Sandy Hausman

Senate Bill 51 sounded like a no brainer – a way to help farmers and promote agritourism, but it turns out that measure and a similar one approved by the House could make life miserable for people who live near farms that invite people to pick their own fruit, wander through corn mazes or take part in pumpkin carving competitions. 

Senate Bill 51 prevents counties from regulating the noise and traffic generated by such events.

More than 200 people are expected in Charlottesville next month to celebrate two subjects you might not think are related-- art and food. 

The New City Arts Initiative thinks otherwise and has organized a conference to explore the connections. 

The conference, called Art, Food and Community, takes place March 6-8 at the Haven in Charlottesville.

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.

Airports around the Commonwealth are preparing for snow and pledging to keep their runways clean, but flights are already being canceled for reasons beyond control.

Charlottesville’s airport sees 40-50 flights a day, and spokesman Jason Burch says it’s no problem to keep the runway open.  A team of about 30 people has been planning for winter weather since July.

“As soon as we start to see a forecast with a lot of accumulation, we’ll begin to activate the snow team.  We’ve got a lot of equipment out here to make sure that runway and taxiway stay open.”