News 2008-06-21 Andanh.com

Democratic grassroots kickoff in Newport News Saturday... Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:28:18 -0500
In case the television commercials starring Barack Obama and John McCain looping on local channels wasn't enough, we're getting more evidence that Virginia is an important battleground state this November. Democrats are taking to the streets first to back the the Mark R. Warner and Obama ticket with a kickoff on Saturday. Democratic staffers are going to launch the grassroots campaign in 25 different locations around the commonwealth, including door knocking in Virginia Beach and Newport News. Hampton Roads and especially the Peninsula are going to be targeted this summer and fall, according to Jared Leopold, the communications director for the Virginia Victory 2008, the campaign arm of the state Democratic Party. "It's cleary a key area," Leopold said.

The days ahead Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:52:58 -0500
Here's what's coming up in The Shad Plank and the Daily Press over the next few days. In Sunday's paper, look for Kimball Payne's advance story on Monday's special General Assembly session on transportation. Here's a snippet: For years, transportation problems have flummoxed state lawmakers, who have tried to pass the issue onto voters via referendum, attempted handing the responsibility to local officials with regional taxing authorities, and been called into special session before. Will they succeed this time? Over the weekend, take a minute to share your opinion in the poll below on what you think they will, or will not, get accomplished. Then join me here Monday morning for Dave's Morning Call ... my morning online chat. Nothing to download, no registration required....

Surveillance bill wins House approval Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:25:13 -0500
The House today approved a compromise version of surveillance legislation that would extend the federal government's ability to eavesdrop on terrorism suspects who make phone calls into or out of the United States. In a highly controversial provision, the measure also shields telecommunications companies from privacy lawsuits. Phone companies face lawsuits from customers alleging privacy violations when companies helped the government conduct a spying program without court warrants after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The House approved the bill on a vote of 293 to 129. Nearly all Republicans voted for it, while Democrats were about evenly divided. Among Virginia lawmakers, all Republicans voted for the bill. ``Our families will be safer because our intelligence agencies will once again be allowed to listen to terrorists...

Voting for war Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:12:24 -0500
President Bush won a major victory Thursday night when the Democratic-controlled House approved $162 billion to continue funding the Iraq war through the summer of 2009 without any requirement to withdraw troops. Democrats were about equally divided over the measure, while Repulbicans united to give Bush the money he had been requesting for months. The war spending bill, which now goes to the Senate, cleared the House by a margin of 268 to 155. In the Virginia delegation, all Republicans supported the funding. ``Today's winners are our military men and women and their families," said Rep. Thelma Drake, R-Norfolk, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. ``Although it was my hope that this bill would pass months ago in a bipartisan fashion and the...

Hypocrisy, Washington style Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:02:29 -0500
When a new deal was reached to approve Virginia Sen. Jim Webb's GI bill this week, all the principled objections to the measure suddenly melted away. The about-face was breathtaking on Thursday night, as the House approved Webb's bill with other domestic spending items on an overwhelming vote of 416 to 12. To the casual observer, the lopsided margin might suggest the GI bill-- giving war veterans a free college education-- was never controversial. In fact, the bill had languished for over a year and faced vehement opposition. Conservative House Democrats, known as the Blue Dogs, insisted that any major new entitlement program-- including veterans' benefits-- must be paid for, either by raising taxes or making offsetting spending cuts in other programs. Webb had provided...

With numbers like these, who needs enemies? Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:38:31 -0500
Politico.com has a story up now about the latest Gallup Poll, which found that only 12 percent of Americans say have confidence in Congress, the lowest number in the 35 years that Gallup has been asking the question. President Bush, the poll found, has the confidence of just 26 percent of the respondents. The Supreme Court, 32 percent. Numbers like these are past sad -- they're closing in on frightening. So let me just toss out a question: What's the cause?

Interesting viewing this weekend Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:44:12 -0500
Political junkies should set their schedules for some interesting television programs over the weekend, that should help them get ready for special session on transportation. Full disclosure - this is a shameless plug - on Friday night I will be on "What Matters" on WHRO - Channel 15 at 8:30 p.m. - and rebroadcast at 10:30 p.m. - with Cathy Lewis and Virginian Pilot reporter Harry Minium, who covers Norfolk City Hall. Nothing like wearing makeup for a discussion in HD - yikes. Then on Sunday morning - Dels. Tom Gear, R-Hampton, G.Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, and Kenneth Melvin, D-Portsmouth are scheduled to be part of a roundtable to be broadcast at 11:30 a.m. - "On the Record" with Joel Rubin on WVEC-TV Channel 13....

Let's talk! Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:22:49 -0500
Good morning, all. I'm the state editor at the Daily Press ... and I'm here for my Morning Call -- a bit of online chat. Grab a cup of coffee, and come on by. I'll be online till about 10.

Chat with the editor Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:56:28 -0500
Join Daily Press state and politics editor Dave Hendrickson for an online chat Friday morning at 9:30. Find out what our reporters are working on for the weekend and the special transportation session on Monday. Ask questions. Offer suggestions. Nothing to download and no registration required. Just tune in to The Shad Plank.

And the anti-taxers prep for the special session too... Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:06:03 -0500
Del. Brenda Pogge, R-York, and Del. Ben Cline, R- Rockbridge, are going to be joining an anti-tax protest at the Capitol on Monday with members of Americans for Prosperity as lawmakers return to the General Assembly. The grassroots group has been shadowing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine during the spring as he has jumped around the state trying to whip up support for his transportation plan. It's no surprise that the AFP are showing up in Richmond, they were the folks in Virginia Beach at Kaine's townhall sporting the "No Kaine Tax Hike" signs and buttons. This special session is shaping up to be an interesting show. To check out AFP click here.

Kids can enjoy candy show at Air & Space Center Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
— Candy lovers of all ages — but especially sugar-devoted kids — are invited to celebrate their sweet tooths Saturday in a mouth-watering festival of games and activities at the Virginia Air & Space Center.

The right plants don't mind the hot weather Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
H ot summer days don't have to ruin your yard. Think day lilies, native plants and ornamental onions to perk it all up.

Late Marine loved the beach Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Lance Cpl. Kelly Watters of Virginia Beach was wounded May 23 north of Fallujah, Iraq. He died June 11.

The 19-year-old Marine was a sun worshiper.

Man gets shot, crashes car into grocery store Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:36:00 -0400
A Smithfield man died early this morning after suffering a gunshot wound and subsequently crashing his car into a grocery store.

Larry the Cable Guy to perform in Norfolk Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:41:00 -0400
The popular southern comedian Larry the Cable Guy will perform his stand-up routine at Chrysler Hall on Oct. 18.

Webb urges fresh look at the war on drugs Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The senator says billions spent on locking people up hasn't reduced the flow of drugs.

Virginia Sen. Jim Webb began building a public case Thursday to change the nation's drug laws to stress treatment over incarceration for nonviolent offenders.

When will we breathe easier? Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
No, your neighbor isn't just burning leaves again. Fires have burned 41,000 and 2,800 acres, respectively, in the Pocosin Lakes and Great Dismal Swamp national wildlife refuges. The Pocosin Lakes fire in North Carolina started June 1, sparked by lightning. A mishap with a piece of logging equipment started the Great Dismal Swamp fire June 9. Hence, it's been a little smoky.

Author, illustrator with ties to area dies at age 92 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:53:00 -0400
Tasha Tudor, a children's book illustrator and author whose delicate and dreamy artwork was featured in about 80 books, including a 1944 edition of "Mother Goose" that was so successful it enabled her to buy a farm and create a lifestyle rooted in the early 19th century, has died. She was 92.

Red Cross: Give blood, win a car Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
There's less than a one-day supply of three types of blood, and other types are at critical levels.

The local region of the American Red Cross is hoping that a convertible giveaway will help bring in donors and raise the levels of dangerously low blood supplies.

Police seize $33,000 in counterfeit goods Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
— Suffolk Police's Special Investigations Unit seized more than $33,000 in counterfeit goods Thursday from Official Street Gear, a business on West Washington Street.

Police: Missing woman 'may be a danger to herself' Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:17:00 -0400
Police are looking for a 55-year-old Suffolk woman who disappeared from her home this morning and who could be endangered.

New indecent liberties charges for Yorktown man Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:32:00 -0400
A Yorktown man, already charged with trying to hire someone to assault his ex-girlfriend, now faces charges of taking indecent liberties with a child.

Man dead after being shot, crashing car Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The death of the 29-year-old resident on Friday is Isle of Wight's first homicide of 2008.

Two men exchanged words Thursday. When they met again later, one of them ended up with gunshot wound.

Prosecutors: no death penalty in police death Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
CHESAPEAKE Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case of Ryan Frederick, the Chesapeake man preparing to stand trial in the shooting death of police detective Jarrod Shivers.

No death penalty for man accused of killing officer Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
CHESAPEAKE — The special prosecutor appointed to pursue the murder case against a Chesapeake man charged with killing a police officer said Thursday he will not seek the death penalty.

News now Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Isle of Wight County Schools offices and school buildings will be closed Fridays throughout the summer.

Assault-for-hire suspect faces sexual charges involving child Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A Yorktown man, charged last month with trying to hire someone to assault his former girlfriend, now faces charges of taking indecent liberties with a child.

Judge rules W&M must name 20 music-downloading students Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A university spokesman says the school will release the information when it receives a subpoena.

The Recording Industry Association of America can get the names of 20 College of William and Mary students whom it's suing for downloading and sharing copyrighted music files, a federal judge ruled Friday.

Williamsburg market to hold mystery basket cook-off Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:18:00 -0400
The Williamsburg Farmers Market celebrates its sixth anniversary with the Virginia Chefs' Association's annual demonstration Saturday, July 5 from 8 a.m. to noon. Chefs from the Williamsburg area will participate in the four-hour cook-off.

Young Busch Gardens employee faces charges Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
JAMES CITY A Busch Gardens employee is charged with destruction of property after police say he shot out several automobile windows Thursday night in the amusement park's parking lot.

Busch Gardens employee charged in vandalism Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:00:00 -0400
A Busch Gardens employee is charged with destruction of property after police say he shot out several automobile windows Thursday night in the amusement park's parking lot.

350th led to preservation boost Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Jamestown's 350th anniversary was not only a huge tourism boost for Virginia but also a strong impetus for the preservation of public sites in the Historic Triangle.

Residents might appeal cell towers decision Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Kingsmill opponents agree reception is spotty but don't want the "monopines."

A group of Kingsmill residents say they're likely to appeal a review board's decision this week to allow two 120-foot cell towers to be built on property adjacent to the upscale subdivision.

School Board delays decision on alternative education Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Members want time to review a plan that would send some students to a Newport News program.

The Williamsburg-James City County School Board has delayed a decision on whether to revamp the area's alternative education program, with board members asking for more time to examine the proposed changes.

Water, sewer bills might be delayed Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The James City Service Authority's customers might receive delayed water and sewer bills as a result of the upgrades to the authority's billing system.

Illegal left turn just became a little easier Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Wishing for an illegal turn? Gloucester's supervisors will make the way.

For years drivers ambled southbound on Main Street and were able to make a left turn into an abandoned Texaco gas station that still has a popular self-serve car wash in operation.

Dealers hopeful on stalled SUV sales Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Local dealerships aren't giving up on SUVs just yet, saying that soon people will get used to gas prices.

Local dealerships aren't giving up on SUVs just yet, saying that soon people will get used to gas prices.

TowneBank to be included in Russell index Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
TowneBank will be added to the Russell 3000 Index when the list of companies is adjusted June 27.

Your money Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
With gas heading for $5 a gallon, parents who hoped to take their families on a road trip this summer might have thought that it was out of the question.

U.S. can put tariffs on Chinese steel pipes Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
U.S. steel pipe manufacturers, who have been battling a surge in imports from China, won a big victory Friday: The International Trade Commission cleared the way for the imposition of stiff penalty tariffs for the next five years.

7,000 firms that store chemicals to be deemed high-risk targets Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The federal government will tell 7,000 businesses next week that they are considered high-risk terrorist targets because they house large amounts of chemicals.

River rises again, renewing worries in Mo. towns Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:38:00 -0400
Amid the battle to hold back the swollen Mississippi River, some towns in northwest Missouri and Illinois got an unwelcome surprise Saturday as river levels rose higher than projected.

House OKs Webb's GI bill as part of 2-party deal Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Webb's bill, which President Bush has said he won't veto, is expected to cost $62.8 billion over the next 11 years.

In a major victory for Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, the House passed an expanded version of his GI bill Thursday night to give returning war veterans a free college education as part of a bipartisan deal that won approval from President Bush.

Obama raps McCain on flood prevention programs Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:32:00 -0400
With communities in the Midwest still under water, Democrat Barack Obama on Saturday criticized Republican John McCain for opposing federal spending on flood prevention programs and opened a new debate in the White House race.

Sen. Warner renews ocean-drilling push Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Republican's measure is co-sponsored by Democrat Jim Webb.

Battle shapes up over future of US role in Iraq Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:25:00 -0400
The decisive battle of the Iraq war is shaping up -- not in the streets of Baghdad but in the halls of government where the future of America's role across the region is on the line.

Calif. firefighters gain ground fast-moving blaze Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:54:00 -0400
A Northern California wildfire was 90 percent contained Saturday after forcing thousands to evacuate, destroying several homes and closing a six-mile stretch of scenic Highway 1, fire officials said.

US energy chief: Low oil production drives price Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:16:00 -0400
The U.S. energy secretary said Saturday that insufficient oil production, not financial speculation, was driving soaring crude prices.

Naomi sorry for assault, but still mad at airline Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:42:00 -0400
Model Naomi Campbell says she is sorry she assaulted two police officers during a dispute about lost luggage aboard a British Airways plane. But she has refused to apologize to the airline, accusing it of racism.

Marines claim some gains in southern Afghan town Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:24:00 -0400
U.S. Marines are trading gunfire and artillery shells with Taliban militants in the volatile southern province of Helmand, the world's largest poppy growing region.

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