News

Deer hunting season in Virginia has passed, but there’s another season underway – one that involves a powerful living weapon.

Kevin Markey stands near a cluster of trees in rural Crozet with an eye-catching creature perched on his hand.  Puka is a 5-year-old Harris hawk – two pounds of brown, white and rust feathers, beak, bones, talons – and a persistent call that just won’t quit.

The Virginia House of Delegates is set to vote on a Senate-approved bill that would give pet lovers more assurances that the puppy they bring home becomes a permanent family member … instead of a tragedy or significant financial burden. The Senate bill—also known as "Bailey's Law" in honor of a sick beagle—updates the state's pet "lemon law" and holds pet stores more accountable.

What will it be like to live in the New River Valley over the next twenty years?

Well, that depends on what happens now that a 3 year study on livability in the NRV is complete and ready to be acted upon.  

More than 3,000 people from all over the New River Valley weighed in on which issues they’re most concerned about for the future of this region; including housing, transportation, energy, environment, and cultural assets which define this part of south western Virginia. 

There’s new information on the state of the mental health system in Virginia.

A new report issued by the state’s inspector general reveals that Virginia is spending millions of dollars annually to house mental health patients who no longer qualify or need state care. 

According to the latest report by the Office of the State Inspector General, there are mental health patients occupying beds that could otherwise be used by people requiring emergency or long-term psychiatric care.

If Governor McAuliffe agrees, small farmers could operate agritourism activities under less restrictive regulations … thanks to legislation that has now passed both houses of the General Assembly.  The new law would prohibit local governments from requiring special-use permits and imposing stringent noise regulations unless there’s a substantial impact on public welfare or safety. 

While small farmers embraced this bill, they did not get everything they wanted during the legislative session.