Planning Augusta: What color is your property?
So you own land in Augusta County? Have you ever located your neighborhood on the county’s planning map and wondered what all those pretty colors mean? You will have an opportunity to find out at “Planning Augusta,” the next program in the “This Place Augusta” series on Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m. at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona.
Augusta County officials will be on hand to describe the current Comprehensive Plan, go over maps and other materials, and explain the types of information all citizens should be aware of regarding their property. Learn what planning policy area your piece of land is in. See what kind of development is likely to happen around you according to the future land use map. Continue reading “Planning Augusta: What color is your property?” »
Lead gift builds strong foundation
SAW Habitat for Humanity announced today the largest gift given and 100 percent participation from the organization’s Board of Directors for the “What Will You Build” campaign that started today.
The challenge gift – just over $100,000 – was given by Tom Montgomery, chairman of the board of SAW Habitat for Humanity and CEO of Old Colony Construction, and sets a standard in giving to provide resources to rehabilitate homes, restore communities, and build a 25-home community. Continue reading “Lead gift builds strong foundation” »
VDOT road-work schedule
The following is a list of highway work that might affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks.
Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. Also, when traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures. Continue reading “VDOT road-work schedule” »
$100K matching gift creates an opportunity to build a Habitat dream development
Raymond Reed, a long-time resident of Waynesboro, project manager and supporter of Staunton–Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity, passed away last March. But his dream to create housing for working poor families didn’t because he and his wife, Peggy Reed, share the same vision.
At a recent volunteer dinner Peggy Reed was recognized for her work stepping up to continue her husband’s service on Habitat’s Board of Directors. Their gift of $100,000 earmarked for Waynesboro projects was announced today as a matching gift opportunity for the 2012 Habitat campaign, “What Will You Build?” Continue reading “$100K matching gift creates an opportunity to build a Habitat dream development” »
VDOT work schedule: Feb. 13-17
The following is a list of highway work that might affect traffic in the Staunton Transportation District during the coming weeks.
Work scheduled is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. Also, when traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures. Continue reading “VDOT work schedule: Feb. 13-17” »
New coalition forms to support county schools
Without additional revenue the Augusta County School System will be required to slash another $5 million from the budget for the 2012-2013 school year. After a discussion with Augusta County Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bishop, a group of parents decided that a change must be made.
That change includes the formation of the Coalition to Support Our Schools, a grassroots organization of parents, business partners, school employees and church and community leaders. Serving as the initial spark of momentum, Kim Bowman created an online petition (click here to access the petition). Continue reading “New coalition forms to support county schools” »
Community Foundation announces creation of Governor’s School fund
The Community Foundation along with the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School, is thrilled to announce the creation of the SVGS Director’s Fund in honor of Linda N. Cauley, the first director of the school who retired last year.
Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School has numerous alumni, students, parents and patrons who have expressed an interest in contributing financially to the current and future needs and general welfare of the school. As a result, SVGS seniors, Grant Sauer, Molly Huss and Trevor Fisher established this fund to show their appreciation of SVGS, its staff and the many opportunities offered to them and other students in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County. Continue reading “Community Foundation announces creation of Governor’s School fund” »
CAPSAW receives grant to provide free tax preparation services
Anna Leavitt, coordinator of the Community Action Partnership of Staunton, Augusta and Waynesboro, announced an expansion of their free tax preparation services.
This expansion was made possible by a grant from the Virginia Community Action Partnership’s Virginia Cash Campaign. Leavitt explained that nationwide approximately 25 percent of eligible tax payers are not claiming the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits.
“This leaves literally millions upon millions of unclaimed dollars. When those dollars are combined with paying for tax preparation services, the burden on local working families is staggering,” Leavitt said. Continue reading “CAPSAW receives grant to provide free tax preparation services” »
Community Emergency Response Training offered
The Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and Augusta County will be offering Community Emergency Response Training. The course will be held on Thursday mornings, Jan.12–March 15, from 9–11:30 a.m. at the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission Office at 112 MacTanly Place in Staunton.
This nine-week course uses a standard curriculum designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and teaches basic skills in disaster preparedness, fire safety, first aid, terrorism awareness, disaster psychology, and search & rescue. The CERT course is designed to give the average person tools to prepare themselves and their family and/or their business during severe weather or other emergencies when emergency personnel are overwhelmed and may not be able to respond immediately.
The course is open to anyone who either lives or works in Staunton, Waynesboro, or Augusta County.
The course is free and all materials are provided. Pre-registration (no later than Jan.6, 2012) is required.
To pre-register for the course contact Rebecca Joyce, CERT Coordinator by telephone at 540-885-5174 or by email at rebecca@cspdc.org.
AFP to lead social media, web seminar for Augusta Health Community Forum
AFP principal Chris Graham will lead a Jan. 23 seminar on social media and web marketing being sponsored by the Augusta Health Community Health Forum.
The seminar – Building the Machine – will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Virginia Regional Transit/CATS building, 51 Ivy Ridge Lane, Fishersville.
The $25 fee for the seminar includes a boxed lunch that will be provided for participants.
Graham is the co-founder of Augusta Free Press LLC, which was founded in 2002 and publishes the daily news website AugustaFreePress.com, which draws more than 110,000 unique visitors and 1 million page views per month. The company’s print magazine, The New Dominion Magazine, has won five Virginia Press Association magazine awards. Continue reading “AFP to lead social media, web seminar for Augusta Health Community Forum” »
United Way awards additional $40K in grants
The Board of Directors of the United Way of Greater Augusta is very aware of the needs in the community. With the reduction of almost 70 percent in FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Funding to the region and the increased demand for housing and utility assistance, it was important for the United Way to respond.
The United Way of Greater Augusta exceeded its $600,000 campaign goal for 2010-2011 due to the outpouring of donations from the community, but the need to the community is also growing exponentially. One of the most vital needs is in basic necessities; such as shelter and heat for the upcoming winter. There are also those individuals from the Beverly Hotel still trying to obtain permanent housing.
The Board of Directors awarded the Staunton Salvation Army $25,250, a portion which is specifically earmarked for the displaced Beverly Hotel residents, and $15,250 to the Waynesboro Salvation Army. This money is for new clients that are for the first time struggling to keep a roof over the families heads this year.
Judy Burtner, chairman of the Board, stated, “If we are to be true to our mission, to serve as a catalyst to improve the lives of people in our community, then we must respond when the community needs us to.”
Lt John Blevins, Salvation Army Waynesboro, stated: “We can really use the additional funds and we can put it to good use for many families who will be in need this winter.”
Maj. Samuel Hearne, Salvation Army Staunton, stated: “”This will give us the resources to get those from the Beverly settled in long-term living situations.”
Cynthia Pritchard, executive director of the United Way, said: “The reduction in FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter program for our region hit our area hard and the United Way wanted to make sure that people could be taken care of this winter.”
The United Way of Greater Augusta is currently in the midst of its 2012-2013 campaign, and the trend is looking positive for them to achieve their $700,000 campaign goal. The United Way is grateful to donors in the community who can see the needs and donate to the programs and service the United Way supports.
Bell wins re-election in landslide
Incumbent Republican Dickie Bell won re-election in the 20th House District by receiving 69.8 percent of the vote in his race with Democrat Laura Kleiner.
Bell, a former Staunton City Councilman and Augusta County schoolteacher, was strongest in Augusta County, where he won 82.8 percent of the votes against Kleiner, a recent Mary Baldwin College graduate.
Bell won majorities in every locality in the 20th, which was redrawn in the 2011 legislative redistricting to add Waynesboro and Nelson County. Bell garnered 72.4 percent of the vote in Waynesboro and 66.4 percent of the vote in Staunton, where he had won four elections to City Council before running and winning in the 20th House District race in 2009.
Kleiner performed best in Democrat-friendly Nelson County, though she still fell short of a majority in Nelson, getting 44.1 percent of the vote there.
