Daily Bacon's | November 13, 2009

Today’s Topics

• Weather
• General Assembly
• Health
• Education
• Transportation
• Politics
• Local

Weather

Weather emergency in Virginia | The Washington Post

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening, authorizing state and local agencies to take necessary precautions against coastal flooding as the state is walloped simultaneously by a coastal northeaster and the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida.

UPDATE: Storm moves on but leaves Hampton Roads a mess | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

RICHMOND, Va. — Powerful winds and torrential rain were expected to weaken today across southeastern Virginia, but authorities kept close watch over high tide and cautioned residents whose homes and streets have been flooded.

Va. official: About 500 flee to higher ground | Inside Nova

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia emergency management spokeswoman says about 500 Hampton Roads residents have gone to shelters or sought refuge on higher ground because of flooding.

Barge breaks away from tug, threatens pier at Sandbridge | The Virginian Pilot

General Assembly

Transportation, education top Fairfax’s wish-list to Richmond | The Washington Examiner

Fairfax County will look to blunt lawmakers’ budget knife on education funding while asking for state legislators to find new long-term transportation dollars.

Health

Swine-flu cases drop in Va. | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

RICHMOND, Va — Swine flu appears to have been cut in half in Virginia.

DRMC shares vision with city leaders | The Danville Register Bee

Danville Regional Medical Center’s leaders shared the hospital’s challenges and vision for the future with City Council on Thursday afternoon.

Education

Immigrant from Vietnam Gives GMU a $5 Million Gift | The Sun Gazette

George Mason University’s Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering has received a $5 million gift from Northern Virginia business executive Long Nguyen and his wife, Kimmy, and will name the university’s new state-of-the-art engineering facility the “Long and Kimmy Nguyen Engineering Building.”

VCU plans to eliminate 91 jobs | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

RICHMOND, Va. — The state’s community colleges will increase tuition for next semester, and Virginia Commonwealth University plans to eliminate 91 jobs as the schools attempt to absorb multiple cuts in their budgets.

Va. keeps focus on early-childhood education, official says | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Despite tough economic times, Virginia has taken a strong interest in maintaining its programs for early-childhood education, according to a member of the Virginia Board of Education.

County says schools will get $6 million less from Virginia | The Daily Progress

Albemarle County schools expect about $6 million less in state funding next fiscal year than this fiscal year — likely equating to another blow to teachers and less funding for operational expenses.

‘Fan Cans’ dispute still unsettled | The Roanoke Times

BLACKSBURG — Anheuser-Busch’s controversial “Team Pride” promotional campaign never really got started in Blacksburg.

For eighth-grader, head scarf is badge of faith, burden | The Washington Post

Smar Abuagla steps out her front door at 7:20 a.m., her shoulders slightly hunched, her eyes watchful.

Fairfax School Psychology Named Tops in Virginia | The Sun Gazette

Wendy Rudolph, senior school psychologist and Flint Hill Elementary School psychologist, has been named the recipient of the 2009-10 School Psychologist of the Year Award from the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists and Virginia Psychological Association.

Hatrick Warns Budget Cuts Could Fundamentally Change Loudoun Schools | Leesburg Today

In the first face-to-face meeting dealing with the projected deep revenue shortfall in the FY11 budget, county supervisors and school board members last night got an overview of the wide gap they face in their efforts to find middle ground in their work to maintain needed services while keeping residents’ tax bills affordable.

Community college board approves midyear tuition increase | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

The State Board for Community Colleges today approved a midyear tuition increase to offset state budget cuts.

Novel will not be banned from Roanoke Co. school libraries | The Roanoke Times

A controversial novel challenged by the parent of a Roanoke County high school student will not be banned, but school officials have chosen to restrict access to it.

Transportation

Va. Railway Express rail warns of Fredericksburg-line delays Monday | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

FREDERICKSBURG — Virginia Railway Express commuters are likely to experience severe delays Monday as scheduled signal work on the Fredericksburg line likely will push schedules behind by up to an hour.

Politics

Perriello, Nye defend opposing votes on health care | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, last night held a telephone town hall with more than 8,000 participants to explain his vote in favor of the $1.2 trillion health-care overhaul.

Local

ABC charge dropped against Spirits owner | The Star Exponent

A General District Court judge on Thursday dismissed a misdemeanor alcohol charge against the manager of Spirits, a yet-to-open restaurant at the Lord Culpeper Hotel.

Company releases details of bid to buy SPSA | The Virginian Pilot

A company that submitted a proposal this week to buy SPSA wants to purchase the trash authority for a total of $240 million, according to details released this morning.

No more books for Beach board – it’s time to go electronic | The Virginian Pilot

After years of toting binders stuffed with reams of paper to School Board meetings, board members are switching to sleek laptops.

Flood reduction project may be paying off | The Roanoke Times

Late Thursday morning, with rain still falling and streams rising, the National Weather Service predicted the Roanoke River would crest at 15.5 feet at about 1 p.m.