.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Today's News

  • Concerts slated for Lake area

    Last year, the board of supervisors rezoned land in Moneta to clear the way for a a proposed amphitheater. Although construction has not yet started, people looking for the quality entertainment that the amphitheater's developer has promised to bring to the area will have something this summer. The developer, Sweetwater Entertainment Group, will bring seven concerts to the Smith Mountain Lake area in August.

    Click here to read more...
  • FEMA study may be in error

    A recent study by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), that moved a thousand parcels to a higher flood risk zone, may have been in error.

    Click here to read more...
  • VDGIF urges safety on the Lake

    Local law enforcement officials are hoping boaters at Smith Mountain Lake will play it safe this summer.

    At least for the July 4th weekend, that seems to be happening.

    Only two boating mishaps were reported by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries over the weekend ? one occurred just after a boating safety event was held for local media representatives and the second in the early morning hours Monday.

    "The weekend was very safe," noted Lt. Tony Fisher of VDGIF. "It was a very safe (weekend) as far as boat wrecks go."

    Click here to read more...
  • Summer's bummers: beach bummers

    While Mike and I were sitting on our balcony at Virginia Beach last week, watching the breakers and some really poorly-played volleyball, it occurred to me that time spent at the ocean brings a bumper crop o’ bummers. Since Mike was all sad about the less-than-impressive response to my plea for guest writers, once again, I am rescuing him (and me) from the resultant bad mood. Please, PLEASE help me!

    Click here to read more...
  • Wanted: rec league umpires

    Wondering how you might be able to stay connected to a sport you love beyond lying on the couch while watching Baseball Night on ESPN? Feel you’re not quite ready to go all-in for beer-league softball?

    Perhaps umpiring is the ticket.

    “I would like to have more umpires,” stated Harry “H Tee” Thompson, who is in charge of athletic programming for Bedford City Parks and Recreation. “You cannot have too many of them.”

    Click here to read more...
  • Commentary: Food fight

    Let’s suppose you’re a farmer, if you already aren’t.

    Let’s further suppose that you are having difficulty getting water for your farm. Because the creek that ran past your land was diverted or the water table dropped, you are not able to get that precious H2O anymore. Trucking it in is cost prohibitive.

    You are reduced to watching helplessly as your crops wither in the fields. Even your livestock are threatened.

    Click here to read more...
  • Commentary: I'm not catching Olympic fever

    Are you having as hard a time getting excited about the upcoming summer Olympics as I am? What’s worse, I doubt that when the games kick off on August 8, I will have shed my cloak of disinterest.

    If you’re in the same boat as I am, I’d like to share with you the three reasons for my Olympic-sized doldrums.

    First, there is no villain here to root against. Many of you recall the good old days of cheering against the Russians or, as they were known back then, the Soviets.

    Click here to read more...
  • The Supreme Court's decision last week to uphold an individual's right to bear arms should cause those pushing for gun control to refocus their efforts

    Those who hold the sanctity of one's right to bear arms can breath a sigh of relief after last week's ruling by the United States Supreme Court affirming that right.

    The 5-4 decision struck down a ban of handguns in the District of Columbia. If there was any troubling aspect to the ruling, it was that the vote was so close. One vote made all the difference. That shows how important those justice appointments by the President of the United States are.

    Click here to read more...
  • Letters

    Shaquille O'Neal will lose his special deputy's badge in Maricopa County because of language he used in a rap video that mocks former teammate Kobe Bryant.

    Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the Phoenix Suns center's use of racially derogatory word and other foul language left him no choice. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy in January and promoted him to colonel of his largely ceremonial posse earlier this month.

    Click here to read more...
  • Striving for energy independence

    As we approach the height of the summer travel season, families must factor in a much higher cost for gasoline. It is becoming evident that many families are being forced to either cancel their summer travel plans or at the very least limit much of their activity to an area closer to home. With every passing day, as gasoline surpasses $4 a gallon, our dangerous dependence on foreign oil grows more and more apparent.

    Click here to read more...