News 2008-06-15 Andanh.com

Mark Warner is out as VP contender Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:36:38 -0500
Former Gov. Mark R. Warner has taken himself out of consideration as a vice presidential candidate next to Sen. Barack Obama. Warner broke the news to party activists at the Democratic state convention Saturday. "I have not sought and I will not accept any other opportunity," he said. That leaves Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Sen. Jim Webb as the other potential vice presidential candidates from Virginia. Kaine told the Daily Press on Friday that he has not been approached by Obama's VP vetting team.

This just in, from the right. Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:36:17 -0500
Del. Jeff Frederick did not attend the Democratic state convention -- probably a good idea, since he's the new chairman of the state Republican Party and wouldn't find much in common with the throng here in Hampton. But Frederick, who lives in Northern Virginia, talked to the Daily Press in advance of this weekend's gathering, and for the record, he'snot buying this Virginia-is-a-battleground theory. The true test will come in September and October, when the race really heats up, he said. He expects the thousands of military veterans in Virginia to go big for Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. Frederick acknowledges that Sen. Barack Obama has energized many people, but he says the Democrat's support is thin. "The hope message, it will...

Obama isn't here, but he promises he'll be back ... Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:24:04 -0500
Sen. Barack Obama didn't make it to the Democratic state convention, but he sent along a video message and promised he'll come back to visit us. "Don't take this as a sign that we won't be spending a lot of time with you," he said. "Virginia needs change. This country needs change. I will be back to see you very, very soon."

The Democratic Convention, by the numbers .. Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:01:53 -0500
Just a few tidbits we have picked up along the way... 2,500: the number of delegates expected at this convention. less than 2,500: the number who are actually here. Just my guess, but did gas prices keep some people away from the outlying districts? 33: the age of Glenn Nye, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd District $50: the admission price to the Virginia Democrats Unity Celebration

Heard of Jon Bowerbank? Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:54:30 -0500
The Democrat is running for lieutenant governor in 2009, and his signs have popped up around the Hampton Roads Convention Center at the state Democratic Convention. The Shad Plank caught up with Bowerbank during a break in the floor action on Saturday. He tells us that his family moved from England to the United States when he was 11 years old. Now he runs an energy services company in Southwest Virginia and sits on the board of supervisors in Russell County. He describes himself as a "progressive pragmatist" who wants to solve problems. He's not a shoo-in for the nomination just yet. That will be hashed out next spring in advance of the November 2009 elections. Check out his web site here.

Is Glenn Nye getting traction? Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:46:30 -0500
The Cook Political Report recently changed its ranking of the congressional race in the 2nd District from "Solid Republican" to "Leans Republican." That's good news for Democrat Glenn Nye, who is trying to unseat Rep. Thelma Drake, R-Norfolk. Nye received a rousing reception Saturday at the state Democratic Convention in Hampton. Afterwards, he told Shad Plank that he's happy to be running in this particular year. "People are ready for a change in the district," he said. "They're ready for someone to bring practical problem-solving and independent leadership to the district and to Congress." David Wasserman, House editor of the Cook Report, said Nye's chances are improved by presumptive presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama and senatorial candidate Mark R. Warner. With those two men, the...

As Southwest Virginia goes .... Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:30:58 -0500
Sen. Barack Obama visited Bristol, Va., after effectively clinching the Democratic nomination for president. That looks like a pretty good call. The contingent of Southwest Virginians from the "FIghting NInth" Congressional District offered some real insight into the idea that Virginia is in play for Democrats this year. The Ninth is/was Hillary Clinton Country. If that area starts swinging Obama's way, it signals that he is finally winning over Clinton supporters and beginning to heal the rifts from the long primary season. "Some people will switch to Obama," said one delegate who didn't want to give her name. "But some people I know refuse to because of how Hillary was treated. We were really for Hillary and it hurt a lot of women." Others from...

It's convention time for real in Hampton. Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:18:05 -0500
Democratic delegates are pouring into the Hampton Roads Convention Center for the Virginia Democratic Convention that was supposed to start five minutes ago. Do these things ever start on time? Don't expect much suspense today, but we'll be listening closely to the comments of our three candidates for vice president: Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, Sen. Jim Webb and former Gov. Mark R. Warner, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat. All three have been mentioned as possible running mates to Sen. Barack Obama even though they have other day jobs and/or aspirations for other office. Also scheduled to speak are two candiates for governor in 2009: Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria and Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County.

The saga of a Clinton superdelegate. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:58:13 -0500
Del. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake, entered the Embassy Suites around 10 p.m., looking as dapper as ever. Spruill is an avid backer of Sen. Hillary Clinton. He appeared with the New York Senator onstage June 3rd, after the primary season ended with elections in Montana and South Dakota. Clinton personally asked him to be there. Two days later -- with no doubt as to the delegate math -- he announced he was supporting Sen. Barack Obama. That Saturday, Clinton conceded and endorsed Obama as well. It marked the end of the long and arduous process for Spruill, who was lobbied heavily to change his vote once an Obama victory seemed inevitable. He held out to the end. And he's making no apologies. "I gave her my...

Obama in Hampton? Looks unlikely. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:33:12 -0500
Despite our hopes, it looks like Sen. Barack Obama will not make a surprise appearance in at the Democratc Convention tomorrow. Herad it from a couple of folks who should know. Obama is in the neighborhood (OK, he's in Pennsylvania) but no one is expecting a sighting here in Hampton.

Petition circulates to bring back Wooten Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
C athy Beal, who works at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, is leading a campaign to bring the fantastically talented Victor Wooten back to Newport News.

Peninsula is becoming a hotbed of summer theater Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Y ou've been reading a lot about theater companies in our arts pages of late because there's a lot happening. The Peninsula is shaping up to be a welcoming place for all kinds of theater in the summer.

Cutting garden is easier than you think Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
M ixed flower bouquets by Lisa Ziegler and sister Suzanne Frye are some of the prettiest centerpieces you can get for a summertime table.

Obama couldn't make Democratic convention, promises to come back Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
S en. Barack Obama never made it to the Democratic state convention in Hampton, but he sent along a video message and promised to return.

Politics just a day job for Sen. Webb Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Va. senator has done better with his books than Sen. Warner has done with his paintings.

For Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, a best-selling author and producer, the U.S. Senate is just a day job.

Where is he? Holding out hope he'll be here Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
With a state convention in Hampton, Sen. Barack Obama will spend this morning in Philadelphia.

So much for the Peninsula Obama-watch.

Va. Beach pilot dies in Navy jet crash in Nevada Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A Virginia Beach-based fighter pilot was killed Friday when his jet collided with another during a routine training mission in Nevada.

Man, 50, who died from heat had only desk fan Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A Newport News man is one of seven people to die in Virginia during the recent heat wave.

— The third-floor bedroom that Charles Lynnelle Bailey rented didn't have a window air conditioner, just a small desk fan.

Virginia Democrats united but hope to heal rifts Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Their long presidential primary season over, Democrats are anticipating a stress-free weekend at their meeting.

Virginia Democrats kick off their state convention in Hampton today, but don't expect any late-ballot cliffhangers, testy exchanges or finger pointing.

Kecoughtan High School graduates 411 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Gratitude and high spirits mark the graduation of Kecoughtan's record-setting class of 2008.

Stuart Speth surveyed his Kecoughtan High School peers as they sat before him in green and white gowns and matching mortarboards in the Hampton Coliseum Thursday.

Tips to enjoy your graduate's ceremony Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Planning to go to a graduation? Check for tickets and dress codes.

With the familiar strains of Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" Thursday night, Kecoughtan High School kicked off graduation weekend for more than two dozen local public high schools.

WTKR weather: Early stages of hurricane season Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:16:00 -0400
We are nearly two weeks into the Atlantic hurricane season and have had just one named storm so far, Tropical Storm Arthur.

Va. saw less trash flow in from other states in '07 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The amount of out-of-state trash flowing into Virginia dropped in 2007 by about 2 percent, while the amount of in-state garbage declined by 9 percent, according to a new state report.

New beginnings for graduates Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
"It's time for us to go out into the world and be heard," the salutatorian tells classmates.

As the Smithfield High School Class of 2008 walked across the stage in their blue and white, each step signaled a new beginning for the graduates.

Local & region news briefs Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Police are looking for two suspects who took a welding machine, an impact wrench and various other wrenches from a contracting company.

Nansemond River grads urged to commit like bluebirds Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Valedictorian Elizabeth Riley tells fellow classmates to embrace the experiences of life.

A sea of red and black caps and gowns flooded the gymnasium at Nansemond River High School on Saturday as graduates, family and friends celebrated the school's 2008 commencement.

Dismal Swamp fire appears to be slowing Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The fire — the largest to break out at the swamp — has destroyed about 1,000 acres.

At the Great Dismal Swamp, there was a glimmer of hope.

Suffolk man loses trailer after drug bust plea Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A 24-year-old pleads guilty in a large-scale marijuana-growing operation.

A Suffolk man will lose the mobile home he used for a large-scale marijuana-growing operation after he pleaded guilty to a drug charge Thursday.

News now Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Children can ride a fire truck, use fire hoses, watch a drug-detection dog in action and eat lunch with firefighters during Suffolk's Fire and Life Safety Camp.

Meeting for owners of damaged firms Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Owners of tornado-damaged businesses are invited to a meeting Tuesday with Suffolk's Department of Economic Development and the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads.

Another rabies case confirmed in Isle of Wight Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:01:00 -0400
The county's fifth confirmed rabies case was discovered in a raccoon in the Brewer's Neck Boulevard area.

Fifth case of rabies confirmed in raccoon Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The county's fifth confirmed rabies case was discovered in a raccoon in the Brewer's Neck Boulevard area.

Lafayette High rams roar during rousing send-off Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Lafayette High's valedectorian says that the party is over but a new one is beginning.

As they took their seats in the arena at William and Mary Hall, Lafayette High School's blue-and-white-clad graduates-to-be resembled a teeming, churning ocean.

His walk across stage is no easy task Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
One graduate, whose broken leg once put his life at risk, receives thunderous applause.

Toby Robinson Jr. needed the help of a cane to cross the stage at William and Mary Hall on Saturday to accept his diploma as one of the 351 members of Jamestown High School's class of 2008.

Small class has surplus of 'luck' Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The schools superintendent tells the graduates that hard work leads to more luck.

Bruton High School salutatorian Michael Saha stood in front of his classmates and asked them to stand up if they had never made a mistake.

Summer school to be held at Warhill High Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Summer school for high school students in Williamsburg and James City County will be held at Warhill High School.

100 new citizens to take oath at CW Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
At 9 a.m. today, 100 new citizens will take the oath of citizenship at Colonial Williamsburg. The Flag Day Naturalization Ceremony will be held outdoors on Courthouse Green in the Historic Area.

Clean Comedy Night in Williamsburg this weekend Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:13:00 -0400
This month's Clean Comedy Night at the Kimball Theatre in Williamsburg will be held on Saturday night.

Williamsburg and JCC summer school to be held at Warhill High School Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:38:00 -0400
Summer school for high school students in Williamsburg and James City County will be held at Warhill High School.

Judge: Deaf-mute still can't stand trial Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A six-month delay was ordered so an accused killer and rapist can learn sign language.

— A deaf-mute man facing capital murder charges in James City County can communicate with his lawyers, but only at the level of a young child, his lawyer said in court Thursday.

Class of 2008: Bruton High School Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Elias Paul Abdallah

Murder trial of deaf-mute man postponed again Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:20:00 -0400
The capital murder trial of a deaf-mute man was postponed for the fourth time Thursday to give the defendant more time to learn to communicate with his attorneys.

Gloucester seniors rode 'magic carpet' to graduation Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
"Every laugh, every cry, every experience and every loss are the threads," the valedictorian says.

It was standing-room-only Saturday in the field house at Christopher Newport University's Freeman Center, but it wasn't for a sporting event. Instead, the room was packed with family, friends and other supporters of the Gloucester High School Class of 2008.

A packed house for Mathews High Class of 2008 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:08:00 -0400
The auditorium is standing-room only, so some watch commencement on a screen in the gym.

At first, it sounded as if Mathews High School valedictorian Jacob Vrooman badly misspoke during his commencement speech Saturday when he called Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi "selfish."

Middlesex High senior class president: 'Smile because it happened' Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:09:00 -0400
Commencement speakers advise graduates on life and wish for happiness.

What do Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Henry David Thoreau, Abraham Lincoln and Gen. Robert E. Lee have in common?

Altemus won't elaborate on planning panel vote Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Two supervisors stonewalled in front of a reporter when asked to discuss Eric Weisel's reappointment.

Supervisor Teresa Altemus said Thursday night she voted not to reappoint Eric Weisel to the Gloucester County Planning Commission because of "differing philosophical views."

Seafood plant caught up in legal web Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Lender says it was defrauded. A family member says the sale became a 'big mess.'

A Washington-area lending company is alleging it was defrauded out of more than $1 million by the owners of a Gloucester seafood plant.

Schools close early due to air conditioning problems Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:06:00 -0400
Peasley Middle School in Gloucester will close at noon today because the school's air-conditioning system is broken. School officials took the step of canceling half the school day after learning the system couldn't be repaired Tuesday.

Some don't want a Belgian Bud Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Two U.S. senators and two Web sites criticize a European firm's bid for the brewer of Budweiser.

More than any other beer, Budweiser is an American icon: Its Clydesdales are fixtures of Super Bowl ads, and even the label is red, white and blue — with an eagle swooping through the "A" for "Anheuser-Busch."

Changes to your Business section Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
You might have noticed that a few of your favorite business features have moved. Here's where you can find them:

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