Today's News

Following some funding cuts to outside agencies, Bedford City Council passed a budget last week that eliminated a proposed increase to the real estate tax rate.

Council was considering raising the real estate tax rate by 3 cents, but the approved budget keeps the rate at 81 cents per $100 of valuation. Most outside agencies, however, will see their funding cut by 50 percent. Also eliminated from the budget was a proposed $1 increase to the city refuse collection fee.

I blame Whitney Houston.

Having witnessed yet another flagellation of the National Anthem, I can bite my tongue no longer. We have sunk to the level where we find it perfectly acceptable to allow the wanton butchering of the song that is supposed to be the one piece of music that we, as a people, have in common. Francis Scott Key did not intend his masterpiece to be countrified, romanticized, urbanized or salsasized.

Student-athletes from across the county saw their efforts pay off when the Bedford Rotary Club presented its 13th annual awards last Tuesday evening.

The event, which was held at the Liberty High School auditorium showcased numerous athletes from all three high schools in 21 distinct sports.

The Grand Awards, given to the top male and female scholar athletes of the year, were also presented.

Senior after senior crossed the threshold Saturday from high school student to graduate ? some 700 total in Bedford County.

Each leaves their respective schools with different memories. Each enters the next phase of their life with varying expectations and dreams.

To the success they celebrated Saturday, we offer our congratulations. To the future they now embrace we add our hopes for success. To the the journey that's ahead we say: "Don't waste this opportunity."