System failure, human error to blame for state computer outage

Chris Graham

An external audit of events surrounding an August 2010 state computer disruption revealed the cause of the failure as a combination of the failure of a key data storage system and good old-fashioned human error. The audit, released today by the McDonnell administration and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, was critical of Northrup…

Hite kicked upstairs, replaced on staff by Shane Beamer

Chris Graham

Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer announced Monday that longtime assistant Billy Hite has been elevated to a new administrative position as assistant to the head coach and senior advisor, and that Shane Beamer will join the Tech coaching staff and assume Hite’s on-field duties as running backs coach. “Over the years, I’ve had…

Creigh Deeds: Session update

Creigh Deeds

The Virginia General Assembly works as close as is possible to the way representative government was intended. Sessions are short, fast-paced and members, by necessity, have to earn their principal income outside of government. Members of the General Assembly come from all walks of life and must balance family and work with legislative service. It…

Volunteers honored during Girl Scout Annual Meeting

Contributors

Volunteers — the lifeblood of any nonprofit organization — were honored Jan. 29 by Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council during its annual business meeting. Virginia “Jinx” Weary of Trefoil service unit in Roanoke, received the Thanks Badge, the most prestigious award presented to an adult in Girl Scouting. The Thanks Badge recognizes outstanding service…

Ken Plum: Tough choices

Ken Plum

A legislative session is filled with tough choices. Allocating scarce resources in the budget presents difficult choices that have been discussed many times in this column. This legislative session has been presented the choice by the Governor of taking money from the general fund that supports public schools, police, and mental health programs and others…

Students to hold mock Wilson press conference

Contributors

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum will sponsor a student mock press conference on Friday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. in the school forum at Beverley Manor Middle School. Judd Bankert, portraying President Woodrow Wilson, will take questions from 21 Beverley Manor seventh-graders acting as reporters, and student Cole Fainter will portray President Wilson’s…

Richmond named one of the top 10 cities for film

Contributors

Richmond has been named as one of the ten best cities in the country to “live, work and make movies” by MovieMaker Magazine, one of the country’s premier publications for filmmakers. This much-anticipated list of best cities for filmmakers has been published since 2000 and marks the second time that Richmond has received this honor….

McDonnell backs local delegate on balanced-budget amendment

Chris Graham

A resolution proposed by Rockbridge Republican Del. Ben Cline that calls on Congress to pass an amendment to the United States Constitution requiring it to adopt a balanced budget has the support of Gov. Bob McDonnell. “Over the last two years, the federal government has added approximately $3.37 trillion to the national debt, making the…