Virginia's Wine Industry Grows More Profitable
<font size="2">(Metro) Virginia's wine industry is growing again. Governor Bob McDonnell's office said yesterday that Virginia wine sold a record five-point-five-million bottles last year, an increase of 11-percent over 2010. The governor's office added that the wine industry has increased its impact on the Virginia economy to 750-million-dollars a year, doubling its contribution from 2005 to 2010. The state will play host to one of the wine industry's largest trade shows, Wineries Unlimited, this coming March. </font><br />
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New Dominion Power Plant Approved By SCC
<font size="2">(Metro)The State Corporation Commission is giving Dominion Power the go ahead to build a new electrical power station in Warren County. The SCC announced yesterday that the company could proceed with the one-point-one-billion-dollar project near Front Royal. The commission also announced approval of a fee to pay for the plant which will be added to Dominion Power bills beginning April 1st. The natural gas-fired plant is expected to begin power generation in 2014. </font><br />
FEMA Awards Funding To Rebuild Louisa Elementary School
<font size="2">(Metro) FEMA is awarding three-point-two-million-dollars in disaster assistance to Louisa County to help rebuild Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, which was badly damaged in last August's earthquake. The total cost of replacing the school is estimated at 13-point-seven-million-dollars, but nine-point-four-million of that amount is covered by insurance. FEMA will pay three-quarters of the rest of the needed funding.</font>
VA Senate Postpones Final Gun Limit Vote Until Monday
<font size="2">(Metro) The Virginia Senate has postponed a final vote on a measure that would repeal the state's limit on purchasing only one gun per-month. According to the "Washington Post" the action was taken to give two senators who were absent Friday, a chance to vote on the bill this Monday. In the past, similar measures to remove the gun limit passed in the Republican-led House, but died in Senate committees which were controlled by Democrats and more moderate Republicans. </font><br />
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Virginia House Passes Bill Allowing Primary Write-In Votes
<font size="2">(Metro) Responding to this year's controversy in the Virginia Republican presidential primary, the Virginia House of Delegates is giving preliminary approval to a bill which would allow voters to write in names on the ballot. On March 6th, voters will only have a choice of Mitt Romney or Ron Paul because the other candidates failed to produce enough valid signatures and write-in votes are not permitted. A final vote on the measure is expected today and then the measure will head to the state Senate. The bill also moves the primary date for federal offices to the date of the presidential primary in presidential election years. </font><br />
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Big Developments in Huguely Murder Case Days Before Trial
The murder trial of George Huguely begins Monday, Feb. 6. On Friday, a Charlottesville judge ruled that graphic photos of a bloodied and badly beaten Yeardley Love can be shown in court as evidence.
Student-run Online Auction to Help with Rotunda Repairs
It's a 19th-century building that needs 21st-century repairs, and that's why some University of Virginia students are coming together to save the famous Rotunda by launching a new online auction website.
Alpha Natural Resources To Reduce Coal Production
Coal company Alpha Natural Resources says that production will be reduced at some of its operations in central Appalachia due to decreased demand.
Judge: No Prayers Before Pittsylvania Co. Meetings
A federal judge is barring the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors from opening meetings with Christian prayers until a lawsuit challenging the practice is settled.
