Report: Coal industry costs Virginians millions

AFP

The coal industry and coal-related activities cost Virginia $22 million more than was paid by these businesses in taxes, fees and other revenue to state coffers in fiscal year 2009, according to a report released Wednesday that is the first analysis of the full financial impact of the coal industry on the Commonwealth. Given the nature and extent of the costs associated with coal, and the relatively small amount of taxes collected from coal companies, it can be expected that the industry imposes a net cost on Virginia taxpayers in most years.

McDonnell announces education agenda

Chris Graham

Joined on Monday by Virginia public school students, teachers, superintendents and parents, Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled his 2012 legislative and budget actions that support his administration’s ongoing “Opportunity to Learn” K-12 education agenda. The actions, to be introduced in the 2012 General Assembly session, focus on raising standards for schools and teachers, reducing mandates on…

Boys & Girls Clubs receives 21st Century Grant from Department of Education

AFP

The Boys & Girls Clubs is pleased to announce it has received a $195,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Education. The Boys & Girls Clubs will use these funds to support the afterschool program for Kate Collins Middle School students at the Waynesboro Boys & Girls Club. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program…

Quake! Virginia hit by 5.8 magnitude temblor

Chris Graham

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake with an epicenter near Mineral in Louisa County was reported on Tuesday, causing tremors as far away as New York, Ohio, and the Carolinas. According to Dr. Alton Dooley, associate curator of paleontology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, this was one of the largest earthquakes in Virginia’s recorded history,…

BC teacher education given model program status

AFP

Bridgewater College’s teacher education program is now ranked as a “model” program by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). Of three Virginia colleges evaluated by the NCTQ, Bridgewater was the only one that received a positive ranking. Bridgewater College was hailed by the NCTQ “for being part of a consortium of universities that jointly…

Virginia Tech adds meteorology degree

AFP

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved a new bachelor of science in meteorology during its quarterly meeting on June 6. The new degree program, which will reside in the College of Natural Resources and Environment’s geography department, will prepare students for careers in meteorology and weather forecasting with a significant focus on geospatial information…