VDOT back in the crosshairs

Chris Graham

The state’s transportation system could benefit from input from local and regional elected leaders and an overhaul in the way the central office of the Virginia Department of Transportation selects and manages projects. Those were key among the recommendations in an audit done by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission presented on Tuesday to…

Project connects students, farmers, developers to design sustainable strategies for Valley

Chris Graham

Local university professors, farmers, businesses, community development leaders, and students are gathering together this spring for a Permaculture Design Certification Course. Organized by New Community Project and hosted at their new Sustainable Living Center at 715 N. Main in Harrisonburg, the course is bringing together people and talents from all different areas of the Valley…

Court ruling blocks efforts to halt EPA greenhouse-gas limits

Chris Graham

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals today denied requests from numerous industry groups and their allies that sought to halt regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency to control greenhouse-gas emissions from vehicles and power plants and other large sources. The EPA rules include an “endangerment” finding, which confirmed that carbon dioxide and other pollutants contributing…

The Valley’s maverick Republican: Hanger gears up for State Senate re-election run

Chris Graham

It hasn’t been that long since the word “maverick” triggered the next drink in the drinking game. John McCain, the original GOP maverick, has since made a hard turn to the far right, judging his political survival to be of more import than his political legacy. The maverick is a dying breed in the Republican…

Obama offshore drilling ban draws bipartisan criticism

Chris Graham

A bipartisan group of Virginia leaders will work to get the Obama administration to reverse its move to block drilling off the coast of Virginia until at least 2017. “As a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we learned a number of lessons, most importantly that we need to proceed with caution and focus…

Valley man finalist in PETA Sexiest Vegetarian contest

Contributors

What do Prince, Sir Paul McCartney, and Christie Brinkley have in common? Besides their enduring star power, they are all sexy vegetarians who just happen to be over 50. Their sizzling example is what inspired PETA to expand its popular series of Sexiest Vegetarian contests to include the over-50 set. After receiving hundreds of entries…

Webb: Congress should end ethanol subsidies

Chris Graham

U.S. Jim Webb, D-Va., today called for an end to costly ethanol subsidies and tariffs. In a bipartisan letter, Sen. Webb and other senators urged Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kent., to eliminate the protections currently manipulating ethanol costs and restricting U.S. trade. The current subsidies and tariffs on domestic…

Singing the Y’s praises

Contributors

For Sherri Mayo, the Waynesboro Y is a caring environment for her 5-year-old son, Cooper, who is enrolled in the pre-K class at the Y. “There is never a day when I take him to his class that I am concerned about his care. I know he is in a learning environment that is structured,…

Kicking the can: City needs to take lead on stormwater improvements

Chris Graham

Waynesboro, as we know, is good at studying problems for years and not doing anything to bring the solutions to fruition. The city technically isn’t doing nothing to resolve its issues with stormwater management, though what is being done is not too far removed from sticking a finger in the floodwall and hoping that holds…