Earth Talk: Saving energy, money with home automation

Roddy Scheer

Home automation may indeed be the next big trend in what consumers can do today to stand up for the environment. By setting up a wired (or even wireless) system, homeowners can optimize lighting level efficiency, cut heating and cooling energy costs and deactivate energy-consuming devices and appliances even when no one is home.

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Late VMI rally stuns Radford, 70-69

AFP

Stan Okoye scored VMI’s final 16 points, including 13 in the final 1:11, and converted the go-ahead put-back with 3.4 seconds remaining to lead the Keydets to a 70-69 come-from-behind win over the Radford Highlanders, in Big South basketball action Wednesday night at the Dedmon Center in Radford, Va. With the comeback win, the Keydets regain a share of first place in the Big South’s North division.

Poll: Virginians favor gun control laws, doubt their effectiveness

AFP

Virginians favor many gun control regulations while they think that better enforcement of existing laws is more likely to prevent gun violence. And, they do not blame lax gun laws for mass shootings, according to The Roanoke College Poll. The poll interviewed 583 Virginia residents between Jan. 14 and Jan. 22 and has a margin of error of +/-4.1 percent. Residents were asked a series of questions about guns and gun violence.

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UVa. women beat Wake Forest, 69-64

Chris Graham

The UVa. women’s basketball team held off a late rally by the Demon Deacons to earn a 69-64 victory at Wake Forest. After Virginia built up a 19-point lead, Wake, with its pressure defense and three-point shooting, managed to cut the deficit to five points, 65-60, with 34 seconds left in the game, but the Cavaliers’ late free throw shooting along with grabbing an offensive rebound in the final six seconds of the game helped Virginia hold on for the victory.

Creigh Deeds: Redistricting shenanigans

Creigh Deeds

The only thing predictable about a “short” session is that the days will be full and pass by quickly. We are more than a third of the way through the 46 day session and had real fireworks this past week. On Monday, the nation celebrated Martin Luther King Day and the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. Nevertheless, since the Virginia Constitution calls for the General Assembly to be in session, we were hard at work considering bills and resolutions. All legislation has importance to someone, but overshadowing those bills was a tactic involving redistricting that was sprung on the Senate at the close of business on Monday afternoon.

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Recently released Tree ID app can help homeowners, gardeners

AFP

Just what is that strange shrub planted next to your new house? Or what are those trees in the park that are setting off your allergies? A new smartphone app for the Android operating system can help provide some answers. The Virginia Tech Tree ID app combines extensive online forestry fact sheets and photos with a smartphone’s portability and global positioning technology. Users can search for an identifying match or upload a photo and ask a Virginia Tech forestry expert for help.