State agency issues warning on solicitations

Contributors

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Consumer Affairs cautions the public that an organization by the name “Veteran’s Miracle Network” of Stafford, Va., has solicited contributions from Virginia citizens for allegedly charitable purposes. The organization might also go by the names “Project Foot” and “Operation Walk America.” As of Dec. 14,…

McDonnell touts $100M additional investment in education in new state budget

Contributors

Surrounded by students, legislators, business leaders, and presidents of public and private colleges and universities statewide, Gov. Bob McDonnell today announced his proposed new higher education funding package which includes $100 million per year to prepare Virginians for top jobs, boost job-creating research and innovation, make college degrees more affordable for students, and advance toward…

Analyst: Cuccinelli lead in GOP race no surprise

Chris Graham

It shouldn’t be a surprise to see Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli with a solid early lead in the polls looking at the 2013 Republican gubernatorial nomination race. The attorney general’s office “provides more of an outlet for somebody who wants to move up and provides a lot of opportunities to get in the news, the…

Staunton, Waynesboro earn Tree City status

Contributors

Ceremonies celebrating Tree City USA took place in 57 communities across Virginia on Monday, including in Staunton and Waynesboro. The towns, cities and military installations that have achieved Tree City USA certification satisfy guidelines from the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees are much more than a pretty face,” said Barbara White, urban and community forester with…

Margot Dorfman: Big business tax holidays are bad for small business, bad for America

Contributors

If small business owners decided to stop paying our fair share of taxes, we’d be sent to jail. Big business tax dodgers want Congress to reward them with a tax holiday. The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes legislation in Congress that would reward U.S. multinational corporations with massive, unwarranted tax discounts to bring…

Rockbridge YMCA, Maury River Senior Center to trade classes

Contributors

Just in time for the New Year’s resolutions that we Baby Boomers will soon be making, the Rockbridge Area YMCA and Maury River Senior Center plan to offer classes at each other’s site. Designed for older adults, “Move It or Lose It” and “Breakfast for Your Brain” will focus on maintaining and improving muscles and…

Warner introduces bills pushing tech start-ups

Chris Graham

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would update regulatory and tax policies to encourage entrepreneurs and innovators to launch new companies, creating jobs and broadening economic opportunities. Today’s initiative builds upon bipartisan legislation Senator Warner introduced last week that is designed to make it easier for growing companies to access…

Bridgewater seniors seek entrepreneurial projects

Contributors

Small businesses with big entrepreneurial plans sometimes can’t reach their goals due to limited creative manpower.  That’s where a special service-learning project at Bridgewater College hopes to make a difference. Twenty seniors in an entrepreneurship course want to form working partnerships with five Harrisonburg and Rockingham County small businesses or non-profits for the spring 2012…

Signature Homes of Staunton open for Holiday Home Tour

Contributors

For 39 years, Historic Staunton Foundation has hosted a look into Staunton’s historic homes during the holiday season. This year, the public is once again invited for a spectacular holiday-themed tour of five significant period homes that exemplify imaginative period design. “This year’s tour is unusual because it will feature five historic homes that are…