Jacob and Sophia Take Top Honors as Most Popular Baby Names

Jacob and Sophia are America’s most popular baby names for 2011. This is the thirteenth year in a row Jacob tops our list for boys and the first year for Sophia, who knocks Isabella to number two after a two-year stint at the top of our list for girls. There is only one new name [...]

Letter to the Editor – Chesapeake Bay Foundation Supports Spout Run Cleanup

Dear Editor
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation congratulates everyone engaged in the Spout Run watershed cleanup. It takes just such communitywide, public-private partnerships to restore local streams, as all of us contribute in some way to the pollution of our waterways, and all of us can play a role in cleaning them up. The Spout Run partners [...]

Increasing Insect Predator-Friendly Land Can Reduce Farm Costs

Having large tracts of natural habitat surrounding fields increase ladybug populations and help farmers reduce insecticide use. Photo by G.L. Kohuth
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Having natural habitat in farming areas that supports ladybugs could help increase their abundance in crops where they control pests and help farmers reduce their costs, says a Michigan State University [...]

Police Combat Aggressive Driving on Route 9 in Loudoun

Loudoun County, VA –Drivers who travel on Route 9 in Loudoun County will notice an enhanced police presence as officials attempt to stem aggressive driving on the commuter path to and from West Virginia.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police announced a joint effort to combat aggressive driving on Route 9 from [...]

Study Indicates Long Commutes May Be Hazardous to Health

San Diego, CA, May 8, 2012 – As populations move even further away from urban centers, more people spend longer hours behind the wheel on their way to and from work. While sedentary behavior is known to have adverse effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health, the impact of long commutes by automobile are less understood. [...]

Obama Opens Battle for Virginia with Rally in Richmond

Sherese A. Gore – Capital News Service
RICHMOND – President Barack Obama kicked off his re-election bid Saturday with a rally at Virginia Commonwealth University, calling the campaign a “make-or-break moment” for the middle class.
After stumping at Ohio State University, Obama flew to Richmond to address an enthusiastic crowd of about 8,000 supporters at VCU’s Siegel [...]

Purcellville DMV Select Re-opening in a Newly-Renovated Facility

Delegate Randy Minchew recently celebrated and delivered remarks at the grand re-opening of the newly-renovated Purcellville DMV Select on Wednesday, April 25.

Delegate Minchew has long been committed to helping provide better government services for less.  He stated: “The three key nouns to a productive government are – accountability, efficiency and integrity. Providing this type of [...]

VDOE Announces $2.5 Million in Mathematics & Science Partnership Grants

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is awarding grants totaling more than $2.5 million to 11 partnerships between school divisions, colleges and universities to increase content knowledge and sharpen classroom skills of teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – subject areas known collectively as “STEM.”
The awards were made through VDOE’s Mathematics and Science Partnership [...]

Hardworking Scouts Raise Funds Delivering Mulch

By Mark Wiseman
Contrary to recent reports, a group of Boy Scouts did not stage an “Occupy Madden Drive” event on March 31st.  They did use that location in the Hermitage, however, to stage the deliveries for their annual mulch sale.  Troop, Crew, and Pack 500 recently completed their sale by delivering almost 1200 bags of [...]

Epinephrine Policy for Virginia Schools Signed into Law

By Brad Fulton – Capital News Service
Gov. Bob McDonnell signed two bills Thursday requiring schools to stock and administer epinephrine, a drug that could save students having a severe allergic reaction.
McDonnell signed House Bill 1107, sponsored by Delegate Thomas “Tag” Greason, a Republican from Potomac Falls, and Senate Bill 656, introduced by Sen. Donald McEachin, [...]