News
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia higher education officials are trying to figure out why 1.5 percent fewer students enrolled the state’s public and private colleges and universities this academic year, even though there was an increase in the pool of high school seniors who could have filled those seats.The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports public four-year universities posted a modest increase, but those gains were outweighed by declines at the Virginia
Community College System and at Liberty University.State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Director of Policy Research and Data Warehousing Tod R. Massa says he is awaiting data from the U.S. Department of Education before he can offer an explanation for the decline.Total enrollment across Virginia’s higher education sector was about 521,000, down 3.4 percent from the peak count in 2012-13.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Legislation that would exempt certain chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing from public disclosure is advancing in the Virginia General Assembly.The House gave preliminary approval Monday to Del. Roxann Robinson’s bill that would exempt information about chemicals deemed a trade secret from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.Robinson, a Republican, said the bill is necessary to protect the oil and gas industry and its closely held trade secrets.But opponents say the bill would keep landowners in the dark about pollutants that might be affecting their groundwater.Fracking involves pumping water, sand and chemicals underground to split open rock formations and allow oil and gas to flow.
Bedford Police are looking for the person who held up the Dollar General store just off Blue Ridge Avenue. Police say a man walked in last night, pointed a gun at the clerk, and demanded a phone and money. There is no word on how much was taken. If you have any information regarding this crime, contact the Bedford Police Department at (540) 587-6011 or call 911.
(Salem Historical Society)
Salem’s oldest existing building is about to get new life. Preston Place was built in 1821 and stands along Salem’s West Main Street business district. The Salem Historical Society has been restoring the brick home, and a tea tavern is set to move into it as soon as next month. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Click here for the Salem Historical Society’s Preston Place web page.
