Staff/Contributed Reports

I found Ben Jones’s letter to the editor that appeared in last week’s newspaper very disturbing. Instead of providing counter facts to dispute the letters he disagreed with from the week before, he decided to personally attack his fellow county neighbors. His letter states that he assumes the Knights know each other because they have the same...
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In reference to the Rappahannock News editorial page and the article summarizing the school board budget hearing, some items deserve a few short comments. Ben Jones in “Same issues, same old baloney” hit the target when he said this is “almost as tiresome as that Cooter guy.” I have to agree with Ben, for...
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Regarding the recent issue on raising teachers salaries, I have to ask – have our students’ test scores improved since the last raise? If the answer is “no” – no raise! Moving here years ago, we were told you do not send your children to Rappahannock Public Schools. Today we hear and read the...
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As was reported in last week’s Rappahannock News, the Rappahannock Animal Welfare League (RAWL) recently received initial distribution of a substantial bequest from the estate of Paul and Patricia Baylor of Bealeton. The board of directors and staff of RAWL are very grateful for the generous act of this couple, and are also aware...
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RCHS boys start with a shutout On Friday night, March 16, Rappahannock County High School’s boys soccer team officially started its season with a shutout victory on the road against Skyline High School. “From our goalkeeper, Ben Estes, to our forwards, I thought it was a very strong performance,” said coach James Lofton. “Defenders...
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Having attended the Rappahannock County School Board public hearing this week, it is now clear to me that our school superintendent and the school board have no appetite for the cuts that are so obviously needed to reduce spending in an already bloated school budget. If there is to be any meaningful fiscal reform...
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The Donkey Basketball game on March 12 made us truly appreciate why we are members of the Rappahannock community. It was so amazing to look out into a gym packed with laughing, cheering fans. We sold about 550 adult tickets to this event but when you add in all the children 5 and younger who...
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Happy-go-lucky; all-around nice guy: dogs, cats, people, little people just fine with me; car/truck rides – I’m there; leash walks – cool; and I’m into amusement, mine and yours. I go by “Ziggy,” and am a border collie mix, 10 months old, 35 to 40 pounds and housebroken. I’m available to get together. When...
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The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is asking Virginians to spend at least $10 per week on locally grown foods and beverages.
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On issues ranging from tax credits for private school tuition to a homeowner’s right to kill an intruder, several bills before the 2012 General Assembly resembled model laws proposed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
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RCHS Quiz Bowl, soccer and baseball updates; a trout project ends with a release at Wakefield, and more.
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Jazz piano at The Theatre, The Inn evolves, and after-school programs for 3rd-5th graders.
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The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is making $120,000 available to Virginia landowners in the York and Rappahannock watersheds who agree to implement forestry practices that will help restore the Chesapeake Bay. “For nearly two decades, NRCS has partnered with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) to develop innovative approaches to conserving natural resources...
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My journey with cancer began in 2006 when I was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer. I underwent a procedure to have the cancerous tissue removed. I thought “that was pretty easy”; little did I know how tenacious and persistent melanoma is. Last June an oncologist at UVA discovered the cancer had...
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I would like to share my views on the school budget proposal, particularly as it relates to the compensation of our teachers. First I have to share that I am a big fan of our public schools, having several children and grandchildren who have graduated from them, all of whom have gone on to...
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With spring fast approaching, many of the great things in this county are already beginning to pop out. The daffodils have begun to bloom. The trees are beginning to bud. And the surest sign that spring is around the corner – Stuart Field – is preparing to reopen. The Rappahannock-Culpeper Baseball League (RCBL) provides...
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Easy-going – my middle name. Car rides – fantastic! Lying in the sun – one of my favorites! Hangin’ out – I’m there! You – right by your side! Walk with you on a leash – no problem! House-broken – most probably! I was wanderin’ around out there for a while, but I made...
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House Speaker William J. Howell on Sunday hailed the General Assembly’s just-concluded regular session a success, citing the passage of legislation to create jobs, improve public education and reform public employees’ pension plan.
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Home-schooled students in Virginia will have to wait until next year to see if they can participate in sports and other extracurricular activities at their local high school.
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More than 200 men and women lined the sidewalk behind the Governor’s Mansion on Thursday night to protest Gov. Bob McDonnell’s signing of a bill requiring women to undergo an ultrasound before an abortion.
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As our faux winter winds into a real spring, the crack and ping of bats and the pounding of running feet can be heard on the diamonds and track of Rappahannock County High School.
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Led by the 4-H Community Club, the 4-H Cloverbuds and Crafts with a Cause clubs last month made Valentine treats for the dogs at the Rappahannock Animal Welfare League (RAWL). After a brief presentation on RAWL by community club president Shelby Burnett, many of the children asked questions and shared stories about their own...
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Civil War painterly photos at Middle Street and a benefit art show in Madison; update on AT&T cell towers and Piedmont Broadband plans; the annual county cleanup is underway; Angus news around the county.
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I finally was able to really digest the superintendent’s preliminary proposed 2012-2013 Rappahannock County school budget. I need the Pepto-Bismol.  I fully agree with Jeffrey Knight’s assessment he so eloquently stated in last week’s Rappahannock News, that eligible school employees must begin contributing to their retirement as well as their health and life insurance programs...
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I’ve noticed that global warming increased ever since Daylight Savings Time started. Certainly. More daylight is going to make the world hotter, isn’t it? C’mon, Congress, we are living with enough stupidity without changing clocks again this Sunday. Phil IrwinFlint Hill
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Rappahannock County budgets $12.63 million annually for two small schools with a declining enrollment. A preliminary proposed budget for next year calls for an increase of 8 percent. Having taught for 20 years in both public and private Virginia schools, I became curious as to the quality of return on our taxpayer investment, so I...
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If you haven’t realized it, this is a wonderful, charitable and giving community. As many of you know, Rappahannock County Elementary School recently redid our playground. This has been a journey I will remember all the days of my life, because this has been one of the best community experiences I have ever been...
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Opponents of drunken driving are commending the Senate and House for approving bills that will require first-time DUI offenders in Virginia to install a Breathalyzer to prevent them from operating their vehicle while intoxicated.
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The Rappahannock County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee elected new officers for 2012 last month. Elected as chair to succeed Brian Taylor, who has led the committee since it was reorganized in January 2011, was Angela Deavers, who was appointed to the committee by the board of supervisors in March 2011. Deavers has a strong...
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As Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program celebrates its second Agriculture Literacy Week concurrently with National Agriculture Week (March 4-10), the Rappahannock County Farm Bureau’s Ashleigh Cannon Sharp will join volunteers from more than 40 other Farm Bureaus and other organizations to read books about agriculture in their local schools. Many will be reading...
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A mellow, low-energy Jack Russell Terrier? It’s true. I’m Kirby: well-mannered, great with other dogs (can’t help but chase cats), crate-trained, housebroken, good on a leash – and a confirmed couch potato. No way am I the typically busy, about-my-business Jack Russell. I’d much rather follow you everywhere. Let’s get together and see if...
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Wakefield’s Dale is Player of the Year In addition to being named to the all-conference first team, Wakefield Country Day School freshman Maeve Dale was named the Delaney Athletic Conference Division II Girls Varsity Basketball Player of the Year for the 2011-2012 season. She earned this honor through a consensus vote by the Conference’s...
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With only two candidates on the ballot for so-called Super Tuesday’s Republican primary in Virginia, turnout was expected to be light; it was just that. About 5 percent of the state’s total registered voters handed the primary election to Mitt Romney, who received 59.5 percent of the vote to Ron Paul’s 40.45 percent. In...
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Amazon.com, the Seattle-based e-tailer of books and other products, next year will begin collecting and paying Virginia state sales tax under an agreement announced by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
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Thirty-three demonstrators were arrested Saturday afternoon at the state Capitol during a protest against legislation they said would violate women’s reproductive rights.
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Father’s rights advocates say they are down but not out after passage in Richmond of a substitute bill originally aimed at giving both parents joint custody rights in divorce cases.
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Haydn and Mozart at the Theatre in Washington; "J. Edgar" is this month's RAAC movie; author Ed Dolnick speaks at the Library; find out if your antique is trash or treasure March 10.
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At 5:30 p.m. Thursday (March 1), the Rappahannock County Water and Sewer Authority will meet at the Rappahannock County courthouse on Gay Street. At 2 p.m. Monday, March 5, the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors meets at the Rappahannock County courthouse with an agenda that includes: Wes Clark-Robinson Farmer, Cox, Assoc. FY 2011 audited financial statements;...
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Wakefield names January athletes Wakefield Country Day School announced its athletes of the month for January at an assembly Feb. 22, when each recognized student received a certificate of award and the accolades of her or his schoolmates. The male Athlete of the Month was senior Brian Shafran of Amissville, captain of the varsity...
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I would like to thank Del. Michael Webert for his vote on legislation that actually was an attempt to defend the rights of women. Every woman who is considering an abortion has the right to be fully informed of all the current medical and scientific facts concerning the human life within her and the...
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