The Latest

Chris Graham

Friday, Sept. 4 – State News: Alzheimer’s Association working on license plate Thursday, Sept. 3 – Economy: Initial unemployment claims down slightly Wednesday, Sept. 2 – State News: ACLU submits comments opposing proposed anonymous-juror rule – Local News: Free gas cards at Seventh-day Adventist Church Tuesday, Sept. 1 – State News: Lane closures lifted for…

Gene Hart, Greg Marrow and John Lesinski | A(n)other failure of leadership for the Valley

Chris Graham

As veterans in our country’s military service, we each learned about leadership and how to get things done. But rarely, if ever, have we witnessed such a profound failure of leadership as that shown by the Shenandoah Valley’s current delegates at last week’s special session of the General Assembly.

Stimulus funds to boost efforts to convert to propane

Contributors

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine this week announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has appropriated significant funding for the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy’s Paving the Way with Propane: The AutoGas Corridor Development Program. The AutoGas Corridor Development Program is a unique, progressive project aimed at building the infrastructure for public…

Chris DeWald | Impulsiveness and Stroke Survivors

Contributors

According to the American Stroke Association, some survivors experience apathy and don’t seem to care about anything. “People often mistake this for depression because survivors are content to sit and stare at the wall all day.” “The best response is to get them active and moving. Give them a choice of what to do or…

Dukes #6 in preseason coaches poll

Contributors

James Madison University’s football team is ranked sixth in the preseason Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll. The Dukes are coming off a 12-2 record in 2008 and were the nation’s top-ranked team for most of the season and the No. 1 seed for the NCAA playoffs. JMU won last season’s Colonial Athletic Association title with…

Five Dukes named to College Sporting News All-America team

Contributors

Five James Madison University football players have been named to the College Sporting News’ 2009 preseason Football Championship Subdivision All-America team. Senior cornerback Scotty McGee (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) was named to the first team as a return specialist; junior offensive tackle Theo Sherman (Danville, Va./Chatham) and senior defensive tackle Sam Daniels (Portsmouth, Va./Woodrow Wilson)…

Staunton firefighters to aid MDA

Contributors

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local #3468 in Staunton will be on the intersection of Richmond Road and Greenville Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 2 for the first day of the annual Fill-the-Boot fundraising campaign in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Staunton Fill-the-Boot will continue until Friday. Sept. 4.

Stinging rebuke to local GOP lawmakers

Chris Graham

How about that ringing endorsement of 25th District Republican Del. Steve Landes’ effort to inject partisan politics into the special session of the Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday? The Republican-majority House of Delegates voted 82-7 to limit the legislation to come before the session to the matter at hand cited by Gov. Tim Kaine in…

Kaine details budget shortfall

Chris Graham

It’s official – the state is enduring another budget shortfall. “I directed executive agencies in July to prepare budget reduction plans at the 5, 10 and 15 percent levels so that we can make decisions promptly. I began review of these plans last month and will be prepared to announce and implement decisions in early…