Today’s Topics
Legal
Western District proposes local rules | Virginia Lawyers Weekly
There is change in the wind for lawyers who practice in federal court in the western part of the commonwealth.
Richmond judge upholds 30-year recommended drug sentence | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
A Richmond judge sentenced a drug dealer to 30 years in prison today, refusing to suspend any of the sentence recommended by a jury.
Scores of Virginia courthouses have been studied for security risks in the past several years as part of a program initiated by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Reports on the findings of assessment teams are confidential, but lawyers and the public may find a few extra inconveniences as security is tightened at many courthouses.
After man’s fatal fall, family sues over Va. town’s inaction | The Washington Post
Warrenton native Harold Spencer walked out of the newly built Warrenton-Fauquier Visitor Center and tripped over a 16-inch wall around a cistern just outside the front door. Spencer, 73, fell awkwardly and broke his neck. Three days later, he died.
Top court to take look at trail case | SWVA Today
A Washington County property owner and the town of Saltville are heading back to court. This time, though, it’s to the biggest court in the state.
Education
GU, GMU to partner on biomedicine | The Washington Post
George Mason and Georgetown universities have signed a letter of intent to open a joint biomedical program at GMU’s Prince William campus next year.
UVa board expected to OK demolitions | The Daily Progress
The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors is poised to greenlight yet another round of demolitions of the university’s 1960s-era residence halls.
State board approves tuition hikes for community colleges | The Star Exponent
Obtaining a higher education these days is going to cost Germanna Community College students more money when they return to class next spring.
Changes coming to NVCC Woodbridge campus | The News & Messenger
The Northern Virginia Community College Woodbridge campus will look significantly different starting next summer.
A ‘feel-good’ label for ‘at-risk’ kids? | The Washington Post
I sympathize with those who might not be comfortable with the latest plan to rid our schools of at-risk kids. Several educators across the country, including Alexandria Superintendent Morton Sherman, have decided not to call them that anymore. Henceforth they will be known as “at-promise” children.
The McDonnell Administration
McDonnell eyes health-care changes at state level | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell worries that a national health-care overhaul that includes a public option would lead to diminished access to quality care and reduced choice for Virginians.
Gov.-elect McDonnell announces senior advisers to transition team | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Senior advisers to Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell’s transition team include former members of Congress, veterans of former Gov. George Allen’s administration, and representatives of key constituent groups, from business to the National Rifle Association and The Virginia Family Foundation.
McDonnell meets House Democrats, stresses common ground | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell emerged from a meeting with House Democrats yesterday afternoon saying both sides are committed to working together to bring Virginia more jobs and economic prosperity.
Storm Cleanup
Kaine seeks FEMA assessment of Va. storm damage | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to send damage assessment teams to Virginia following last week’s wind-driven rain storm.
Transportation
Arlington approves parking overhaul | The Washington Examiner
Arlington County may eventually see parking meter hours extended to nights and weekends and variable meter pricing, under a 20-year parking plan passed Saturday.
The Dulles Metrorail Project | The Washington Post
The Metrorail project is marching west through Tysons Corner and swinging north onto Route 7, where construction will probably have the greatest effect on drivers. The next six months of work along this one-mile corridor up to the Dulles Toll Road will be “fairly intense,” says Howard Menaker, communications manager for Dulles Transit Partners, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s contractor for this phase of the rail project. Here’s what travelers will see as they drive through the work zone in the coming months.
Economy
Hampton officials say federal stimulus doesn’t offset state cuts | The Daily Press
HAMPTON – The city’s bottom line took a hit from state budget cuts this year while getting a boost from federal stimulus funds.
Bond sale reaps $197 million for Va. projects | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
A bond sale by the Virginia Resources Authority will provide $197 million for infrastructure projects across the state.
Va farms saw increased crops in 2008 | The Bristol Herald-Courier
A report says Virginia farms saw increased crop yields and cash receipts last year.
Central Va. entrepreneur envisions owning 100 hotels | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Until P.C. Amin came to Richmond, he’d never stayed in a hotel.
Mail center employees rally against job losses | The Daily Progress
More than 50 postal workers from the Charlottesville region rallied alongside U.S. 29 on Sunday to protest the possible closure of the Albemarle County Airport Road mail processing center.
Politics
Newport News Del. Hamilton resigns House seat | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Del. Phillip Hamilton, R-Newport News, resigned his seat in the House of Delegates at midnight today.
Online ads in Va. gubernatorial race ‘set the standard’ | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The day before the Nov. 3 election, Bob McDonnell’s campaign paid Google about $39,000 to saturate computers in Virginia and Washington with banner ads promoting the candidate.
Va. House Democratic caucus elects leaders | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The Virginia House of Delegates’ Democratic caucus has elected new leadership for the 2010 General Assembly session.
Indian community focuses on political action in the state | The Fairfax Times
Some members of Fairfax County’s Indian-American community are making an effort to see that their concerns are heard in Richmond.
Fairfax Dems argue against “single-party government” in Senate election | The Washington Examiner
The rise of Ken Cuccinelli to Virginia attorney general sets up a contest for a Fairfax County state Senate seat that Democrats hope will strengthen their flimsy majority in the chamber.
Local
Fiscal outlook grim for 2 Fairfax agencies | The Washington Post
Fairfax County parks and libraries appear to face the deepest budget cuts among county agencies as officials begin the process of slashing jobs and programs next year to make up another projected multimillion-dollar shortfall.
F.C.’s Budget Woes | The Falls Church News-Press
One by one, Falls Church City Council members were summoned to City Manager Wyatt Shields’ office at City Hall last weekend for a behind-closed-doors introduction to just how bad the upcoming Fiscal Year 2011 budget might be.
Problems persist in RRHA voucher program as agency’s role is debated | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
When Anthony Scott took interim control of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority in 2006, departing Executive Director Sheila Hill-Christian had a word of warning about its housing-voucher program for needy families.
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