Cumberland County schools receive waiver from SOL reading test

Cumberland County schools has received a waiver of SOL reading score requirements from the Commonwealth Department of Education as part of a move to receive federal funds to try raising the scores. A Reading Specialist is now at the Cumberland Elementary School to begin teaching in the effort. The school division is facing a nearly …

Immigrant prison Cuccinelli helped still looking for escapee

The Immigration Centers of America facility in Farmville was missing two of their detainees earlier this week. As of this writing, there is still one missing. This is the facility that Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli bragged about not too long ago at a Chamber of Commerce lunch in Farmville. Instead of being part of the …

Cumberland Supervisor sued by constituents over back taxes, Judge recuses self

Cumberland County 5th District Supervisor Parker Wheeler is being sued by his 5th District constituents over a delinquent tax bill that came to light earlier this year. A retired judge from the 14th Circuit Court has been appointed after the judge from the 10th Circuit Court recused himself and the rest of the judges on …

Cuccinelli brags about “cutting red tape” for Farmville immigrant prison

(Some of the following information comes from a newspaper report in the Farmville Herald.) During remarks to the Farmville Chamber of Commerce recently, candidate for Governor Ken Cuccinelli claimed to have some influence in "cutting red tape" for the immigrant detention center/prison built in Farmville a few years ago. "He went to the head of …

Battle over getting a slice of Federal employees health care dollars heats up

Kaiser Health Foundation wrote recently that two of the largest providers of health insurance to federal employees, retirees and dependents are in a battle to scoop as many people up as they can in an effort to increase profit, I am sure. Also, Obamacare is changing the way things are done, and insurers are ready …

AAAU publishes gender gap statistics by state

The American Association of University Women (AAAU) has published a set of statistics on the subject of the gender gap in pay in this country. The figure for Virginia (pdf) is 78 cents on the dollar. That's $0.78 earned by a woman while a man earned a dollar. For doing the same work. The most …

Broadband project in Nelson County out of money

A project that was supposed to bring better internet to the residents of Nelson County is out of funds. The funds were obtained through a Federal grant to provide "middle-mile" construction. The final portion of the construction that will connect to the new internet line costs in excess of $1,000. These fees may be shocking …

5th CD: Hudson, two other longtime members step down

Fred Hudson, longtime chair of the 5th Congressional District, has decided to step down from that post, effective last month. Hudson has duties with the DNC and wanted to make sure that the 5th District Committee was getting the attention it needs. In addition, two other longtime members will be stepping down as of the …

Cumberland Bits and Pieces

Several items to report about Cumberland County. The Supervisor from Election District 5 is being asked to answer questions about a Federal tax debt that he owes. Parker Wheeler, who previously had been a member of the Zoning Commission, was urged by some citizens to resign. The lien was discovered in Prince Edward County. Wheeler …

Study: Danville least wealthy area in the country

A recent study of census figures shows that the Danville area, near the North Carolina border, is the least wealthy area in the country. The ravages of the poor economy for years have take their toll on this entire area. This study by the Commonwealth shows many of the problems facing Danville. (These studies are …