News 2008-07-02 Andanh.com

Talk to the editor Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:10:34 -0500
C'mon by for a quick chat Wednesday morning. I'm the political editor at the Daily Press, and I try to start the day online, listening to what you have to say about what's going on in Virginia politics. See you then!

Massengill, three sheriffs endorse Mark Warner Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:00:31 -0500
Six law enforcement veterans with ties to both major parties endorsed Democrat Mark R. Warner for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. Four of the six were from Hampton Roads. Headlining the group was Gerald Massengill, the former Virginia state police superintendent who retired from active service in 2003, roughly two years after Warner was elected governor. Massengill chaired the panel that reviewed the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007. Massengill, who describes himself as a Republican, says he was impressed by Warner's problem-solving ability and willingness to listen while the two worked together. The endorsements also included the sheriffs of Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Newport News. Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan is a Republican-turned-independent. He said Warner's ability to turn around Virginia's budget crisis in 2004...

Wes Clark didn't "attack," and the media missed the mark Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:52:00 -0500
A quick thank-you to Zachary Roth at Columbia Journalism Review for the piece he posted online yesterday (here's a link): "'Attacking' McCain's Military Record: What Wesley Clark really said (and) how the press missed it." Roth's point is that the basic premise for the campaign flap du jour isn't true -- Clark didn't attack John McCain's military record, he merely said that having been a prisoner of war, all by itself, doesn't qualify someone to be president. "This is a distinction," Roth writes, "that you'd expect any reasonably intelligent nine-year old to be able to grasp." You can't blame the McCain camp for sensing an opportunity -- Clark's comments did provide an opening -- but as Roth points out, "This is the perfect embodiment of...

Good morning -- what's on your mind? Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:20:21 -0500
I'm Dave Hendrickson, the state editor at the Daily Press, and I try to start my days with 30 or 40 minutes of live blogging, just to see what's going on in the world -- and what's on your mind. So grab a cup of coffee and join me.

Dissing Webb? Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:25:23 -0500
On the day the U.S. Senate approved his long-sought GI Bill to give war veterans a free college education, Virginia Sen. Jim Webb said he was determined not to get too excited. President Bush, after all, still had to sign the measure. ``When I'm standing in the Rose Garden and the president is actually signing it, I will be excited," Webb said Thursday, hours before the Senate vote. Bush signed the measure Monday, but without the fanfare that might be expected to accompany the creation of a generous new government program for the nation's war veterans. Instead of a formal Rose Garden ceremony, Bush signed the measure quickly and delivered a brief statement from the Oval Office. Webb, the chief sponsor of the GI Bill,...

Desperate times, desperate sloganeering Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:37:02 -0500
Former Gov. Jim Gilmore takes a jab today from the left-leaning New Republic. In TNR's political blog, The Stump, Eve Fairbanks takes note of Gilmore's Senate campaign slogan -- "Drill here. Drill now. Pay less." -- under the headline, "Department of desperate campaign slogans." I thought the best line came in a response from a reader, who called the former guv's catch-phrase, "a good slogan for a walk-in dental clinic." These folks obviously never heard the lyrical, "No car tax." Here's a link.

Defending McCain Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:01:01 -0500
Virginia Sen. John Warner rushed to the defense of his party's presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, on Monday to counter an attack on McCain's military record. The McCain campaign organized a conference call with reporters to respond to an attack over the weekend from retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former NATO supreme commander and Democrat who has been mentioned as a possibly running mate for Sen. Barack Obama. Clark, in an appearance Sunday on CBS's ``Face the Nation," suggested McCain lacks the experience needed to serve as commander in chief. ``He hasn't been there and ordered the bombs to fall" as a wartime commander, Clark was quoted as saying. When reminded that McCain was shot down in the Vietnam war and held prisoner, Clark said,...

You know gas prices are too high when truckers stop hiring hookers...wait what? Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:29:53 -0500
Um.....my editors have set up the Taser to keep me from commenting on this story from the Associated Press about gas prices triggering lagging numbers according to the Nevada Brothel Owners' Association. In response to a 5 percent drop in business, the Shady Lady Ranch along U.S. 95 about 150 miles north of Las Vegas plans to offer $50 gas cards to clients who spend $300 and $100 gas cards to those who spend $500. Click here for the full story from CNN. I am not creative enough to make this up.

Mark Warner and Glenn Nye stopped by my house this weekend... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:04:04 -0500
Well not literally, I'm much too far down the totem poll for that. But staffers came by my home in Virginia Beach this weekend to drop of fliers about former Gov. Mark Warner - who is running to replace retiring U.S. Sen. John Warner - and Glenn Nye - a first time candidate hoping to knock off U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake. Warner has a nice looking pamplet all about getting beyond partisan politics - I can almost hear him talking about the "Radical Centrists" right now. He never mentions former Gov. Jim Gilmore, the Republican nominee, but gives quick snippets of his background starting off with the budget shortfall. Nye takes a different tact - by asking people to join his campaign to lower gas...

Bobby Scott to host discussion of youth violence Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:25:22 -0500
U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott will hold a "summit on youth violence" in Surry Wednesday night at the Surry County Recreation Center. In addition to Scott, the panel discussion on the causes of and possible solutions to youth violence will feature Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge Jerrauld C. Jones, and Professor Emeritus Robert E. Shepherd Jr. from the University of Richmond. It is designed, in part, to give young people the opportunity to meet and talk to elected officials. The summit begins at 5:30 at the recreation center, which is at 205 Enos Drive, Surry.

Diverse lineup announced for Hampton Bay Days Tue, 1 Jul 2008 13:15:26 -0400
Hampton Bay Days, which takes place Sept. 5-7 in downtown Hampton, announced it's full musical lineup today, and it's a diverse group.

Mom charged after child found wandering at night Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The 2-year-old was walking in a housing complex at 2 a.m.

The arrest of a 21-year-old mother charged with child neglect after her 2-year-old was found wandering around a housing complex in Newport News in the middle of the night shocked a community.

Hundreds of laws going into effect Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Starting today, it's a little harder to get into payday-loan trouble, a little easier to drink.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed nearly 900 bills into law from the General Assembly's winter session that become effective today, from sweeping reforms in mental health to special license plates for Colonial Williamsburg.

Congressman to hold series of workshops Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, D- Newport News, is sponsoring a series of workshops today and Wednesday.

Government to delay cut in Medicare doctor's fees Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Bush administration said Monday it will delay paying doctors for treating Medicare patients in early July to give Congress more time to block a scheduled 10.6 percent fee cut.

Craftsman transforms doorknobs into 'bling' Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Robert "Boochie" Burrest Jr. has always liked to tinker.

Forbes' energy incentives draw mixed response Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Republican's $24 billion plan wins praise, but some say it would not help the nation's short-term needs.

Virginia Rep. J. Randy Forbes is winning national attention for a bold proposal to revolutionize the nation's energy policy in an era of $4-a-gallon gasoline.

Forbes is a master talker, preacher Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
JEREMIAH WHO? When we wrote about the Rev. James A. Forbes Jr. serving as the replacement speaker for the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, we were impressed that an eastern North Carolina-born, former Richmond pastor was pastor of New York's famous Riverside Church for 18 years.

Will you be affected by the new laws on Tuesday? Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Bills were passed this year on driving and in response to shootings at Virginia Tech.

Several new laws that take effect Tuesday in Virginia resulted from the criminal dogfighting conviction of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick and the mass shootings at Virginia Tech.

State seeks input on late phone payment rules Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Virginia regulators are seeking public comment on proposed changes to rules governing late payment and bad check charges for local telephone companies.

State GOP names new executive director Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Republican Party of Virginia has a new executive director. Allison Coccia is the first woman to head the party's staff in more than 25 years. Before joining the Republican Party of Virginia staff, Coccia served as executive director for the New York Republican State Committee and as political director and acting finance director of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania.

Auto repairman gets 10 years for identity theft, fraud Tue, 1 Jul 2008 14:43:00 -0400
The Suffolk man will have to pay back $609,000 to defrauded customers and vendors, and serve 10 years in prison.

A Suffolk auto repairman will serve 10 years in prison for stealing his customers' identities and credit card numbers.

Isle of Wight man with Alzheimer's found Monday night Tue, 1 Jul 2008 07:25:00 -0400
John Bynum, a 77-year-old man with Alzheimer's, was found safe and alive last night after missing for over two days.

More smoke is on the way as fires continue to spread Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Today's another "Code Orange" day, so those at higher risk should curtail strenuous outdoor activities.

Last week, things were looking good for the Great Dismal Swamp fire. Then the winds changed.

Fire forces five people from homes Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Five people were displaced from their homes Monday when a fire damaged two apartments in Suffolk.

Sheriff's son faces DUI charges in crash Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A sheriff's son has been identified as the driver of a mini-van that struck a flower shop on Saturday.

Pizza shop employee shoots, kills robber Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A pizza restaurant employee shot and killed a masked robber who entered the store Saturday night.

Would-be robber shot, killed at Beach pizza place Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:26:00 -0400
A pizza restaurant employee shot and killed a masked robber who entered the store Saturday night.

W&M plans to test alert system in drill Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The College of William and Mary is scheduled to conduct a test of its emergency alert systems at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday. The drill will involve both a sounding of the campus emergency siren and a test of the mass-messaging notification system.

Damaged fire truck still being repaired Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
York County firefighters are working with a backup ladder truck after a York County Ladder Truck No. 1 was damaged after rolling over into a ditch June 21 while going to a call.

Obici Hospital site redesign falls through Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Plans to redevelop the old Obici Hospital site have fallen through.

50 years of unity celebrated by city Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Newport News will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the consolidation of Warwick County and Newport News today.

Body found in house destroyed by fire Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A body was found last week after a house fire demolished a historic Surry County home.

W&M testing emergency alert systems Wednesday Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:18:00 -0400
The College of William and Mary is scheduled to conduct a test of its emergency alert systems at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday. The drill will involve both a sounding of the campus emergency siren and a test of the mass-messaging notification system.

Less blue — more green Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
T he summer months are the peak for water use, and the water bills prove it.

Local dealerships defy expectations Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The two companies moved to larger facilities, despite tough economic times for the automotive industry.

The two companies moved to larger facilities, despite tough economic times for the automotive industry.

Deal will open door to Chinese market Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The chairman of the Chinese company may get a board seat and Smithfield gets market access.

In one swoop, a Chinese shipping company became a bigger investor in Smithfield Foods on Monday than company founding family member Joseph Luter III. What that took was an investment of $1.4 billion for almost 5 percent of the local pork processor.

AAA predicts drop in holiday travel in Virginia Tue, 1 Jul 2008 11:36:00 -0400
High gas prices could keep some Virginia residents close to home over the July 4th holiday.

Burger King looks to woo mom with new kids meal Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:01:00 -0400
After watching its bigger rival McDonald's Corp. try to woo mom, Burger King Corp. is launching a new marketing and promotional campaign Monday meant to grab her attention.

Learning how to spend wisely Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Given all the recent economic malaise, there's a good chance you're trying to lower your spending.

Navy awards Bay Electric $5.8 million fire station contract Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Newport News-based Bay Electric Company Inc. was awarded a $5.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy for design and construction of a Marine Special Operations Complex fire station at Camp Lejeune, the service announced Monday.

Anheuser-Busch to cut health, pension benefits Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Anheuser-Busch Cos. plans to cut pension and health care benefits for its salaried employees as part of an effort to slash $1 billion in costs by the end of 2010 and fend off an unsolicited $46 billion bid from Belgian brewer InBev.

Smithfield to sell unit to Spanish company Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The deal will allow Smithfield to own 36 percent of the combined company.

Pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. said Monday it will sell Groupe Smithfield Holdings SL, its main European subsidiary, to Campofrio Alimentacion SA, the largest processed meats company in Spain.

Oil prices drop after record high Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Crude oil jumped to $143 a barrel before falling on demand fears and a resilient dollar.

The price of crude oil hit yet another record on the last day of a tumultuous first half, spurting past $143 a barrel before ending lower on demand fears and a resilient dollar. Crude has shot up nearly 50 percent since the start of the year, in large part on the dollar's troubles, and analysts expect that trend to remain intact as the second half of 2008 begins.

Police: Ex-convict suspected of killing 8 captured Tue, 1 Jul 2008 23:15:00 -0400
Police and FBI agents captured an ex-convict suspected of killing eight people in two states as he smoked a cigarette outside of a southwestern Illinois bar Tuesday night.

Gen. Clark won't back off critique of McCain Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:38:00 -0400
Retired Gen. Wesley Clark rejected suggestions he apologize Tuesday for saying John McCain's medal-winning military service does not qualify him for the White House. Elaborating, Clark said a president must have judgment, not merely courage and character.

Bush: Housing deal possible with 'less politics' Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:42:00 -0400
President Bush expressed confidence Tuesday he will reach a deal with Congress on a housing-rescue plan, but only if lawmakers show "less politics."

Pentagon to unveil new waiver process for recruits Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:40:00 -0400
The Pentagon has revised its policy for recruits who must get waivers for past bad behavior, but officials stopped short of eliminating waiver requirements for petty crimes, The Associated Press has learned.

Obama courts conservatives with new faith program Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:38:00 -0400
Taking a page from President Bush, Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday he wants to expand White House efforts to steer social service dollars to religious groups, risking protests in his own party with his latest aggressive reach for voters who usually vote Republican.

Sept. 11 memorial head wants to open by 9/11/11 Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:27:00 -0400
The head of the foundation building the Sept. 11 memorial told supporters Tuesday it's "essential" to open the memorial by the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, disputing a report that the project couldn't be finished on time.

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