News 2008-05-19 Andanh.com

Join the editor's morning meeting Mon, 19 May 2008 16:46:49 -0500
Just a reminder: Join Daily Press political editor Dave Hendrickson live online at 9 tomorrow morning. Got a question? A comment? An idea? Here's your chance to help decide what goes into the newspaper.

Why does it feel like October already? Mon, 19 May 2008 15:27:51 -0500
Republicans on Monday celebrated the opening of their Virginia Victory '08 Headquarters up in Arlington. It will serve as a "nerve center" for the campaign of Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, plus whomever the GOP picks to...

Jim Webb on America Mon, 19 May 2008 16:56:38 -0500
In his new book, Virginia Sen. Jim Webb describes an America that lacks a coherent national security strategy while bogged down in a war that should never have been fought. It is a country, he says, where the economic disparities...

Gilmore campaign rumbles through the weekend Mon, 19 May 2008 13:48:03 -0500
Judging by the tenor of the posts lined up in my queue this morning, it seems that Jim Gilmore continued to piss off Republicans over the weekend. The Marshall-backing Black Velvet Bruce Li topped its report on the 8th, 10th...

A town hall meeting in Newport News Mon, 19 May 2008 09:08:50 -0500
Peninsula residents who want to talk about transportation or other state issues are invited to a town hall meeting this Wednesday in Newport News. Hosting will be Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, and Del. Mamye BaCote, D-Newport News. Transportation Secretary Pierce...

Tick, tick, tick: Pests' strength is growing fast Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Officials and exterminators have received more calls than usual about the insects.

If you've enjoyed a weekend of outdoor fun, you might want to check for any unwelcome guests that tagged along.

CNU graduates more than 800 Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
"We are expecting a lot out of you," Gov. Timothy M. Kaine says.

They formed a river of black robes topped with smiling faces as they headed toward Pomoco Stadium behind two kilt-clad bagpipers.

IW supervisors approve salary increase for themselves Mon, 19 May 2008 16:07:00 -0400
Isle of Wight supervisors approved a pay hike but haven't made a final decision on whether they're entitled to health benefits.

Isle of Wight confirms fourth case of rabies this year Mon, 19 May 2008 11:00:00 -0400
The county's fourth case of rabies was confirmed last week in a raccoon.

Group protests Suffolk failure to honor Confederates Mon, 19 May 2008 06:42:00 -0400
A Suffolk group is protesting that the city mayor didn't proclaim April as Confederate History and Heritage Month.

Board member says schools can be better at maximizing dollars Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
If you attend an Isle of Wight County School Board meeting and it lasts until 10:30 p.m., you can probably thank — or shake your fist at — board member Herb De Groft.

Struggling youths improve with the sounds of music Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
An alternative program at Suffolk's King's Fork Middle teaches students more than just notes.

Students in Barbara Edwards' class at King's Fork Middle School were trying to expand their repertoire Friday, from three notes to four. But high-C wasn't coming so easily.

Couple's garage and motor home destroyed in fire Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Using garden hoses, neighbors attempt to prevent the blaze from spreading.

Ron Henderson said he wished he was home Sunday afternoon, when a fire erupted in his motor home and spread to his garage.

Colonial Williamsburg wins award for computer game Mon, 19 May 2008 00:33:00 -0400
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has won a Gold "MUSE" Award from the American Association of Museums for the design of a computer role-playing game included in new DVD/CD ROM set called "A Day in the Life."

Another county department head leaves post Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Mark Westfall had led the Emergency Services office since it was established in 2004.

Emergency Services Coordinator Mark Westfall has resigned his position, becoming the latest in a growing list of Gloucester department heads to exit the county.

Sub New Mexico passes construction milestone Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Virginia-class sub's four hull sections were recently joined together to form a single, air-tight unit.

The next nuclear-powered submarine Northrop Grumman Corp. will deliver to the U.S. Navy passed a key construction milestone Sunday, when workers completed the final hull welds on the New Mexico.

Va. to hold regional mortgage clinics Mon, 19 May 2008 00:27:00 -0400
Virginia officials are holding a series of regional mortgage clinics to help residents avoid home foreclosure.

Warning of major aftershock sparks panic in China Mon, 19 May 2008 23:10:00 -0400
A government warning of a major aftershock sent thousands of panicked survivors running into the darkened streets Monday night following an unprecedented display of mourning for more than 34,000 people killed in a powerful earthquake one week ago.

Obama to reach delegate milestone Tuesday Mon, 19 May 2008 23:09:00 -0400
Barack Obama will reach a significant milestone Tuesday as he marches toward the Democratic nomination for president -- a majority of pledged delegates at stake in all the primaries and caucuses.

Texas sect parents complain of vague custody plans Mon, 19 May 2008 23:18:00 -0400
Children from a polygamist sect were the only subjects on the docket Monday at a west Texas courthouse where five judges began handling hundreds of hearings that attorneys for the children's parents decried for their cookie-cutter approach.

Venezuela protests alleged US plane incursion Mon, 19 May 2008 21:02:00 -0400
Venezuela wants the U.S. ambassador to explain a violation of its airspace by a U.S. Navy plane, the country's foreign minister said Monday.

Today's Regional Mystery Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Q : How much does the Virginia State Police spend on gasoline in a year?

Pastor charged with robbing Dollar General store Mon, 19 May 2008 07:08:00 -0400
A Luray area pastor will appear in a Shenandoah County court today on charges he robbed a dollar store at gunpoint this month.

Bear sighted near VCU campus Mon, 19 May 2008 10:17:00 -0400
Another black bear sighting has been reported in the Richmond area.

14 tons of spilled Oreo cookies snarl Ill. traffic Mon, 19 May 2008 09:37:00 -0400
Got milk?

Woman dancing on bar sets customer on fire in Miami-Dade Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A woman dancing on a bar accidentally set a man on fire early Sunday after noticing her foot was in flames, Miami-Dade Fire-Rescue said.

Truckers uniting for a fairer deal Sun, 18 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Short-haul drivers say fuel costs and other factors have pushed their pay below minimum wage.

Paul Yurkovac put 125,000 miles on his big rig in 2007, mostly lugging cargo containers to and from the Port of Hampton Roads.

Sara Wirtala Sun, 18 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Christopher Newport University's Sara Wirtala had the highest grade point average in her class and was recognized at the CNU's Commencement Exercises for her achievement.

May 19: Feedback from newspaper readers Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Hampton: I enjoyed the important and interesting article "Group warns historic sites are in danger" on Page A4 Wednesday. I was disappointed, however, that you did not include the entire list of endangered Virginia sites. I am sure many of your readers with broader and more heightened interests in Virginia's history and historical sites would have appreciated reading and learning about all of the threatened sites. Not all of your readers have computers for obtaining more information on all of the endangered sites.

Park bullies Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Smithfield's option of seizing Windsor Castle should be off the table

The Smithfield Town Council isn't listening. Despite some good advice to detour, the council is continuing down a very wrong path. It's the path at the end of which they seize a citizen's private property just because they want it, not because they need it.

Budget 'cuts' Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
When it comes to school funding, less may mean more

"Cutting the school budget." Those are words bound to rile up people who understand how important public education is to a community.

Farmers markets Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
More reasons to eat locally

It's been a long time since it has been possible to gauge the season from a visit to the produce department in a grocery store. As fruits and vegetables are shipped from all over the world and storage techniques improve, strawberries are available in January, asparagus in October and corn almost all year round. (By nature's design, these crops emerge locally in May, February and mid-summer, respectively.)

Disaster aid Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Virginia wants to be rescued from a situation it created

Along the Chesapeake Bay, talk of a fishery disaster is all about a blue creature with a shell and legs, the blue crab. Out on the West Coast, it's about one that's silvery and finned, the Chinook salmon.

Tearful trip to final for Denbigh Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Second-year varsity coach Ashley Via emotional after the Patriots sweat out the final seconds to earn a regional spot.

Second-year varsity coach Ashley Via emotional after the Patriots earn a regional spot in her fifth year with the team. Also, Gloucester's Shelly Milks scores three goals and the Dukes shut out Kecoughtan 3-0 in the other PD semifinal.

They'll battle again Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Bethel and Hampton advance to set up a rematch of 12-inning thriller for the PD title.

Ten days earlier, Bethel lost to Hampton by a run in the bottom of the 12th inning in a game that decided the Peninsula District regular-season title.

Kecoughtan freshman delivers Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Sarah Beasley's RBI double boosts Warriors as top seeds win in the PD softball semifinals.

— Kecoughtan had worked hard, with execution and even a little bit of trickery, to get those four runs. And just like that, the Warriors had given them back and found themselves in a tie game.

Spring of state success Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
V irginia Tech softball coach Scot Thomas normally doesn't put much stock in omens. You trust your preparation, and you either make plays or you don't.

Tech pulls scholarship from troubled recruit Mon, 19 May 2008 13:39:00 -0400
Virginia Tech has withdrawn its football scholarship offer to Peter Rose, according to a release Monday from the school's athletic department.

CNU's Cole named national D-III men's tennis coach of year Mon, 19 May 2008 14:43:00 -0400
The Phoebus High graduate helped the Captains to a breakthrough season.

Christopher Newport men's tennis coach Rush Cole was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's national Division III coach of the year.

Painter picks Florida over Virginia, others Mon, 19 May 2008 13:48:00 -0400
After taking an unofficial visit to Florida this past weekend, Boo Williams Summer League's 6-foot-9 center DeShawn Painter gave the Gators a verbal commitment, BWSL coach Boo Williams said.

Gymnast fourth at Junior Olympic Nationals Mon, 19 May 2008 20:39:00 -0400
Sarah Gillespie of World Class Gymnastics came through with her best all-around score of the season, 38.025, but still finished fourth out of 58 competitors at the Junior Olympic Nationals in Kissimee, Fla., on Saturday and Sunday.

Star Track: Justin Hollingsworth Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Justin Hollingsworth of Poquoson has played an instrumental role in leading the Chowan University baseball team to a 34-18 record and the No. 3 seeding in this week's 10-team National Christian College Athletic Association World Series at Geneva College in Struthers, Ohio. He was named the NCCAA's all-South Region catcher and has played in all but one game and started all but two this season. The 5-foot-9, 230-pound senior is hitting .385 (60-for-155) with two home runs, 51 RBI, 30 runs and 10 doubles. He has walked 39 times and struck out only 15, leading to a team-best on-base percentage of .510. He has handled 240 fielding chances — including 208 putouts — without an error. The Hawks have won 10 of their last 11 games, including four in a row to come from the losers' bracket and win the NCCAA South Regional in Franklin Springs, Ga. They beat host Emmanuel twice in the championship round May 10 to return to the NCCAA World Series for the first time since 2005, when they finished fifth. This year's team, which plays sixth-seeded Bethel College at 11 a.m. Wednesday, has set the school victory record. It also includes Brandon Hamlett (Poquoson), Jordan Whitlatch (Denbigh), Nate Mitchell (Grafton) and Rob Weaver (Hampton Christian). Last season, Hollingsworth hit .312 (53-for-170) and started all 52 games, often at first base. He had one home run, 30 RBI, 28 runs, eight doubles and two triples. He walked 30 times and struck out 17, and he stole five bases in seven tries. As a sophomore, Hollingsworth batted .383 for a 25-20 team that went 2-2 in the South Regional, amassing 35 runs, six doubles, two homers and 25 RBI. Hollingsworth graduated from Poquoson High, where he was an honor-roll student and a key player for the Islanders in baseball. In 2003 and '04, he was a second-team Daily Press All-Stars catcher. He also was an all-Bay Rivers District offensive lineman in football in 2003, when Poquoson won the Region I Division 3 championship and reached the state semifinals.

Tech pulls scholarship offer to Rose - roanoke.com Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer today withdrew the scholarship offer of quarterback Peter Rose after the Amherst County senior was arrested Friday at school on drug charges.

Roanoke police investigate stabbing - roanoke.com Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One

VDOT: No date set for I-73 construction - roanoke.com Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT
The state agency debunked a statement issued by a business organization last week.

State road officials said today they do not have a construction date for Interstate 73 in Virginia, countering a report by a large business organization Friday that work on the proposed highway will begin in 2011.

Cigarette sparks small fire at Corned Beef & Co. - roanoke.com Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Firefighters extinguish a small fire near the sign of Corned Beef & Co. just as the lunch rush hit downtown Roanoke Monday.

Photo by Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times

Virginia Tech enrolls largest freshman class - roanoke.com Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Virginia Tech will likely enroll its largest freshman class ever this August, based on figures released by the school today.

The university received deposits from 5,601 freshmen by the May 1 deadline, an increase of nearly 400 from last year. The incoming freshmen come from Tech’s largest-ever applicant pool. For the second consecutive year, Tech will not admit any students on its wait list.

Is change of signs right for times? - roanoke.com Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Q: I noticed that VDOT [the Virginia Department of Transportation] recently put up new signs over Peters Creek Road near the southbound ramp for Interstate 581. The old signs that were taken down appeared to be a little smaller than the new signs, but there did not appear to be anything wrong with the old signs. Because I frequently hear about VDOT funding shortages, I cannot help but ask if it was necessary to replace those signs, and how much did it cost the taxpayers?

Campbell garage opens in downtown Roanoke today - roanoke.com Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT
After about 11 months and $7 million, the downtown garage is ready for business.

Roanoke city officials will cut the ribbon today on the new, 353-space Campbell garage.

Rates for the new garage are $65 per month, or $1 per half-hour with a $6 daily maximum and $2 after 4 p.m.

Special Olympics softball teams slug it out - roanoke.com Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT
People with different abilities shared the softball field.

Thirty teams from all over the state gathered Saturday in Bedford for a two-day Special Olympics softball tournament -- and the rain Sunday afternoon didn't stop them from playing out their games.

"We've had some wet award ceremonies out on the field," said Tina Andes, director of Special Olympics for central Virginia. The players didn't seem to mind lining up in the rain to get their medals and ribbons, she said.

1 2 3 4 5 6 Next

Chinese Dir