Earth Talk: Sustainable communities and climate protection

Roddy Scheer

Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about global warming even as Washington politicians continue to debate whether or not to mandate emissions cutbacks. In lieu of federal action, some states and municipalities are taking action on their own to reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Tempur Sealy to invest $13.3 million in Virginia expansion

AFP

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that Tempur Sealy International, Inc., the world’s largest bedding provider, will invest $13.3 million in facility development and improvements at its manufacturing operation at Duffield Industrial Park in Scott County. The expansion project will create 42 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against New Mexico for the project.

Ken Plum: Measure of being poor

Ken Plum

I have always maintained that the poor in Northern Virginia are worse off than others living in less affluent parts of the state because the cost of living is higher in this region. The difference can be seen most clearly in the cost of housing; and there have been many notable efforts on the part of local governments to increase the stock of workforce, affordable housing. The traffic coming into Northern Virginia from the west and south is made up largely of people who cannot afford housing in the area.

United Way of Greater Augusta and FamilyWize save locals $1.5M on prescriptions

AFP

Free prescription card distributed by United Way could help even more people if they knew how easy it is to get and use one. United Way of Greater Augusta and the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership have teamed up to make prescriptions more affordable for those without insurance or even those who have insurance that doesn’t cover the medicine.