Warner delivers thank-yous to Navy Seals

Chris Graham

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner today delivered more than 1,200 messages of support and appreciation to U.S. Navy special operations personnel representing the successful military operation that eliminated Al Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. The ‘thank you’ notes were submitted through a message board set-up on Sen. Warner’s website, and through Facebook, Twitter and…

McDonnell launches teacher performance-pay initiative

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell has invited 57 school divisions that may have difficulty attracting, retaining and rewarding experienced, fully licensed teachers to participate in his Virginia Performance-Pay Incentives initiative for hard-to-staff schools. The initiative — which was approved by the 2011 General Assembly — is a centerpiece of McDonnell’s “Opportunity to Learn” education-reform agenda. It provides…

UVa. adds Hagans to football staff

Chris Graham

Virginia head football coach Mike London announced the addition of Marques Hagans to his football staff as a graduate assistant coach. Hagans will work with the offensive coaching staff. “Marques ‘Biscuit’ Hagans returning to UVa is a benefit for both of us,” said London. “He wants to learn and get involved in coaching – and…

Chris Graham: Draft Perriello?

Chris Graham

It seems to me that Tim Kaine is the logical choice for Virginia Democrats looking for a Senate candidate in 2012 – and I wouldn’t call myself a political genius for thinking that way. The conventional wisdom isn’t stopping a group of Virginia Dems who are pushing recently unseated former congressman Tom Perriello for the…

Creigh Deeds: Session report

Creigh Deeds

The 2011 session is rapidly winding down with adjournment scheduled on the 26th of February. The last few days of the session will be spent working out differences between House and Senate versions of bills. Major differences remain on some critical matters. The largest responsibility of the legislature each session is to pass a balanced…

FMS postgrad hoops team to teach basketball, life lessons to Y kids

Chris Graham

The nationally ranked postgraduate basketball team from Fishburne Military School will be holding a skills clinic for Waynesboro YMCA youth basketball on Tuesday, Feb. 22, beginning at 6 p.m. The clinic was initiated by FMS Superintendent Col. Rick Zinser as a community-outreach effort for the postgrad-hoops program, which has 14 players committed to Division I…

Creigh Deeds: Session update

Creigh Deeds

The Virginia General Assembly works as close as is possible to the way representative government was intended. Sessions are short, fast-paced and members, by necessity, have to earn their principal income outside of government. Members of the General Assembly come from all walks of life and must balance family and work with legislative service. It…

Report: Transportation investment would boost economy

Chris Graham

Virginia’s economy would expand by $4.1 billion and support 56,798 additional jobs if 16 infrastructure mega-projects being considered by the Virginia Department of Transportation are completed, according to research conducted by Stephen S. Fuller, a George Mason University professor in the School of Public Policy and Director of the Center for Regional Analysis. Gov. Bob…

VMI announces signing class

Chris Graham

VMI head coach Sparky Woods today announced the signings of the 2011 football signing class. The group features 17 signees, eight of which come from the state of Virginia, and eight from out-of-state. Eight states are represented in this year’s signing day class. “It’s going to be a talented class -one I think we can all…