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Court throws out suit challenging Augusta County assessments

An Augusta County Circuit Court threw out a suit brought by Francis Chester, a Churchville lawyer who was attempting to have the county's 2009 real estate reassessments overturned. The ruling effectively ends Chester's effort, he said: "The court has made its decision and at this particular point the people are not going to have their day in court, which has been my goal," Chester said. "But this is the court's decision, so I'm putting an end to the case. I've taken it as far as I can, and there is not much more to do."

Property assessments are of keen interest to homeowners, as tax bills are based on the assessed values of homes.

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to provide summer meals for children

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will provide 25 feeding sites over the summer for children at risk of going hungry in Augusta and Rockingham counties, and the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg. The organization expects to serve 2,312 children this summer, a 21% increase over last year.

The Summer Food Service Program is designed to reach children who may not get nutritious meals at home over the summer, particularly students who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year.

Programs like this can help lessen the impact of the difficult economy on children and their families.

Local governments dig deep to balance their budgets

Local agencies -- from schools to cooperative extension offices -- are feeling the pinch as cities and counties work to balance their budgets. Homeowners will also feel the pinch, through higher taxes, fewer services, or both.

Local governments in Virginia making tough decisions to balance budgets

Statewide, counties and cities are pulling out all the stops to find the funds needed to keep their schools and government services up and running. Some are cutting jobs and salaries, many are cutting back on programs, and others are looking for extra money in unusual places.

Read more in the local news outlets below:

York School Board passes $115 million budget Monday night (Daily Press)

Beach weighs options to save ailing golf courses (The Virginian-Pilot)

Roanoke tries to cut $10 million from city budget (The Roanoke Times)

Clearbrook fire and rescue station would welcome $93,600 (The Roanoke Times)

Pittsylvania County Supervisors talk finances (The Danville Register & Bee)

Campbell Co. School Board approves budget with school closure, job cuts (Lynchburg News & Advance)

County, school leaders get down to numbers in Bedford (The Lynchburg News & Advance)

Overtime debated, fees considered by Augusta supervisors (The Waynesboro News Virginian)

Public hearing tomorrow on Goochland County budget issues (The Goochland Gazette)

County, schools get additional $1 million (Mechanicsville Local)

School board OKs budget with 12 staff cuts (Amherst New Era Progress)

Early retirements will aid Washington County school budget (Bristol Herald Courier)

County proposes position, capital project cuts (The Staunton News Leader)

Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 1:16pm

Local officials struggle to save jobs, programs while balancing budgets

County and city governments across Virginia are grappling with budget shortfalls made worse by declining support from the commonwealth. The choices they make -- to cut programs or raise property taxes -- affect homeowners' bottom lines in a tough economy.

Budget woes continue as Virginia cities and counties decide how to spread the pain

Counties and cities across Virginia continue to struggle with budget issues of whether and where to cut funds in school budgets, city services, and employee benefits -- or whether it makes sense to raise taxes.

School budgets continue to dominate local headlines

School districts across Virginia are pressing officials for more money. Homeowners may feel torn between the need to keep taxes low in a tough economy and keeping the quality of local schools -- and their property values -- high. Read more from the local press....

York school board will ask county for more money (The Daily Press)

Schools chief not proposing to pay, middle school athletics (The Lynchburg News and Advance)

Augusta schools budget decision delayed (The Waynesboro News Virginian)

Council: It's too soon to tell if more funds possible for schools (Martinsville Bulletin)

Danville schools could lose 46 positions (The Danville Register and Bee)

Parents rally to save youth sports in Pittsylvania County (The Danville Register and Bee)

Posted on Friday, March 19, 2010 - 12:53pm

School districts across the commonwealth consider their options

School boards and the officials that report to them are rolling up their sleeves in preparation for battles and tough decisions. The state budget, passed on Sunday, included $253 million in cuts to public education. School districts now must decide where those cuts will be felt.

Read more about how local districts are handling the pinch....

Education budget: some ease despite cuts (The Virginian-Pilot)

School funding formula benefits Northern Virginia but not other areas (The Washington Post)

Local school districts will see $79 million less from the state in 2011 (The Daily Press)

Roanoke schools may cut 146 positions (The Roanoke Times)

Franklin Co. to discuss school budget (The Roanoke Times)

Budget cuts assessed (Martinsville Bulletin)

What impact will the new state budget have on local schools? (The Lynchburg News & Advance)

Plans pit Gladys school closure against employee pay cut (The Lynchburg News & Advance)

Some layoffs likely for Amherst schools (The Lynchburg News & Advance)

State education aid figures unclear (The Staunton News Leader)

Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 11:32am

Augusta Residents Fret About State Cuts to Come

Some Augusta County residents recently attended a town hall meeting and asked legislators to protect the area from budget cuts, according to The News Leaders.

The residents were concerned about budget cuts affecting transportation, education, public health and Gov. Tim Kaine's recommendation to shut down the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.

Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, will host two other town hall meetings for the 25th District: Saturday 9-10:30 a.m. at the Elkton Area Community Center, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Crozet Public Library.

Landes also encouraged residents to attend one of the public hearing the state is hosting to get input on the budget. The closest meeting to the area will be conducted at noon Thursday at Grafton-Stovall Theatre at James Madison University.

"Local residents questioned state spending priorities during a town hall meeting Tuesday and asked legislators to shelter this area as much as possible from budget cuts.

More than 65 people attended the session hosted by Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, at Augusta County's Government Center to discuss proposed state cuts and the upcoming General Assembly session, which convenes next week. Residents voiced opinions supporting a range of budget priorities, including mental health, public education and transportation projects."

Read the full story.

Posted on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 - 11:38pm

Officials Break Ground on Western State in Staunton

The groundbreaking ceremony for Western State Hospital was recently held, according to The News Leader.

The new mental health facility will bring new jobs to the area and boost the local economy.

Homeowners can appreciate this type of growth that will draw more professionals into the area.

"Mirroring reforms in the field of mental health, Western State Hospital will once again get a major overhaul.

State and local officials, including Gov. Tim Kaine, were on hand Tuesday morning for the official groundbreaking ceremony for a $125 million replacement hospital. The new 246-bed hospital will be constructed on a 66-acre site adjacent to the existing facility and is scheduled to open by spring 2013.

'It represents a real step forward in the way mental health issues are addressed and mental health is treated in Virginia,' Kaine said. 'This new facility really matches up with the right way to deal with mental health issues.'

The hospital, which opened in 1950, was built to house 1,800 patients and served more than 3,000 patients at its peak usage during the 1960s. Jack Barber, director of Western State Hospital, however, said recent changes to mental health care have made long-term hospitalization far less necessary."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, December 3, 2009 - 11:43pm