News 2008-07-24 Andanh.com

Let's chat again in the morning Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:30:55 -0500
Just me this time, no Mudcat. But if you've been looking for your chance to talk to the editor, in this case the political editor, come on back to The Shad Plank about 9:30 Thursday morning. I try to make a habit of starting the day with, I guess, an electronic open door policy. So grab a cup of coffee, come on by and let's compare notes.

Sen. Jim Webb's short-list of best books Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:59:13 -0500
The Week magazine, which modestly describes its contents as "all you need to know about everything that matters," gave Virginia Sen. Jim Webb a bit of space on its Arts page this week for its "best books" feature. Here are the books on the senator's list, and excerpts from his comments. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. "Hemingway reinvented the narrative style of the novel," Webb writes. "He also claimed...that he learned to write by studying the paintings of Cezanne. To a literary eye, this masterfully written, wonderfully evocative story is evidence of both." The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman. "This examination of the opening days of (World War I) from diplomacy to military tactics is multi-layered history at its finest." Hawaii...

Let's chat with Mudcat Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:58:39 -0500
Hello all, and welcome to a live online chat with Dave "Mudcat" Saunders -- Democratic political consultant, co-author of "Foxes in the Henhouse," and one-time sports writer at the Times-Herald, which long ago merged with the Daily Press.

New Virginia poll finds a slim lead for Obama, a huge lead for Warner and an open door for Allen Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:15:05 -0500
Public Policy Polling has released its latest survey, which found Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama leading Republican candidate John McCain by two percentage points in Virginia -- the same slim margin he held last month. In other words, it remains a tossup, except for one thing: Obama leads among independents by six percentage points -- 42-38. Within their parties, Obama leads 83-10 among Democrats and McCain leads 84-11 among Republicans. In the race for U.S. Senate, Democrat Mark Warner remains far ahead of Republican Jim Gilmore -- 57-32. A second Public Policy Polling survey is, to my way of thinking, more interesting mostly because it's more of a surprise. To try to get a feel for what sort of political future George Allen might still...

Some changes at VCU ... Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:01:59 -0500
Several administrators at Virginia Commonwealth University -- including noted political analyst Robert Holsworth -- are stepping down after an investigation into how VCU improperly awarded a bachelor's degree to the former Richmond city police chief, the Associated Press reports. Holsworth is resigning as interim dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences, the story says. He will continue as a political science professor and special assistant to the provost. Michael D. Pratt is stepping down as interim director of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and director of the VCU Center for Public Policy. He will remain a professor of economics. S. Jon Steingass resigned as dean of VCU's University College, which awarded Rodney D. Monroe a bachelor of arts degree...

Noon Wednesday: Chat with Mudcat Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:36:40 -0500
Don't forget to stop by The Shad Plank at noon Wednesday for live-blogging with Dave "Mudcat" Saunders, self-described Democratic "bubba" consultant, co-author of "Foxes in the Henhouse: How the Republicans Stole the South and the Heartland and What the Democrats Must Do to Throw 'Em Out," and -- long, long ago -- humble sports writer for the Newport News Times-Herald. Any Johnny Unitas fans out there?

Nothing like eggs, bacon and a U.S. Senate candidate talking about the economy... Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:27:23 -0500
Some of the folks in D'Egg Diner in Downtown Norfolk were expecting former Gov. Mark R. Warner on Tuesday morning. They had questions ready and stories to be told. Others seemed a little shocked to see Warner making his pitch over bleating phones and clinking silverware. But Warner is running to replace retiring Republican U.S. Sen. John Warner - no relation - and this Democrat knows how to work a room. A little after 10:30 a.m. Warner strolled through the door casually and approached every single table to introduce himself, then made sure to take himself along the stools and into the kitchen to woo some staffers. After that, Warner settled in with a group of about a dozen local business owners, non-profit staffers and...

Webb on Colbert: "I spent 6 minutes with you, and my life changed" Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:30:42 -0500
Here's Sen. Jim Webb, going mano-a-mano with Stephen Colbert:

How do the media love him? Now you can count the ways Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:26:58 -0500
Sen. John McCain's campaign gets my nod for video fun of the day today. They offer two choices, though for the most part it's the same video, just with a different soundtrack. The topic? The media's love for Barack Obama. The idea is, you watch both and vote for your preferred Barack-media love song. The leading choice by a landslide so far is "My Eyes Adored You," but I kind of prefer the underdog "So Close and Yet So Far Away." Here it is: Click here to watch both versions, and to cast your vote. My hunch is the real hit will be the Chris Mathews line about "the thrill going up my leg." Whew. Steamy.

Gilmore repays himself for a $50,000 campaign loan Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:48:12 -0500
TPM Election Central reports that former Gov. and current GOP Senate candidate Jim Gilmore has used $50,000 in campaign funds to pay himself back for a loan that he made to his campaign early in the season. TPM calls it "a sign that he might not be too dedicated to his uphill Senate bid." What do you think?

Box-office records fall to Batman's heroics Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
'Dark Knight' hauls in an estimated $155.3 million in three days and leads the industry to its best weekend ever.

Holy opening weekend, Batman!

State seeks to insure pregnant women, kids Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A state outreach effort is providing health insurance to a record number of Virginia children and pregnant women who otherwise would not have health coverage.

Mental health agency wants help on name Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The state's top agency addressing the concerns of mentally disabled Virginians is considering a name change.

Officials, family members unveil Virginia Civil Rights Memorial Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The bronze-and-granite sculpture honors a 1951 protest at an all-black Prince Edward high school.

The newest monument on Capitol Square recalls the fight for racial justice and a crusade that began on April 23, 1951.

Feds urge consumers to avoid jalapenos Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Government inspectors finally have a big clue in the nationwide salmonella outbreak: They found the same bacteria strain on a single Mexican-grown jalapeno pepper handled in Texas — and issued a stronger warning for consumers to avoid fresh jalapenos.

Motorcyclist dies in crash while fleeing police Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:54:00 -0400
Police have identified the man who died on Saturday after crashing his motorcycle while fleeing from officers attempting to pull him over for speeding.

Motorcyclist dies in crash; other driver charged Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:48:00 -0400
A Newport News man died early this morning from injuries sustained when he was thrown from his Harley Davidson motorcycle after being struck by a car at an intersection on Sunday afternoon.

Police: Double-shooting may be 'domestic situation' Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:02:00 -0400
A double-shooting last week at a home in Virginia Beach could have stemmed from a "domestic situation" between the husband and wife who were seriously injured, police say.

Hampton's top cop says violent crime is down Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Charles "Chuck" Jordan, 52, was born and raised in Hampton and has devoted 30 years to law enforcement in the city, working his way up through the ranks.

Kindergartners get chance to succeed at summer school Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The extra time in class can help these kids catch up and better prepare them for first grade.

Larry Steiner doesn't expect his summer school students to learn new things. He just wants them to remember what they've already learned — in kindergarten.

Virginia Tech keeps some shooting records secret Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:54:00 -0400
Virginia Tech says some records about the April 2007 campus shootings that left 31 people dead will remain secret.

Man arrested, charged in Suffolk shooting incident Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:21:00 -0400
Police have arrested a man suspected of shooting another man outside a Suffolk home and also firing a shot into a fire station.

Victims tell how they got ripped off Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A Hampton woman is one of many customers who were defrauded by an auto repair business run by Charles E. Perry Jr.

Charles E. Perry Jr. charged Margaret Nettles nearly $2,500 for repairs to her vehicle that he never made. She drove in with a 2001 Ford Explorer with a slipping transmission, and drove off with a slipping transmission. And exhaust problems. And a broken front-wheel drive.

Vandals hit elementary school, steal copper Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:18:00 -0400
One or more vandals damaged more than a dozen air conditioning units at a Suffolk elementary school over the weekend and stole copper from some of the units.

Farmer avoids jail for deaths of 8 cattle Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A judge determines that William Lee Shelton did not intentionally cause the animals' deaths.

A man battling cancer was spared jail time for letting cattle starve to death on his farm.

$13.9M courts building expected to open in 2010 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The 47,000-square-foot facility will accommodate issues related to Isle of Wight's population rise.

County officials are finalizing plans for a new courts services building that will cost about $13.9 million.

$17 million distribution facility, 40 jobs coming to Isle of Wight Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A new distribution center will create 40 jobs in Isle of Wight County, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Tuesday.

Vick co-defendant's trial date set for fall Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A trial date for one of Michael Vick's co-defendants on state dogfighting charges will be set on Sept. 23.

Get hooked on fishing Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Condo fire may have been started by lightning Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:38:00 -0400
A four-unit condominium in Williamsburg was badly damaged last night by a fire that may have been started by a lightning strike.

Local teen is charged in recent string of burglaries Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
James City County police have charged a county teenager in a string of recent burglaries after police arrested him during a break-in Sunday in a subdivision off Longhill Road.

Police seek 2 suspects in armed robbery Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Police are looking for two suspects after an armed robbery at a convenience store on West Mercury Boulevard on Monday night.

Cash, cameras taken from Russian women Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Three Russian women working in the U.S. for the summer were robbed of cash, paychecks and cameras off Pocahontas Trail on Sunday.

Teen sought in man's shooting death Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Police have identified a 16-year-old as a suspect in the killing of Ryan Seawright in Newport News on Monday.

Russian workers robbed by 2 women in JCC Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:55:00 -0400
Three women working in the country for the summer were robbed of cash, paychecks and cameras off Pocahontas Trail Sunday night.

St. Olaf Catholic Church is seeking room to expand Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
St. Olaf Catholic Church needs the Board of Supervisors to OK a special-use permit.

When St. Olaf Catholic Church was founded in 1992, it had roughly 50 families.

Fifes and Drums on display Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
C elebrating their 50th anniversary, Colonial Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums made its first international appearance July 15-19 at the Basel Tattoo in Basel, Switzerland. Participation in the event was by invitation only and consisted of 12 international bands, massed Pipes and Drums, and other top-class formations. According to the event's organizers, the Basel Tattoo is the world's only tattoo to take place where the tattoo originated: in the courtyard of a historical barracks.

Business goes on as court date looms Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Supervisors interviewed county administrator hopefuls while recall petitions are organized.

In its first meeting since four members were indicted by a special grand jury, the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors went into closed session Tuesday afternoon to begin interviewing candidates for county administrator.

For West Point unit, return is 'awesome' Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Happy families welcome home the Army National Guard's 237th Engineer Company.

The combat engineers of the Virginia Army National Guard's 237th Engineer Company filed into the small West Point High School gym to an ear-splitting ovation. Untold willpower kept families in the bleachers as their men stood in formation, so close, and safe.

Banks jolt market with heavy losses Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Wachovia's second-quarter loss of $8.86B unnerves investors after recent gains by investment firms.

A surprisingly large second-quarter loss at Wachovia Corp. has quickly revived Wall Street's concerns that the financial sector still has a long way to go before it recovers from the year-old credit crisis.

Oil prices drop as investors pull back Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Oil prices tumbled more than $3 a barrel Tuesday as Tropical Storm Dolly grew increasingly unlikely to threaten supply, giving traders one less reason to buy as a strengthening dollar helped keep prices in check.

Gas gauge Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Local bank part of merger Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The parent of Newport News-based Bay Community Bank is aiming for a strong statewide reach.

The parent company of Newport News-based Bay Community Bank and Bowling Green-based Union Bank and Trust is merging the two financial institutions.

Profits increase but future hard to predict Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Farm Fresh parent Supervalu Inc. cut its 2009 profit guidance on Tuesday, citing a slowdown in consumer spending and soaring energy costs, even as it said profit rose 9 percent in its first quarter.

Your money Tips for saving it … Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
If you are currently between jobs, you might want to try freelancing to supplement your income. While freelancing can be lucrative, it certainly isn't easy. To improve your chances of success, here are three ways to find freelancing work:

Officials ask for 401(k) details Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Labor Department proposes a rule that would require better disclosure on retirement plan fees to boost savings.

Millions of participants in 401(k)-style retirement plans would receive more information about the costs of those programs, a move that could help boost savings, under a rule proposed by the Labor Department Tuesday.

Silver lining of gas prices: Declining traffic deaths Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Many states are showing the biggest percentage fall in deaths since the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s.

Rising prices at the gas pump appear to be having at least one positive effect: Traffic deaths around the country are plummeting, just as they did during the Arab oil embargo three decades ago.

Forecasters downgrade Dolly to tropical storm in south Texas; Flooding threat persists Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:27:00 -0400
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) _ Hurricane Dolly barreled into South Texas on Wednesday, lashing the coast with winds up to 100 mph and dumping heavy rain that flooded some low-lying areas but spared levees along the heavily populated Rio Grande Valley.

Hinckley seeks more time in area Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The presidential assailant wants expanded visits to his mother's home near Williamsburg.

Presidential assailant John W. Hinckley Jr. returned to federal court Monday seeking expanded visits to his mother's home near Williamsburg.

Bin Laden driver denied al-Qaida ties in early interrogation video Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:49:00 -0400
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) _ U.S. military prosecutors on Wednesday played an interrogation video that shows a driver for Osama bin Laden denying any connection to al-Qaida but also fretting that he is "finished."

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