News 2008-06-24 Andanh.com

Senate Finance Committe at 9 a.m. is where the action is... Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:42:59 -0500
Folks looking to track the transportation action in Richmond ought to turn their eyes to Tuesday mornings 9 a.m. meeting of the Senate Finance Committee. This panel holds the purse strings and they are going to be the first lawmakers to vote on any plans during this special session on transportation. The committee met on Monday, but just to have various proposal outlined before them. On Tuesday, Chariman Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Manassas, told members to expect to vote. Colgan is pitching a plan that would link the state's 17.5-cent to the comsumer price index over 10 years - which Colgan says would raise the gas tax to the neighborhood of 30-cents a gallon. It's certainly a tough sell with driver's paying $4 a gallon for...

Webb's Big Moment Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:33:04 -0500
Virginia Sen. Jim Webb's Big Moment on the national political stage could come this week. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to take up a bill financing the Iraq war that includes Webb's signature initaitive: a new GI Bill giving war veterans a free college education. Passage of the bill, which appears likely, would mark a major coup for the freshman Democrat, who has pushed for a GI bill since joining the Senate last year. And it would come at a time of furious speculation in Washington that Webb could be a potential running mate for Democratic Sen. Barack Obama. While Obama represents hope and change to many voters, he doesn't represent experience. And if polls are any guide, many independent voters are reserving judgment on...

And the House is done for the day... Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:52:22 -0500
So the House of Delegates has adjourned for the day, and they'll be back in tomorrow at 11 a.m. So far, House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, has not assigned any of the transportation bills to committee yet, so it's unclear when the transportation debate in that chamber is going to get underway. Howell said lawmakers could expect committee meetings to start either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, Senators barely spoke at all today on the floor but the Senate Finance Committee is set to start going through some of the transportation proposals this afternoon. That means people will get some of the meat of what will be debated here - but you probably won't see any real movement until later in the week....

Clear lines on transportation in Richmond... Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:31:35 -0500
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine made his case for transportation investment in front of both chambers of the General Assembly. "Working families already struggling with the price of gas feel frustrations rise when a short commute turns into hours of stop and go traffic, while gas burns out of their tanks," Kaine said. Kaine laid out the case for his plan in the early afternoon echoing the comments he has made around the state over the past few months during a series of townhall meetings about transportation troubles. And he got a standing ovation. But that's where the agreement ended as Del. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights, and Del. W. "Bill" Janis, R-Henrico, immediately pounced on the governor, calling his speech a beefed up call for raising...

And they're off... Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:25:00 -0500
The General Assembly special session on transportation is underway in Richmond and lawmakers hit the ground running with an agreement - on the rules. Other than that - don't expect too much too fast. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is expected to address lawmakers with a speech at 1 p.m. and you can bet he's going to hit on some of the same themes that we've been hearing about during his townhall tour this spring. Kaine wants the public to realize that there are "problem solvers" and "problem avoiders" - but legislators can't even really agree on what the problems are right now. Full disclosure - I packed a bag but haven't booked a hotel room for the night. Whispers abound that we'll be here for...

Business groups ratchet up transportation lobbying effort Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:51:45 -0500
Update: This video was being circulated last week. With the General Assembly convening in a couple of hours, I thought I'd bring it back up to the top of the blog for those of you who haven't had a chance to see it yet. ''' The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is again urging its members to lobby the General Assembly to do something about transportation, and in advance of Monday's special session has begun touting a video and Web site called "Beat the Gridlock." The focus is on D.C. and Hampton Roads, and the economic benefits that Dulles International Airport and the Port of Virginia bring to the entire state. The message, according to the chamber, is simple: "New transportation funding is needed to...

Good morning, and let's chat! Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:42:22 -0500

Exhibit is strikingly fresh Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
T ry to remember the last time you saw nearly 90 pieces of local sculpture in a single show and you'll understand why the latest exhibit at the Charles H. Taylor Art Center feels so fresh and exciting.

Antigua museum helped inspire West Point author Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A visit to a museum on the island of Antigua helped inspire West Point author Mary Montague Sikes' third novel in her Passenger to Paradise series, "Secrets by the Sea" (Oak Tree Press, $12.95).

Will flood zones hit you in wallet? Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Hundreds of York County homeowners will soon find themselves for the first time shelling out extra for flood insurance as a new set of FEMA flood-risk maps goes into effect.

Firefighters gain ground on wildfire Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
If you could see through the haze of smoke Sunday morning, then you were in the minority.

Obama seeks to curb energy speculation Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Sen. Barack Obama rolled out a proposal Sunday to curb speculation in energy markets, which his advisers said would help stabilize soaring gas prices.

Small-town life awaits Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Only an hour and a half away, the Eastern Shore offers historic sites, good restaurants and another side of Virginia culture

T hough the Eastern Shore is getting more crowded, it still beckons as a relaxing day trip or weekend getaway. Leave congested Hampton Roads behind, cross the 17-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and head up Route 13. You'll feel the pace slow as you pass miles of farmland and explore the towns and sites along the way.

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.

Will special session get stuck in roads rut? Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Lawmakers question whether they'll be able to accomplish anything on transportation.

As summer traffic thickens at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, state lawmakers are heading to Richmond, prepared for political gridlock.

Les Smith leaves WTKR Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The news director and assistant director were fired by Channel 3.

The news director and assistant news director at local CBS affiliate WTKR-TV 3 were fired Thursday, and longtime local anchor Les Smith also has left the station less than two months after starting there.

Woman accused of child neglect Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
— A 29-year-old woman was arrested Saturday after her 3-year-old child was found wandering barefoot in the roadway for the second time.

Robbery suspect caught after being chased down by group Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:01:00 -0400
A man accused of holding up a Taco Bell was arrested after he was chased down by the manager and several others.

Two teens arrested after shootout in Franklin Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0400
Two teens were arrested and charged as suspects in a shootout on the streets of Franklin earlier this month.

Ex-pastor of famous NYC church will attend event Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Rev. James A. Forbes Jr. will replace Jeremiah Wright at the United Church of Christ meeting.

A former Virginia minister who became a pioneering New York pastor will help replace the Rev. Jeremiah Wright this week at the annual meeting of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Float down the Eastern Shore for some solitude and nature Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Grab a kayak and get a glimpse of the wildlife living in the Eastern part of Virginia.

It's still wild out here on the Eastern Shore.

Progress made on wildfire Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:10:00 -0400
The Great Dismal Swamp blaze was 50% contained Saturday.

Firefighters have doubled their progress on the Great Dismal Swamp fire in the last two days and have dug a "fire line" around half the 3,100-acre wildfire.

Why readers love the Eastern Shore Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Here is travel advice from our online forum dailypress.com/vacation

International Paper completes cleanup at Franklin mill Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:16:00 -0400
International Paper has completed a cleanup of hazardous waste at its paper mill in Franklin.

Shots fired in James City after argument Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:39:00 -0400
James City Police have taken out warrants against a Williamsburg man in connection with an argument Thursday night that ended in gunfire.

Tour firm's owner confident company will survive downturn Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Maxanne Taverniti has seen a lot of stresses on the tourism industry in her 19 years offering tours through her business, Maximum Tours Ltd. A recession hit just months after she began her venture, but she has survived.

Foundation's program gives life to pastor's efforts to restore Colonial Williamsburg Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Retired teacher Ed Way portrays the Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin in the program.

The man with the seersucker suit and gentle Virginia accent quoted Scripture and told tall tales about congressmen and condemned cars.

Busch parks may have few takers Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
If InBev buys Anheuser-Busch, it might struggle to sell two area theme parks and other sites.

After movie company Paramount Pictures said in January 2006 that theme parks didn't fit its core business, it sold all five of its parks — including Kings Dominion outside Richmond — six months later to Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.

Grant clears way for septic cleanup Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Testing in Sarah Creek is expected to provide water quality data.

A $52,000 grant through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has been tapped to pump out 100 septic systems in the Sarah Creek watershed, where a testing program is trying to get a picture of the pollution in the creek.

Charges dropped in drug sting Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Officials won't prosecute now that the primary witness, a cop, has left the department.

— Prosecutors have dropped charges against more than two dozen defendants netted in an October drug sting because the undercover sheriff's deputy who worked the operation is no longer with the office, according to the Gloucester commonwealth's attorney's office.

Philip Morris USA pulls new filter cigarettes Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:21:00 -0400
Philip Morris USA, the nation's No. 1 tobacco company, said Monday it has ended test markets of Marlboro-branded cigarettes that use a high-technology filter.

Only bodies under toppled ferry in Philippines Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:07:00 -0400
Divers managed to get inside an upside-down ferry Tuesday but found only bodies and no survivors three days after the vessel capsized during a powerful typhoon with more than 800 people aboard, officials said.

Richmond-based unit going to Afghanistan Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Virginia Army National Guard says a Richmond-based engineering unit is being called to deploy to Afghanistan.

McCain disavows aide's comment about terrorism Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:26:00 -0400
A top adviser to John McCain said another terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be a "big advantage" for the Republican presidential candidate, drawing a sharp rebuke Monday from both the presumed GOP nominee and Democrat Barack Obama.

Lightning sparks 800-plus fires in California Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:39:00 -0400
Firefighters from neighboring states arrived to help Monday after an "unprecedented" lightning storm sparked more than 800 wildfires, from Big Sur to wine country to Humboldt County.

Police raid Zimbabwe opposition headquarters Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:33:00 -0400
Zimbabwe's opposition leader took refuge in the Dutch Embassy after pulling out of the presidential runoff, and the U.N. Security Council condemned a "campaign of violence" in the African nation that has made a fair election impossible.

Autistic man recovering after 7 days in Wis. woods Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:37:00 -0400
An autistic man who could barely speak and had wandered off without medicine for his transplanted kidney likely had just hours to live when he was found after a week in the woods, a doctor said.

Inmate falls through ceiling into Texas police office Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:28:00 -0400
Authorities say an inmate trying to flee a Texas city jail crashed through the ceiling into a police chief's empty office.

Don Imus says race comment was misunderstood Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:15:00 -0400
Months after returning to the radio with a pledge to mend the wounds caused by his comments about a women's basketball team, Don Imus is once again defending on-air remarks regarding race.

Dobson accuses Obama of `distorting' Bible Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:29:00 -0400
As Barack Obama broadens his outreach to evangelical voters, one of the movement's biggest names, James Dobson, accuses the likely Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.

Hernandez's rare slam leads Mariners past Mets 5-2 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:24:00 -0400
Felix Hernandez hit the first grand slam by an American League pitcher in 37 years, then departed with a sprained ankle before he could qualify for a win in the Seattle Mariners' 5-2 victory over the New York Mets on Monday night.

We must share the load to fix the roads Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
T he Powers That Be are trying to shake me down, and I don't like it.

Today's Regional Mystery Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Q : Which is wider, the James River or the Mississippi River? And how do the two rivers compare in length?

2 men and 1 rival got Tech to ACC Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
T he deal was done. Syracuse, Boston College and Miami were bolting the Big East to join the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Two chances for Idol worshipping Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Carrie Underwood plays Hampton in October; Mandisa to sing in Yorktown in July.

Country singer and "American Idol" queen Carrie Underwood will bring her Carnival Ride Tour to Hampton Coliseum on Oct. 23, staff at the arena announced June 23.

Body found in burned trailer at JCPenney Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A body has been found in a tractor-trailer that caught fire in the overnight hours at a loading dock at the new JCPenney in Peninsula Town Center.

Virginia Living Museum hosting native plant sale Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:01:00 -0400
The Virginia Living Museum in Newport News is hosting their summer plant sale beginning June 28.

NHRA driver Scott Kalitta dies in race accident Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:40:00 -0400
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Tim Wilkerson had a trophy under his arm, but he had no desire to celebrate having the fastest Funny Car on the drag strip. His friend Scott Kalitta was dead, and Wilkerson wore a weary, forced smile during a round of photos.

Musician charged after foul language at local festival Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:51:00 -0400
A musician who was onstage with the New Orleans-based funk band Galactic faces charges in Norfolk after a profane performance upset the crowd at the annual Bayou Boogaloo festival over the weekend.

ACC invite the 'best thing' to ever happen to Virginia Tech Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:03:00 -0400
Weeks after commencement, on a blustery May afternoon, the Virginia Tech campus exhales. Except for the athletic complex.

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