ACC announces scheduling plans

AFP

Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford announced on Friday the future scheduling formats as approved by the ACC’s Faculty Athletic Representatives and Athletics Directors. The announcement was made following the annual ACC Winter Meetings and will go in effect once Pittsburgh and Syracuse become playing members in the conference. “We have been engaged in discussions…

House Dems step up rhetoric on education funding

Chris Graham

Members of the House Democratic Caucus are vowing to protect school funding in the budget prior to next month’s vote. Education remains a point of contention in Gov. McDonnell’s 2012 biennium, with the overwhelming majority of new money going into Virginia’s retirement system instead of into the classroom. Del. Ken Plum (D-Fairfax) spoke on Monday…

Report: Wine industry contributes $747M to state economy

AFP

A newly released economic impact study shows that Virginia’s burgeoning wine industry contributes $747 million annually to Virginia’s economy, an increase of 106 percent over the figures from the last economic impact study conducted in 2005. All major economic drivers examined in the comprehensive study showed significant double-digit percentage growth. “The Virginia wine industry has…

Advance investing $8M in new center in Roanoke

AFP

Advance Auto Parts Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, batteries, accessories, and maintenance items, will add a Financial Services Commercial Customer Care Center to its operation and corporate headquarters in the City of Roanoke and will invest $8 million to support this expansion, as well as other growth. Financial Services will manage the…

Eminent-domain legislation clears hurdle

AFP

A state constitutional amendment to protect private property rights is one step closer to getting on November’s ballot. Tuesday, the Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee voted 13-2 in favor of SJ 3 and sent the bill to the full Senate floor. The legislation tightens the definition of public use and requires just compensation for…

Waynesboro PD honors officers for jobs well done

Chris Graham

The Waynesboro Police Department held its fourth-quarter awards presentation on Thursday. Police Chief Michael D. Wilhelm presented 6 awards, including naming Sgt. David F. Shaw the 2011 Officer of the Year. Shaw was honored for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the department throughout the year. Most notably, Shaw completely revamped the department’s Field Training…

Debate over jobs numbers

Chris Graham

The jobs situation seems to continue to be getting better, with Friday’s announcement that unemployment fell two-tenths of a percent in January, to 8.3 percent. But it’s not getting better fast enough, says Fifth District Republican Congressman Robert Hurt. “A drop in the national unemployment average is always good news. However, the jobless rate remains…

Federal agency moving forward with offshore wind energy plan

AFP

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced on Thursday that it is moving forward with the next step in offshore wind energy development off the Virginia coast. The BOEM is publishing the call for information and nominations aimed at industry interest in locations off the Virginia coast for commercial wind energy leases. The call is…

Warner proposals on transit safety, development incorporated into Senate bill

Chris Graham

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle in passing legislation out of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs to make improvements to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s public transportation programs. The legislation included new safety standards championed by Sen. Warner in the wake of a fatal…