News 2008-05-22 Andanh.com

Talk to the DP political editor Thursday morning Wed, 21 May 2008 15:59:55 -0500
Daily Press state editor Dave Hendrickson starts his day with live-blogging here at The Shad Plank. If you have comments, questions or suggestions, here's you chance to make sure you're heard. On Thursday, look for Dave's Morning Call about 11.

Del. Purkey is prepping for a catfight... Wed, 21 May 2008 14:58:52 -0500
How would you pay to improve the transportation system in Hampton Roads? ( surveys) Del. Harry B. "Bob" Purkey was the keynote speaker at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club Wednesday afternoon as business leaders and port officials gathered to celebrate National Transportation Week with the Hampton Roads Foreign Commerce Club. Purkey, R-Virginia Beach, predicted a tough scrum in Richmond in late June during the special session on transportation. “Neither political party is effectively united,” said Purkey, chairman of the powerful House Finance Committee. “When we open our special transportation session we’re going to have a catfight. But we know...

Welcome to Alaska. Fill it up, please. Wed, 21 May 2008 14:12:34 -0500
An interesting story in Stateline.org, which you can read here, talks about how states are dealing with the shortage of highway funds. Yes, things are tough all over. "Nearly every state is facing shortfalls in transportation funding, while the federal gas tax -- a primary source for state transportation project money -- has remained stagnant since 1993," writes Daniel Petty. The story mentions Gov. Tim Kaine's plan to raise the sales tax on motor vehicles and registration fees. Only two states have recently boosted the gas tax. One was Minnesota, which needed to raise money after the I-35 bridge collapse....

Lawmakers honor Laura Bateman Wed, 21 May 2008 11:29:59 -0500
The General Assembly approved a joint resolution this year, honoring the life of Laura Bateman. Last night, at the Newport News Republican City Committee meeting, Dels. Brenda Pogge, Phil Hamilton and Glenn Oder presented the citation. Pictured from left are Tom Cosgrove, the legislative assistant for Sen. Tommy Norment, Pogge, Hamilton, Laura and Bert Bateman, and Oder.

Cantor to GOP colleagues: Don't become "Pelosi-lite" Wed, 21 May 2008 10:53:06 -0500
U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor followed up on Jim Gilmore's dissing of President Bush (see yesterday's post) in an interview published in yesterday's Washington Times. "The public looks at the Bush administration... as a time in which the government did not fix any problems," Cantor is quoted as saying. Gilmore, who is tying his campaign to the fortunes of GOP presidential candidate John McCain, is trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and the White House. Cantor seems to be following suit, but also warns his Republican colleagues against taking centrist positions that could be labeled "Pelosi-lite."

Gilmore says energy is top issue in Senate race. What do you think? Wed, 21 May 2008 14:26:52 -0500
lt;a href =quot;http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/628214/quot; gt;What is the most important issue in the race for U.S. Senate in Virginia?lt;/agt;nbsp; lt;br/gt; lt;span style=quot;font-size:9px;quot;gt; (lt;a href =quot;http://www.polldaddy.comquot;gt;nbsp; surveyslt;/agt;)lt;/spangt; Former Gov. Jim Gilmore said at the Eastern Coal Council Conference and Exposition yesterday that energy is the number one issue in the U.S. Senate race. (Here's a report from the Kingsport News-Times.) (As you all know, Gilmore and Del. Bob Marshall are seeking the GOP nomination to run against former Gov. Mark Warner in November for the seat now held by the retiring Sen. John Warner.) So what do you think? Is energy the top...

Talk to the editor Wed, 21 May 2008 09:42:34 -0500

Finding a treasure too great to keep Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A Dozier seventh-grader used whitepages.com to track the owner of a class ring.

— Dozier Middle School student Joshua Velazquez keeps most of what he finds with his metal detector. He even wears the faux diamond earring he found at Yorktown Beach.

Groups team up for aid, clean water Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Their letter praised congressional delegations from Virginia and Maryland for their efforts to help the states' crabbers.

Watermen and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, who have at times been more adversaries than friends, have joined together to push for financial relief for crabbers.

Kennedy won't return to Senate this week Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is not expected back at work in the Senate this week, his office said Monday as doctors searched for the cause of a weekend seizure that sent the 76-year-old lawmaker to the hospital.

IW schools offering reward for information on bus vandals Wed, 21 May 2008 14:04:00 -0400
Isle of Wight County Schools is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for puncturing the tires on 18 of the county's school buses earlier this month..

Historic church torn down today Wed, 21 May 2008 08:32:00 -0400
A historic church that has stood for more than 120 years was torn down this morning in Zuni to make room for a new sanctuary that will be built on the same spot.

Money missing from Smithfield church's coffers Wed, 21 May 2008 10:56:00 -0400
Someone dipped into a Smithfield church's coffers, prompting an police investigation.

Man guilty of inadequate care of dogs Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
All but 33 of the nearly 150 charges were dropped in the plea agreement.

A man found with more than 100 dogs on his Suffolk property has been barred from owning more than five pets at a time for the rest of his life.

Photos help her make peace Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
From Mississippi to Suffolk, Virginia emergency management worker Patricia Chappell has recorded personal devastation.

They're hard to spot among the dozens of pictures of mangled trees, upside-down cars and shredded homes that fill up Patricia Chappell's camera.

Smithfield Music concert series returns June 3 Tue, 20 May 2008 18:23:00 -0400
Country, folk and blues sounds will return to the shores of the Pagan River with a new set of Smithfield Music concerts scheduled to begin next month.

Storm closes roads, knocks down power lines Tue, 20 May 2008 16:59:00 -0400
Suffolk officials are cleaning up after this afternoon's storm, which closed roads, knocked down utility lines, and shut off traffic lights.

Proposed budget 2008-09: Smithfield Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Smithfield's finance committee proposed an $11,554,609 operating and capital budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The budget is up from this year's $7,972,377 budget because of a $5 million donation to acquire the land around Windsor Castle to make it a park. The budget does not increase the real estate tax rate of 16 cents for every $100 of assessed value, but that could change once the town receives a final report on the county's 2008 reassessment.

Teacher raises cut from 4.5 to 4 percent in budget crunch Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A student services job and other likely cuts were weighed above concerns over teacher morale.

James City and Williamsburg teachers will suffer the consequences of a last-minute budget crunch put on school officials by county supervisors.

Man who flipped car in Williamsburg charged with DUI Tue, 20 May 2008 17:44:00 -0400
A 20-year-old James City County man has been charged with driving under the influence and underage possession of alcohol after he flipped his car into an embankment early Monday in front of the Colonial Williamsburg visitor's center, according to Williamsburg police.

Barge plan could ease I-64 truck traffic Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A state-funded study is looking into the feasibility of a transfer port on the Pamunkey River.

Seeking to capitalize on growing trade projected at Virginia's ports, New Kent County is considering adding a terminal on the Pamunkey River that would handle international cargo from barges to and from ports in Hampton Roads.

Public can comment on schools budget tonight Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Drastic cuts were required by a reduction in funding from county supervisors.

The public will have a chance tonight to weigh in on drastic cuts to the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools proposed budget, a reality forced by decreased funding from county supervisors.

Woman gets 7½ years for attempted murder, arson Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Karen F. Barnett says she didn't want to kill, just to send "a message."

In the early morning hours of Nov. 11, Karen F. Barnett poured kerosene next to the bed where her husband was sleeping, dropped a lit wick onto the puddle and left the bedroom.

Gloucester to keep own 911 dispatch Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
What happens in Gloucester is going to stay in Gloucester.

Americans dining out in the garden Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
High produce and gas prices have boosted sales of vegetable seeds, tomato transplants and fruit trees.

High produce and gas prices have boosted sales of vegetable seeds, tomato transplants and fruit trees.

HU president inducted into business hall of fame Wed, 21 May 2008 16:28:00 -0400
Hampton University President William R. Harvey was inducted into the Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame on May 15. The black-tie dinner and awards ceremony was held at the Norfolk Marriott, with proceeds benefiting the Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads.

Watch for three giant cranes arriving by ship Friday Wed, 21 May 2008 15:57:00 -0400
Keep your eyes on the Hampton Roads sky on Friday.

Job cuts, closings continue for Ferguson Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Its parent company expects "further cost reduction and business improvement actions" through the end of July.

Newport News-based Ferguson Enterprises cut another 200 jobs and closed 75 branches in the United States in May as the housing downturn continued to affect the nation.

New facility targets vascular health Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Sentara Advanced Vascular Treatment Center offers laser treatment of varicose veins and diagnostic testing.

— A new center on the Peninsula is dedicated to keeping residents' veins healthy.

Gulf nations rise on oil boom Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Countries benefiting from oil wealth are investing in industry, but it might not be enough for future stability.

Gulf countries swimming in oil wealth are using the money to build huge industrial cities and gleaming financial centers to sustain them when the wells run dry.

Used cooking oil stolen to brew biodiesel Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
More people are taking the oil in an effort to avoid paying for fuel, says the owner of a grease hauling business.

A few years ago, drums of used french fry grease were only of interest to a small network of underground biofuel brewers, who would use the slimy oil to power their souped-up antique Mercedes.

Stocks drop on oil, spending concerns Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Outside of food and energy, prices went up double what analysts expected.

Wall Street stumbled Tuesday after oil prices spiked to a new record above $129 a barrel and a government report raised investors' concerns about the impact of inflation on consumer spending.

Netflix upgrades streaming service Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Preparing for the eventual extinction of its DVD-by-mail rental service, Netflix on Tuesday introduced its first solution for subscribers who want entertainment delivered directly to their TVs with just a few clicks on a remote control.

Home Depot faces challenges Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Home Depot doesn't know if stimulus checks are enough to improve its fortunes this year, the company said Tuesday as it reported a 66 percent drop in first-quarter profit.

Obama inching ever closer to nomination Wed, 21 May 2008 13:33:00 -0400
Close to securing the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama is lavishing attention on Florida and its wreckage of a presidential primary while minding his manners with Hillary Rodham Clinton -- a rival he now can afford to praise.

Scientists witness start of star's explosive death Wed, 21 May 2008 13:36:00 -0400
In a stroke of cosmic luck, astronomers for the first time witnessed the start of one of the universe's most fiery events: the end of a star's life as it exploded into a supernova.

Commute threatens jobs for southeast teens Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
F or all the bad news blowing from the southeast community, there's good news, too, even if it doesn't make headlines.

Today's Regional Mystery Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Q : Teens will be on summer vacation soon, some looking for summer jobs. What are the work guidelines for minors?

Lost parrot tells veterinarian his address Wed, 21 May 2008 14:47:00 -0400
When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught -- recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.

Parents may be shocked at drug, alcohol survey results Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The survey of students at Poquoson High "is going to open a lot of eyes," one police officer said.

Teenage drug and alcohol use is more rampant in the city of Poquoson than most parents might think.

Earth, Wind & Fire coming to Harbor Center Wed, 21 May 2008 06:46:00 -0400
The legendary R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire will return to the Harbor Center in Portsmouth for a concert on July 17, the venue announced on Tuesday.

Latin recipe: chicken and rice tastes great Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A rroz con Pollo is a staple of the Latino diet.

Ruby James lost over 110 pounds by watching what she ate Tue, 20 May 2008 17:28:46 -0400
In April 2005, Ruby James of Newport News went to the hospital emergency room because she felt really ill.

Hampton school for deaf, blind closing in June Wed, 21 May 2008 17:50:00 -0400
The Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind and Multi-Disabled in Hampton will close at the end of June, clearing the path to consolidate the state's two schools for students with visual and hearing impairments.

May 21: Feedback from newspaper readers Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Typhoon pride Margaret T .: Just want to say kudos to Dave Fairbank for a great article in Sports section on Sunday about Lefty Driesell and the Newport News High School class of 1958. The article about NNHS made any graduate of NNHS proud. Go Typhoons.

May 20: Feedback from newspaper readers Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Sunie, Smithfield: I spoke to someone on Monday at the Daily Press and asked him why the Brooks & Dunn concert at the Verizon Amphitheater wasn't covered. They told me that it wasn't covered because it was in Virginia Beach. Wednesday, I open the paper and I see an article about the concert that was held May 11 by Kanye West, rap artist. My question why did you tell me something like that?

Free speech Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Civility should rule, but don't gag citizens' speech to government

A citizen was gagged in Hampton a couple of weeks ago, so quickly few observers probably knew what was going on. In James City County, the possibility of gags was discussed, but, rightly, came to nothing.

IW supervisors Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A pay raise for the board, and then some

Apparently times are good in Isle of Wight County. Last week's vote by the five members of the Board of Supervisors to raise their own pay by 50 percent, give or take, didn't cause a ripple among residents. At the public hearing on the issue, no one voiced objection.

Exit Wilder Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Playing always against type, Doug Wilder was predictably surprising

One of Virginia's most storied, inspiring, though often frustrating political careers, looks to be coming to an end. L. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor, let it be known on Friday that one term as mayor of Richmond will be sufficient.

The payoff Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Skip subsidies. This economic development pays off: Preschool

You have to pay to play. That's the way it is in the high-stakes game of economic development: If a city, county or state wants to lure (or keep) a desirable employer, it may have to put up money, big money. Subsidies soar, but nobody will be the first to disarm in this economic development war.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next

Chinese Dir