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Officials consider options for Roanoke County's Explore Park

The Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority, which governs the 1,100-acre Virginia Explore Park, was presented with possible plans for the park on Tuesday. New plans are needed because would-be developer Larry Vander Maten was unable to find funding for a planned family resort.

The proposals include generating funds through rentals, leases, and program fees, reopening a historic area, and opening an adventure park, a bike center, campgrounds, and cabins. Also under consideration are a river walkway, a riverside pavilion, and an amphitheater.

Successful development of Explore Park would provide residents in nearby counties with new recreation opportunities, and would also enhance the area's image as a destination for people who love the outdoors. Homeowners could find the value of their properties increasing as a result of the stimulated local economy.

Roanoke home sales up over last year

Roanoke-area home sales rose 14% in April over last year, likely a result of buyers rushing to sign housing contracts in time to qualify for federal tax credits.

According to the Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors, 328 area homes were sold during the month, compared with 287 in April 2009. The average price of a house also rose, to $182,471, up from $176,964 in April 2009, the association said.

Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 11:53am

With good schools and low taxes on their minds, Virginia's counties and cities are balancing budgets

Schools across the commonwealth are trimming their budgets where they can, even as they plead with county and city boards to provide more funds. Local government officials are left with the difficult task of balancing the needs of the schools -- and other departments -- with the urgent call to keep taxes low during the economic downturn.

Local governments deal with budget issues

Schools and governments statewide are dealing with declining revenues, in part due to lower property assessments. There aren't a lot of solutions available to officials -- in general, they have to raise taxes, cut services, or both.

Martin’s to increase workforce

Martin's expects to hire up to 150 new employees as it takes over former Ukrop's stores in the region. Information about salaries has not been released.

An increase in employment is good for the housing market, as it encourages prospective homeowners to make offers and helps current homeowners pay their mortgages, keeping homes out of foreclosure.

Posted on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 10:01pm

Virtual call center to hire 100 in Southwest Virginia

DirecTV is offering a work-at-home employment opportunity to 100 residents of Southwest Virginia. The virtual call center workers will earn $10 an hour plus benefits. One hundred new jobs will be a real boost for the local housing market. The money injected into the economy could be used to buy new homes or avert foreclosure for those homeowners near the brink.

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

School budget decisions made across the state

Counties across the state are finalizing decisions about their school budgets. Read about local outcomes below:

Proposed Richmond budget has no service cuts (The Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Hampton identifies more revenues than originally thought, could reduce budget shortfall (The Daily Press)
Roanoke County school system avoids layoffs (The Roanoke Times)
Franklin County schools budget OK'd (The Roanoke Times)
Increased enrollment co uld lessen budget blows for Appomattox schools (The Lynchburg News & Advance)
City school board set to vote on budget Tuesday (The Lynchburg News & Advance)
School budget approved (The Free-Lance Star)
Spotsy schools to gain $1 mil (The Free-Lance Star)
Will lower taxes create school crisis? (The Charlottesville Daily Progress)
Wise school board considers five options for consolidation (The Kingsport Times-News)
Hatrick hopes for funding reconsideration (Leesburg Today)

Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 3:12pm

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

Appalachian Power Co. asks for 12.8% increase, commission recommends 3%

Appalachian Power Co. wants to raise rates a whopping 12.8%. If the rate hike is permitted, a customer currently paying $105 per month would instead owe $118.44. The State Corporation Commission is recommending that commissioners consider limiting the rate increase to 3%.

Appalachian's 2009 profit from its full service territory, including parts of Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee, totaled $155.81 million.

Read more at The Roanoke Times-Dispatch...

Posted on Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 9:51am