Worse than last year, but …

Chris Graham

  Column by David Reynolds Columns, letters: [email protected] Back during the dark ages of the 1960s, the days after Thanksgiving did not mark the beginning of the holiday season. Rather it was the start of the “Budget Season.” At the old Bureau of the Budget in the old Executive Office Building (everything was old then),…

Focus | Taylor, Manevel throw hats into School Board ring

Chris Graham

   Story by Chris Graham [email protected] The three-plus years that Kathe Maneval has spent on the Waynesboro School Board have been “very rewarding.” “I really feel that we’re making a difference in the lives of children, and that’s what we’re here for,” said Maneval, who held a joint press conference with Jeremy Taylor as the…

JMU hosts virtual fashion show

AFP

  Staff Report JMU news: www.jmu.edu James Madison University will host the first virtual fashion show in the Shenandoah Valley, via the online world of Second Life. Members of JMU’s Second Life community will take to the runway with avatars to model the latest virtual fashions. The event will take place at 4 p.m., Thursday,…

RMH: Temporary visitation restrictions continue

AFP

  Staff Report News tips: [email protected] The temporary hospital visitation restrictions recently put in place at RMH to help prevent the spread of flu will stay in effect throughout the winter, according to RMH infection prevention specialists. “The temporary visitation restrictions were established to provide a safe and caring atmosphere for our patients,” explained Becky…

Focus | Kaine marks beginning of smoking ban

Chris Graham

Three-year effort leads to statewide ban Story by Chris Graham [email protected] With AFP Video A multiyear effort that began with Gov. Tim Kaine signing in 2006 an executive order banning smoking in state buildings was realized today with the implementation of a statewide ban on smoking in most restaurants and bars. Kaine said today in…

Focus | Groundbreaking development at new WSH

Chris Graham

Governor in town to help mark occasion Story by Chris Graham [email protected] With AFP Video Government doesn’t have a reputation for doing something that makes as much sense as the work that is going into the construction of the new Western State Hospital, which is being built adjacent to the current WSH campus in Staunton…

Focus | Does Virginia’s state-budget process make sense?

Chris Graham

House Speaker weighs in Story by Chris Graham [email protected] The Kaine administration is hard at work putting together a proposed two-year budget for state lawmakers to review in the upcoming 2010 General Assembly session. Anybody see what might be wrong with this picture? The big thing is that Tim Kaine won’t be governor next year,…

Exchange Club works to raise awareness of child abuse

AFP

  Staff Report News tips: [email protected] During this week, Monday, Nov. 30 through Saturday, Dec. 5, the Waynesboro Exchange Club will be distributing helpful informational brochures on child abuse and free blue light bulbs as part of its Blue Light of Hope Campaign to promote prevention of child abuse. Unfortunately, child abuse is widespread, affecting…

Casual comments

AFP

  Column by Nan Russell Columns, letters: [email protected] “Nana, when I get older, I want blue eyes,” my nearly 3-year-old granddaughter remarked, prompting a discussion about eye color followed by praise for her dark brown eyes. Still she persisted in her wishful thinking, telling to her grandfather, mother, and father that she was going to…

The giving of thanks

David Cox

Column by David Cox Some old-timers will remember Emily Penick Pearse, a doyenne among other things among Lee Chapel docents. As such, she once met a monk named David Steindl-Rast who happened to be a noted author on matters spiritual. One of his books was called, Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer. His explanation indicated to…