http://wchv.com Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:01:30 EST en-us <div style=""><span style="">(WCHV) Governor Bob McDonnell signs two bills Wednesday hoping to make the commonwealth the energy capital of the east coast </span></div> <div style=""><span style=""><br /> Officials say McDonnell signed house bills 787 and 756, to allow for offshore oil and natural gas exploration, production and development, as well as allocating 80 percent of future offshore royalties and revenues to transportation. They say the remaining 20 percent will go to the Virginia coastal energy research consortium. </span><span style="">Officials say offshore drilling is still not a done deal because approval must later come from the federal government. </span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:42:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has directed state agencies to not discriminate against gays</span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="">Officials say mcdonnell&rsquo;s directive Wednesday came amid a public uproar over attorney general Kenneth Cuccinelli&rsquo;s letter last week telling public colleges they lack authority to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. </span><span style="">They say cuccinelli told colleges to rescind or change any anti discrimination policies that include protection for gays. </span><span style="">Officials say the letter was denounced by gay rights groups and democrats. They say in the letter, cuccinelli says colleges cannot include gays in their anti discrimination policies without general assembly authorization. </span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:39:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div style=""><span style="">(WCHV) Charlottesville</span><span style=""> Police say they are investigating a hardware store break in </span></div> <div><br /> <span style="">Police say the early morning breaking and entering incident happened at a local hardware store in the 900 block of preston avenue. </span><span style="">Meadowbrook hardware owner bobby Irving says when he open the store Wednesday morning, he found the glass on the front door broken and money on the floor inside. Irving says he is not certain how much cash was stolen, but he doesn&rsquo;t believe the burglar left with any stolen hardware. </span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:36:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) Fire Investigators say faulty electrical wiring could be to blame for a late night house fire in Greene County </span></div> <div><span style=""><br /> Officials say the fire happened in the town of Quinque around ten Tuesday night. They say everyone inside was able to get outside safely. Investigators believe the fire might have started in the attic.&nbsp;</span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:44:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(wchv) Charlottesville</span><span style=""> school superintendent has been named regional superintendent of the year </span></div> <div><span style=""><br /> Officials say Dr. Rosa Atkins has been named as the 2011 regional superintendent of the year for region five of the Virginia association of school superintendents. They say atkins was selected by a committee of professional colleagues based on her exemplary leadership, vision and collaboration with the Charlottesville school division and community. </span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:46:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) Virginia General Assembly is the first in the nation to approve legislation that bucks federal health care reforms by <br /> banning mandatory health insurance coverage </span></div> <div><span style=""><br /> Officials say the House of Delegates voted 80-17 Wednesday to accept senate amendments to a bill that supporters say preserves Virginia&rsquo;s prerogatives as a state. </span><span style="">They say the measure will now go to governor bob McDonnell&rsquo;s desk. </span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:52:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-Newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) Greenbrier and Johnson elementary schools have been honored as title 1 distinguished schools </span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="">Officials say both schools have been recognized as a title 1 distinguished school for meeting federal benchmarks in reading and mathematics, maintaining full accreditation for two consecutive years and having mean test scores for both English and mathematics at the 60^th percentile or higher. They say the awards are based on student achievement on state assessments during the 2008-9 and the previous school year. </span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:54:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) The Virginia State Senate passed two bills by delegate rob bell to safeguard the rights of crime victims </span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="">Officials say house bill 921 would require the retention of social service records for 25 years, where the records concern a founded complaint of child sexual abuse that resulted in serious harm to a child. </span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="">Officials say house bill 913 would require prison officials to create policies to allow crime victims to visit the inmate who hurt them. They say such visits will not be allowed when the offender has been sentenced to death and policies will ensure the safety of both parties and the good order of the facility. </span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="">Officials say both bills have already passed the Virginia house of delegates and they will now be transmitted to governor bob McDonnell for consideration. </span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:57:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) The Virginia State Senate has endorsed two bills by Delegate Rob Bell </span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="">Officials say house bill 907 would give school officials additional information about school related crimes. they say as amended, the bill would allow law enforcement to provide district superintendents with the final sentencing order for juvenile offenses that occurred on school property, on school buses or at school sponsored activities. Officials say the sentencing order would include information like probation terms, school attendance requirements and specific provisions like avoiding contact with victims or co defendants. they say Albemarle county schools supported the bill. </span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="">officials say house bill 927 would enable a judge to place a nonviolent offender on immediate sanction probation. they say under this program, an offender would be immediately brought back to court for probation violations with the judge able to give out penalties for each violation. Officials say the senate amended the bill to only apply as a pilot project with the a requirement that the program be re evaluated after 18 months. </span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="">Officials say once the Virginia House of Delegates accepts the senate amendments, both measures will be sent to governor bob mcdonnell for his approval. they say if signed into law, they will take effect on july first. </span></div> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:59:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <font size="2" face="Courier New">(Metro)&nbsp;As of Monday, Virginia Commonwealth University police say they're no closer to locating a missing foreign exchange student.&nbsp; Police say 22-year-old Jonathan S. Dorey, from the University of the West of England, was last seen riding his bicycle away from Gladding Residence Center last Tuesday at 11:19 a.m.&nbsp; Dorey is described as a white male with brown hair, around five-feet-ten, 180 pounds and wearing glasses.&nbsp; Investigators say Dorey was also riding a black mountain bike with a red stripe in the middle of the seat.&nbsp; Anyone with information about Dorey's whereabouts is asked to contact VCU police at 804-828-1196.&nbsp; </font><br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:16:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-From-The-WCHV-Newsroom/4192892 <font size="2" face="Courier New">(Metro)&nbsp;A fight that closed down Fashion Square mall on Friday night was apparently he result of a pre-arranged meeting between students from rival high schools.&nbsp; Mall officials say the students apparently used the Internet to arrange the meeting which led to a fight that started in the parking lot and caused a commotion in the mall when police showed up and the teens ran in the shopping center.&nbsp; The mall says it may bring in off-duty police officers to keep order and mall security is in communication with local school resource officers. </font><br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:12:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-From-The-WCHV-Newsroom/4192892 <font size="2" face="Courier New">(METRO)&nbsp;Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's three education reform proposals have the approval of the state Senate.&nbsp; One bill would give charter school applicants the ability to ask the state Board of Education for help when dealing with a local school board.&nbsp; A second measure would lead to virtual classes for public school students.&nbsp; A third bill would help in establishing college partnership lab schools.&nbsp; All three of the Republican governor's bills passed fairly easily despite the Democratic majority in the state Senate. </font><br /> <br /> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:04:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-From-The-WCHV-Newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) The man who robbed and attacked an elderly woman at a Buckingham County store has been sentenced </span></div> <div><span style=""><br /> Officials say Malcolm Mosley will serve five years in prison and will be put on probation when he gets out. Store owner larry baber says he is thankful that he bought the security system that lead to his arrest. </span></div> <div><b><span style=""><object height="24" width="220" id="audioplayer1" data="http://imgsrv.wchv.com/image/single_flash_player/audio_player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> <param value="http://imgsrv.wchv.com/image/single_flash_player/audio_player.swf" name="movie" /> <param value="soundFile=http://podcast.wchv.com/wchv/2260761.mp3" name="FlashVars" /> <param value="high" name="quality" /> <param value="false" name="menu" /> <param value="transparent" name="wmode" /></object><br /> </span></b></div> <div><span style="">Baber says his 78 year old mother hasn&rsquo;t been the same since the robbery, but he hopes this will bring her closure. </span></div> <div><span style="">Officials say mosley could face up to 25 years in prison if he violates his probation. </span></div> <br /> Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:57:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) A jury has sentenced a Louisa county man to serve two life terms for abusing a child </span></div> <div><span style=""><br /> Prosecutors say 50 year old Clevis Conn was found guilty of three sex offences that occurred during two assaults in 2008. They say conn had previously been convicted of murder and other sex offences. Officials say the jury wants conn to serve consecutive life sentences in prison with no possibility for parole. </span></div> <br /> Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:54:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">The search is on to replace retiring Madison County schools superintendent Brenda tanner </span></div> <div><span style=""><br /> The school board says they know what kind of leader they are looking for </span></div> <div><b><span style=""><object height="24" width="220" type="&quot;application/x-shockwave-flash&quot;" data="&quot;http://imgsrv.wchv.com/image/single_flash_player/audio_player.swf&quot;" id="&quot;audioplayer1&quot;"> <param name="&quot;movie&quot;" value="&quot;http://imgsrv.wchv.com/image/single_flash_player/audio_player.swf&quot;" /> <param name="&quot;FlashVars&quot;" value="&quot;soundFile=http://podcast.wchv.com/wchv/2260753.mp3&quot;" /> <param name="&quot;quality&quot;" value="&quot;high&quot;" /> <param name="&quot;menu&quot;" value="&quot;false&quot;" /> <param name="&quot;wmode&quot;" value="&quot;transparent&quot;" /></object><br /> </span></b></div> <div><span style="">That&rsquo;s board chair jeff early. School board officials say they held a private meeting Tuesday to go over applications with the Virginia school board association. They say the board will determine who they feel is appropriate to interview and they will go from there. Early says the board hopes to name a new superintendent by may. </span></div> <div><span style=""><br /> Fluvanna County school officials are also looking to replace retiring superintendent Tom Smith. They say smith&rsquo;s last day will be june 30^th. </span></div> <br /> Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:52:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <div><span style="">(WCHV) Albemarle</span><span style=""> County</span><span style=""> Police increase security at the fashion square mall after last Friday night&rsquo;s fight among teenagers </span></div> <div><span style=""><br /> Police say the fight was not gang related but they will have more police presence at the mall. Police say they will keep a watch over the back entrance near the cts bus stop where the fight took place. They say the investigation is ongoing and police are working closely with Albemarle county schools in handling the case. </span></div> <br /> Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:46:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892 <p><span style="" new=""><font size="3">(WCHV) A parliamentary maneuver yesterday in the House of Delegates will&nbsp; prevent the General Laws Committee from reconsidering a bill to include gays in the state's anti-discrimination policy.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p> <p><span style="" new=""><font size="3">The maneuver follows an opinion issued last week in which Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said the state's <st1:place w:st="&quot;on&quot;"><st1:placename w:st="&quot;on&quot;">public</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="&quot;on&quot;">colleges</st1:placetype></st1:place> and universities do not have the authority to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation because the General Assembly has not authorized them to do so. Unlike his two immediate predecessors, McDonnell has not issued an executive order barring discrimination based on sexual orientation.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p> <p><span style="" new=""><font size="3">Organizers at <st1:place w:st="&quot;on&quot;"><st1:placename w:st="&quot;on&quot;">Virginia</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="&quot;on&quot;">Commonwealth</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="&quot;on&quot;">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> are planning a protest rally that they expect will draw a thousand participants tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p> Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:19:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-From-The-WCHV-Newsroom/4192892 <p><span new="" style="&quot;text-transform: "><font size="&quot;3&quot;">(Metro)&nbsp;Dominion Resources Inc. wants to reduce its work force by about 6 percent through buyouts.&nbsp;A</font></span><span new="" style="&quot;text-transform: "><font size="&quot;3&quot;"> spokesperson says The energy company expects that about 1,000 of the 4,800 employees eligible for its voluntary separation package will take advantage of the program. Richmond-based Dominion is the parent company of Dominion <st1:state w:st="&quot;on&quot;"><st1:place w:st="&quot;on&quot;">Virginia</st1:place></st1:state> Power. the company has been quietly pushing the plan companywide in an effort to save money during the recession. The energy company has 17,000 employees, with about 10,000 working in <st1:state w:st="&quot;on&quot;"><st1:place w:st="&quot;on&quot;">Virginia</st1:place></st1:state>.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p> Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:15:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-From-The-WCHV-Newsroom/4192892 <div style="&quot;margin: "><span style="&quot;text-transform: ">(METRO)&nbsp;A make-shift, tea party-like rally occurred on the steps of the state Capitol yesterday.&nbsp; About 300 people turned out for the protest. they hoped to pressure the General Assembly to overturn hiked taxes and fees proposed in the state budget.&nbsp; The Senate calls for balancing the budget with over 200-million-dollars in fees, imposed on services such as lawsuits and other legal business.&nbsp; Meanwhile, the House of Delegates has only agreed to 76-million-dollars in fees. </span></div> Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:12:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-From-The-WCHV-Newsroom/4192892 <span new="" style="&quot;text-transform: ">(Metro)&nbsp;The <st1:place w:st="&quot;on&quot;"><st1:state w:st="&quot;on&quot;">Virginia</st1:state></st1:place> Senate Courts of Justice Committee has rejected a House of Delegates version of a bill that would have expanded death penalty eligibility to include accomplices and accessories to the murder of a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; The panel did, however, approve expanding the death penalty for the murder of fire marshals and auxiliary police officers.&nbsp; Both measures now move to the full Senate.</span> Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:08:00 EST http://wchv.com/The-Latest-From-The-WCHV-Newsroom/4192892