Daily Bacon's | October 27, 2009

Today’s Topics

• Energy
• Transportation
• Crime
• Education
• Agriculture
• Economy
• Legal
• Local

Energy

North Anna reactor shut down because of leaks | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

One of the two nuclear reactors at Dominion Virginia Power’s North Anna Power Station remained shut down yesterday because of what the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission called “an unusual event.”

Company, researchers design ‘Blade Runner 5000’ turbine | The Daily Progress

A Charlottesville company and researchers at the University of Virginia are designing a new turbine that they anticipate will be capable of harnessing wind power across Virginia.

Regional Commission to direct Virginia Energy Efficiency Grant program | The Star City Harbinger

Roanoke, VA – The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission announces that the Commission will be one of 21 Planning District Commissions to administer a local share of $9.7 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) funds. The funds will be distributed on a competitive basis to eligible local governments. The Commission will administer the program and assist localities in the development of proposals, which will be ranked and awarded by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

Transportation

VDOT project to add I-81 truck-climbing lane | The News Leader

LEXINGTON — With noisy trucks passing north and south on average every 10 seconds, local and state officials joined the Virginia Department of Transportation in a ground-breaking ceremony Monday on a hill overlooking Interstate 81 to tout a $74.2 million project to add a truck-climbing lane.

Crime

In N.Va., mixed news about gang activity | The Washington Post

Serious gang-related crime in Northern Virginia has dropped since 2004, but officials are concerned that middle schools are emerging as epicenters of gang activity and recruitment, according to a report from the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force.

Five correctional officers charged in dog fondling | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Five Virginia Department of Corrections officers have been charged with animal cruelty involving the fondling of a K-9 dog and videotaping the two incidents.

Portsmouth gang leader again faces death penalty | The Virginia Pilot

The Justice Department has decided to again seek the death penalty against Richard Thomas Stitt, a Portsmouth gang leader convicted of ordering the murders of three men, prosecutors announced Monday.

Education

JMU students charged for reporting news | The Washington Post

Two university students are facing trespassing and disorderly conduct charges after they entered a campus dormitory to interview students for a news article.

City school district hosts meeting on option of reworking grade levels | The Daily Progress

The Charlottesville schools will host a meeting today to narrow the possible options for reconfiguring its grades.

UVa mulls honor changes for shipboard students | The Daily Progress

The University of Virginia’s Honor Committee is facing a dilemma: How should it treat students who sort of are and sort of are not part of the university community?

CCPS to seek state bonds for CCHS project | The Star Exponent

The Culpeper County School Board wants to take Gov. Tim Kaine up on his recent bond authorizations offer to help begin the renovation project at Culpeper County High School.

Agriculture

Fast-growing plant vitex banned as Va. officials hunt for its locations | The Virginia Pilot

Selling and transporting a tough plant from Asia that crowds out native species is now illegal in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and the Eastern Shore.

Economy

Franklin mill closure definite, company spokesman says | The Virginia Pilot

International Paper Co.’s decision is final: The paper mill outside Franklin will close in the spring, eliminating 1,100 jobs, a spokesman said Monday night.

NewVa Capital helps firm relocate to Blacksburg | The Roanoke Times

NewVa Capital Partners in Radford said it has invested $2.5 million in a Blacksburg company that intends to commercialize a germicidal light treatment for nail and skin infections.

Virginia Commerce Bank loses $31M | Washington Business Journal

Virginia Commerce Bancorp Inc. posted its third straight quarter in the red in the third quarter of 2009 as it accelerated an aggressive campaign to clean up its struggling loan portfolio.

Legal

Slip-and-fall case decided by order | Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog

The Supreme Court of Virginia probably thinks it has written enough on slip and fall cases that Garlick v. Safeway, Record No. 082469, doesn’t merit more than an unpublished order reinstating a case that had been dismissed on a motion to strike.

Proposed jury secrecy rule revised | Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog

The Advisory Committee on Rules of Court has backed off from its original proposal to have jurors in criminal court identified only by number as a matter of course.

Local

Unions Launch Drive to Change Form of County Government | The Sun Gazette

Arlington: The county’s fire union, aided by the police union, will use Election Day as a kickoff for a drive to fundamentally change the county’s government structure for the first time in nearly 80 years.

Residents ask to do Covington-Alleghany County merger | The Roanoke Times

Residents in Covington and Alleghany County who want their two governments to merge are asking a judge to let citizens hammer out a consolidation plan because city and county officials have failed to come to terms.

Richmond-area merchants make adjustments before holidays | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

After a very slow 2008 holiday shopping season and lackluster expectations for 2009, retailers are shifting their strategies to better attract shoppers.

RRHA says it may need $600,000 loan | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority expects to need a smaller city loan than initially thought to prop up its housing-voucher program.

Is Richmond putting city workers at risk? | WTVR

RICHMOND – Is the City of Richmond putting employees at risk, by making them work inside a with asbestos problems?

Charlottesville gets award for success in downtown area | The Daily Progress

The Virginia Downtown Development Association will present an award to the Charlottesville government for the business development, promotion and marketing of its downtown area.

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