenosine because of the fewer associated side effects and its ease of use. Any side effects you may experience will be generally predictable, short-lived, and easily tolerated. Side effects can include: chest pressure, dizziness, shortness of breath, flushing, headache, lightheadedness, nausea, or numbness. Lexiscan should not be used in patients who have a hypersensitivity to this drug and in patients who have known severe bronchospastic or bronchoconstrictive lung disease (e.g., asthma or COPD and are using regular inhalers or wheezing is heard on examination of your lungs prior to the procedure). Each patient will be evaluated on the day of the procedure prior to the start of the stress test.
She was very thorough on this and especially the side effects. It seemed they really stressed this in the stress test (sic). Of course I had one of the side effects, why not? Mine was the flush feeling and a headache. My doctor monitoring the test was Dr. Gary Murray of Blue Ridge Cardiology. What a fantastic medical physician he was. He told me in 15 seconds the feelings would be gone. He was spot on. He had a nice reassuring smile like Norman Rockwell would paint.
I was then released for one hour to eat as I was told the eating made the next test easier to see. It was the same scanner I initially went through. I was told they compare the heart at rest taken the previous day to the one stressed out. I think the IV stressed me out more. After the scan, I was sent on my way. Would I go to this facility on a heart issue again, you betcha. But leave me alone hospital for now.
Thanks, readers.
Column by Chris DeWald
Governor announces program to save costs at rest stops
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today a new cost-saving program designed to generate additional revenues to help defray the costs of operating the Commonwealth’s 42 safety rest areas and welcome centers.
In July 2010, McDonnell directed the Virginia Department of Transportation to work in partnership with other state agencies to identify and implement long-term strategies to generate new revenues through Virginia’s rest areas. On March 16, VDOT issued a request for proposals for the new Sponsorship, Advertising, and Vending Enhancement (SAVE) program, which will enhance visitors’ experiences while maximizing the revenue generating assets of the rest areas.
“In these fiscally challenging times, we have to look for innovative new solutions for maintaining and operating the Commonwealth’s rest area and welcome center facilities. These facilities serve a critical role in providing a safe place for travelers to rest and providing information to tourists, businesses, and commuters on the many attractions and services the Commonwealth has to offer. By partnering with the private sector, we will save taxpayer dollars, and keep our rest areas and welcome centers open. Our administration is committed to making state government smaller and smarter, and the SAVE program is part of that overall effort,” McDonnell said.
The SAVE program is one of the first of its kind among state transportation agencies. The program will enable private-sector firms to establish paid sponsorships and advertising at rest areas and welcome centers and manage vending at these locations. The goal of the program is to solicit innovative proposals that expand these services to offer additional vending and traveler information, while improving travelers’ experiences and generating new revenues to defray the costs of operating the facilities.
“The SAVE program is one of several steps we are taking to address the costs of maintaining and operating these critical facilities,” said Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton. “Last fall VDOT issued new maintenance contracts for the facilities and the department continues to work with the public and private sectors to develop other innovative alternatives to the current operating structure.”
Last April, McDonnell re-opened the last of the Commonwealth’s closed rest area facilities. These facilities serve an average of more than 90,000 travelers each day and provide convenient, safe places to rest for an estimated 33 million visitors each year.
Project to grow with grant from Augusta Health Foundation
Project GROWS is proud to announce they are the recipients of a multi-year grant from the Augusta Health Foundation to reduce childhood obesity in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.
Project GROWS stands for Growing Responsibly & Organically With Sustainability and focuses on the reduction of childhood obesity through creating youth-based community gardens and teaching the importance of nutrition and physical activity through hands-on involvement.
“These gardens will serve as a source of employment for youth, education to the public on nutrition, and a place in the future where people who are food insecure will have a source of healthy fresh produce”, stated Karen Hicks of the Valley Community Services Board, one of the 10 community agencies collaborating on this initiative.
To get Project GROWS off the ground and out of the planning stages, Jill Templeton was recently hired as the project’s coordinator. Templeton will be working to implement the program, from identifying and designing the garden site to working with community youth in the garden.
For more information on Project GROWS and how you can become part of this community project, contact Templeton at 540.480.0371.
Staunton to host entrepreneur workshop
The City of Staunton announces that the Office of Economic Development and the Staunton Downtown Development Association will host Entrepreneur Essentials – a day-long business fair – from 9am to 6pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at City Hall in downtown Staunton.
Entrepreneur Essentials is a business resource fair with workshops, exhibitors, and giveaways throughout the day. The workshop schedule will start off with a presentation about QuickBooks presented by Kris McMackin, CPA, followed by a business valuation presentation presented by Dick Halterman with Murphy Business Brokers and Appraisal.
Julie Markowitz, executive director of the Staunton Downtown Development Association and Sheryl Wagner, Staunton director of tourism, will present a workshop entitled “Strategic Media Buys” in the afternoon, just before Meghan Williamson with the Staunton Creative Community Fund discusses relationship-based marketing with special guests Erin Blanton of Pufferbellies Toys and Books and Mary Katherine Froehlich of Stone Soup Books.
The day will end with a panel discussion on the power of merchandise with topics related to effective merchandise display and product knowledge. This last workshop, facilitated by former New York City store designer James Robertson, will feature local retailers including Rebecca Watson of Turtle Lane, Kathleen Steinhart of Cranberry’s, Linda Collins of Sunspots, and Charles Walker of Post 36.
“These are action-packed, interactive workshops with local experts” stated Amanda Glover, assistant director of economic development for the city. “If you are a current business owner or are considering opening a business, you won’t want to miss this opportunity,” Glover added.
In addition to the workshops, approximately a dozen business resource providers will be exhibiting on the first floor of city hall and will be available to speak with event attendees about a variety of business needs. Event organizers say there is something for everyone and encourages every type of business owner to attend, even if just for one workshop or just to stop by the exhibit hall. A number of prizes valued at $1,000 combined will also be given away during the event.
“We’re always looking for ways to provide tools and resources for our businesses,” Markowitz said. “Small business owners in particular don’t always have the time to seek out the services they need during the course of the business day. This event combines a lot of different service providers and makes them accessible to the business community right here in Downtown Staunton.”
Glover added, “We also want to let our Staunton businesses know that the City appreciates them. A lot of businesses have been facing especially hard times during the last few years and this is our small way of giving back.”
More information and workshop registration is available online at www.staunton.va.us/EE or by calling the Department of Economic Development at 540.332.3869 or the Staunton Downtown Development Association at 540.332.3867.
There is no charge to attend and the event is open to anyone, regardless of business location.
#3 UVa. posts another shutout win
The Virginia pitching staff combined for its second shutout in as many nights as the Cavaliers topped Towson 5-0 Wednesday at Davenport Field. UVa improved to 21-2 this season with the win, while Towson dropped to 6-14-1.
Virginia recorded its seventh shutout of the season – fourth most in a single season in program history. UVa posted back-to-back shutouts for the third time this season, while Towson was blanked in consecutive games for the first time since April 22 and 23, 2003. Read more
JMU wins wild one with Cornell
James Madison took the lead with a five-run fifth inning and held off Cornell for a 13-12 win in a non-conference baseball game on Wednesday afternoon at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.
JMU won its third in a row to improve to 17-5 overall and 12-3 at home while sweeping the brief two-game set. Cornell dropped to 1-11 on the season. Read more
UVa-JMU women's lax game halted by lightning, will be replayed
The No. 8 Virginia women’s lacrosse team’s game at No. 10 James Madison Wednesday was stopped in progress due to inclement weather. The game has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 27 at 7 p.m., at the JMU Lacrosse Complex.
Lightning in the area stopped play at the 4:11 mark of the first half with the score tied at 5-5. On the makeup date, the game will be restarted from the beginning and all results from tonight’s contest will not count.
The Cavaliers (5-3) will be back in action this weekend as they host No. 3 Duke Saturday at Klöckner Stadium. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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The AFP on WREL: At rest
Posted on March 25, 2011 · Leave a Comment
The segment begins with Chris and Jim talking about Gov. Bob McDonnell’s plans for raising money for Virginia’s rest areas by selling ads for display at the rest areas. Will that be enough to cover the budget gap in operating rest areas in the Commonwealth?
The attention then turns to the one-year anniversary of the signing of the federal health-care reform. Virginia’s GOP leadership has been at the forefront of efforts to block the law from taking effect. Chris discusses the politics in statements put out by people on both sides of the aisle in connection with the anniversary.
We wrap with a look at sports – and specifically the runs of Richmond and VCU into the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with afp on wrel, bob mcdonnell, ncaa basketball, virginia politics, virginia rest areas