Staunton, Waynesboro earn Tree City status

AFP

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…

House Dems call for government reform, budget transparency

AFP

Today, the House Democratic Caucus’ newly installed Minority Leader David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville), Caucus Chair Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax), and House Democratic leaders from across the Commonwealth released the House Democratic Caucus’ agenda on Government Reform and Budget Transparency for the 2012 Session. Constituents in Virginia have called for a state government that works more efficiently…

UVa. has sold 13K tickets to Chick-fil-A Bowl

Chris Graham

Tickets remain from Virginia’s allotment for the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl. Seating for all remaining tickets will be assigned at the time of purchase in sections 301-317.  Tickets are priced at $80 each. As of Saturday morning, 13,213 tickets have been sold for the Dec. 31 contest in Atlanta against defending national champion Auburn. Virginia’s allotment…

Children’s Choir invited to sing at the White House

AFP

The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir has been invited to sing at the White House Christmas Tours on Dec. 21, according to Yvette Peake, choir manager. The acclaimed children’s choir, now in its twentieth year, had applied for the honor in April 2011. “We were thrilled to get this invitation in mid-November and had almost given…

Webb, Warner push Senate to reject efforts to balance budget on backs of federal workers

AFP

U.S. Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) are urging Majority Leader Harry Reid to “reject any proposals that call for pay freezes or other forms of compensation reduction for federal workers, or significant reductions in the federal workforce” to offset the tax extenders that need to be passed by the end of…

Hurt comments on House passage of farm-dust legislation

Chris Graham

Congressman Robert Hurt (R-VA) released the following statement after the House voted Thursday to approve the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act (H.R. 1633), a bipartisan bill that he co-authored with Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD). H.R. 1633 was passed the House by a vote of 268-150 and will now be reported to the Senate: “I am…

Shenandoah Valley Art Center plans busy December

AFP

Leslie Banta, award-winning artist from Staunton, will be the featured artist in the Invitational Gallery at the Art Center during the month of December. Banta feels that her paintings explore landscape as an archetypal image. The goal of this exploration is not to render a photorealistic replica of a Shenandoah Valley vista, but rather to…

McDonnell outlines roads plan

Chris Graham

Speaking to more than 700 hundred industry and transportation agency professionals during the 2011 Governor’s Transportation Conference in Norfolk, Gov. Bob McDonnell today outlined his transportation policy and funding plans for the upcoming 2012 General Assembly Session. The governor called for changes in laws governing the allocation of future surpluses to transportation, dedicating portions of…

McDonnell announces tourism marketing grants

AFP

Gov. Bob McDonnell today announced the Virginia Tourism Corporation will award $635,000 in matching grant funds to 35 local tourism initiatives as part of the VTC Marketing Leverage Grant program. Among the initiatives winning grants were four originating in our local area. – SVTA Outdoor Recreation and Family Travel Marketing Campaign (New Market, Staunton, Harrisonburg,…