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The Top Story by Chris Graham Dickie Bell hates thinking that he might have been prescient when he raised objections to the proposed economic-development plan that was eventually adopted by Staunton City Council in 2002 that put the bulk of the focus of the city’s development efforts on the retail and tourism sectors.
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The Top Story by Chris Graham Staunton residents are worried about the apparent lack of affordable housing in the Queen City. Don’t think that the candidates for the three open seats on Staunton City Council haven’t noticed that.
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Story by Chris Graham Republican Party leaders wanted to make it look like they were extending an olive branch out to Sen. Emmett Hanger after what was an ugly primary battle between the incumbent and the man that they backed for the 24th Senate District GOP nomination, Scott Sayre.
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Story by Chris Graham Big money is flowing into the hotly contested Republican Party primary in the 24th Senate District – and it’s going out as quickly as candidates Emmett Hanger and Scott Sayre can spend it. Hanger, the three-term incumbent from Mount Solon, raised $87,864 in the April 1-May 30 reporting period, according to…
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Story by Chris Graham You’ve heard of October Surprises. How about a June Surprise – a day early? A report on a local politics website has brought to light two drunk-driving convictions on the record of Mary Brandt Sayre, the wife of 24th Senate District Republican Party nomination candidate Scott Sayre, who is challenging incumbent…
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Bishop’s Mantle column by Jim Bishop What makes any of us acquire so many things? This pesky question resurfaced as I rummaged through accumulated items once deemed priceless treasures. The occasion was preparing for the semi-annual (spring) Belmont Estates yard sale. This seminal event, a cross between a street market and a family reunion, still…
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Bishop’s Mantle column by Jim Bishop “A dream is a wish your heart makes. . .” – Jiminy Cricket Nearing the end of my illustrious high-school pilgrimage, my overriding dream – other than to graduate with some semblance of academic respectability – was to play music on the radio. I don’t mean sitting by my…
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Bishop’s Mantle column by Jim Bishop While preparing for an upcoming talk, I pulled the thick black volume off the shelf, wiped dust off its leather-bound covers with my name embossed in faded gold lettering, opened it, and a flood of memories poured forth.
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Bishop’s Mantle column by Jim Bishop Dave and Shari Smucker were stymied. Nearly three years had passed, and it didn’t appear hopeful that Aaron, now 3 years old, would ever join their family in Harrisonburg. The couple had made several visits to the youngster’s home in Guatemala, and each time, some technicality prevented them from…
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Bishop’s Mantle column by Jim Bishop The past four years, Dave and Sheri Smucker of Harrisonburg have had numerous hands-on lessons in learning to wait … and waiting some more. Their amazing odyssey includes two adoptions, a near-death experience and several minor miracles – if one believes that certain experiences defy rational explanation.
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