Appeals court upholds health-care law

AFP

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled that the Commonwealth of Virginia lacks standing to challenge the individual mandate portion of the health-care reform passed by Congress in 2010. The ruling is not expected to be the end to the case brought by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. It is anticipated that the challenge…

Independent to challenge county revenue commissioner

AFP

Following the Labor Day holiday, Virginia businesswoman Susan K. Kubany announced her candidacy for Augusta County Commissioner of Revenue, challenging 16-year incumbent Jean Shrewsbury. “If not now, when? If not me, who?” Kubany said. “I’ve thought about giving back to the community for a long time. Today, I’m doing it.” Kubany believes that the Commissioner…

Ken Plum: Protecting the health of women

Ken Plum

Virginia is in the process of adopting 26 pages of new regulations for health clinics that perform first-term abortions.  The General Assembly in a bill that I voted against mandated the regulations be issued without public comment as emergency regulations to become effective January 1, 2012.  Currently the 22 clinics that are now regulated as…

Scott German: Cavaliers head to Big 10 country

Scott German

The Virginia Cavalier football team appears to be on a roll. Recruiting is solid, the return of a true home field advantage with a rowdy Scott Stadium crowd, an impressive opening game win over in-state foe William & Mary. Now things begin to get interesting. A two-game road trip that starts Saturday night in Bloomington…

BC alum signed to NFL practice squad

AFP

Less than a week after getting released by the San Francisco 49ers, Bridgewater College All-American wide receiver Tyler Beiler landed across the country on the practice squad for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Beiler was one of seven players signed to head coach Jack Del Rio’s practice squad after the team made the final cut to 53…

Retired pastor releases first children’s book

AFP

James M. “Jerry” John will sign copies of his first book, Grandpa’s Little White Truck, on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 1-3 p.m. at Bookworks in Downtown Staunton. Grandpa’s Little White Truck is a touching story for children about learning to look past the surface to see what lies underneath, related through the ‘character’ of the…

UNC rolls JMU

AFP

James Madison football spotted North Carolina an early 21-0 lead, and eventually fell to the hosts 42-10 in the season opener for both squads, Sept. 3. Madison falls to 0-2 all-time against the Tar Heels. JMU began the game slowly, allowing UNC to score on three of its first four possessions. UNC sophomore quarterback Bryn…

Gas prices peaking?

Chris Graham

Hurricane Irene has come and gone and American drivers are saying “good riddance.” The Labor Day holiday weekend marks the official end of summer vacation and driving season and the transition to winter gasoline blends., which could have an impact on gasoline prices this fall. This weekend,approximately 27.3 million Americans, including 776,900 Virginia residents, plan…

State cracking down on drunk driving

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell today kicked-off Virginia’s 10th annual Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign – a statewide law enforcement and public awareness effort to detect and deter impaired drivers in the Commonwealth. As part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s regional campaign, the Governor announced that drunk drivers on Virginia roadways will face the likelihood of arrest…