FEMA denies earthquake aid

Chris Graham

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Virginia’s request for individual assistance to help property owners affected by the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Aug. 23.  Damage assessments for residential properties are nearly $15 million, mostly in uninsured costs. “We are very disappointed in FEMA’s decision, and we will immediately appeal,” Gov. Bob McDonnell…

Augusta County Sheriff’s Office goes green

AFP

The Augusta County Sheriff’s office announced this week the conversion of eight Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers currently in their fleet to propane autogas. Conversions are being made through funding from the Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy as well as the United States Department of Energy. Grant funding is managed by Virginia Clean…

ACLU seeks details on government’s phone tracking

AFP

In a massive coordinated information-seeking campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and 33 other affiliates across the nation today are sending requests to more than 375 local law enforcement agencies large and small demanding to know when, why and how they are using cell phone location data to track Americans. The Virginia affiliate…

Harrington case to be featured on ‘Heavy Metal Mystery’

Chris Graham

The cable and satellite channel Investigation Discovery plans to air a special look at Morgan Harrington’s homicide case tonight at 9 p.m. The episode of “Heavy Metal Mystery” will feature the case of the murdered Virginia Tech student tonight at 9 p.m. The show reairs on Sunday, April 24, at 6 p.m. The program will…

Ken Plum: Misplaced blame

Ken Plum

Public employees and unions have been getting a bad rap lately. As tax revenues have declined along with the value of public pension funds, government workers have been getting stuck with part of the blame for our current financial crisis. Local and state budgets have to be reduced to be in balance with revenue, but…

Ken Plum: Casting a red light

Ken Plum

Virginia was one of the first states to use an electric voting machine as a way for legislators to cast their votes without the need to call the name of all 100 delegates and 40 senators and having them “voice vote.” Beginning in 1964 Virginia installed an electric voting board with member names and red…