Campaign finance: GOP incumbents report cash totals

Chris Graham

A look at campaign-finance numbers for the upcoming 2011 Virginia General Assembly elections shows long-time Republican State Sen. Emmett Hanger in the best money position among local incumbents. Hanger reported $98,448 in cash on hand as of March 31, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Hanger, R-Mount Solon, has a proven ability to raise…

ACLU sues Richmond over parade costs

AFP

The ACLU of Virginia today filed a request in federal court on behalf of activists in Richmond for an injunction ordering the Richmond Police to allow them to hold a May Day parade without having to pay for off-duty police officers. “Nowhere in the city code does it say that Richmond police have the authority…

Ken Plum: A frugal, well-run government

Ken Plum

A slick postcard mailed by the Republican Party of Virginia arrived in the mailboxes of many voters in my district last week just as many people were completing their tax forms. In the standard Republican charge against Democrats, the card text read that I wanted “to take even more” of my constituents’ tax money. The…

#1 UVa. rolls to 12-0 win at Radford

Chris Graham

The top-ranked Virginia baseball team scored eight runs in the first two innings and never looked back in coasting to a 12-0 victory over Radford Tuesday evening at RU Baseball Stadium in Radford, Va. With the shutout win the Cavaliers broke the ACC single-season record for shutouts with their 12th shutout of the year; the…

Regan leaving UVa.

Chris Graham

Virginia men’s head basketball coach Tony Bennett announced on Tuesday that freshman forward Will Regan (Williamsville, N.Y.) is leaving the Cavaliers’ program. “We wish Will the best,” Bennett said. “He expressed a desire to be closer to home and find a situation that he felt suited him better. Transfers are an increasing part of college…

Augusta Health repeats top showing in safety, clinical excellence ratings

Chris Graham

For the second year, Augusta Health has been recognized as the only hospital in Virginia to be named a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades and also to receive the HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award. Augusta Health placed among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for clinical performance—only 268 hospitals of the nearly 5,000…

Tiller receives RMH 2011 Golden Stethoscope Award

AFP

K. Ellissa Tiller, MD, medical director of RMH Hospice and Palliative Care, has been named recipient of the third annual RMH Golden Stethoscope Award. The award recognizes an outstanding physician on the RMH Medical Staff who demonstrates excellence in patient care, customer service, communication and teamwork Dr Tiller received the award during the General Medical…

McDonnell announces state tax relief granted for victims of severe storms

AFP

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that those affected by the severe storms that struck Virginia on April 8 and April 16 will be granted a 30-day extension for filing returns and making payments on their state taxes. This extension will apply to taxpayers located in the cities of Charlottesville and Waynesboro, and in the following…

McDonnell signs transportation-funding legislation

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law on Monday what backers are terming the most significant investment in the Commonwealth’s transportation system in a generation. The legislation, HB2527 and SB1446, sponsored by Speaker Bill Howell (R-Stafford) and State Sens. Chuck Colgan (D-Manassas) and William Wampler (R-Bristol), creates a framework to invest nearly $4 billion into Virginia’s…

McDonnell launches teacher performance-pay initiative

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell has invited 57 school divisions that may have difficulty attracting, retaining and rewarding experienced, fully licensed teachers to participate in his Virginia Performance-Pay Incentives initiative for hard-to-staff schools. The initiative — which was approved by the 2011 General Assembly — is a centerpiece of McDonnell’s “Opportunity to Learn” education-reform agenda. It provides…