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Researchers announced Wednesday that remains excavated in the last three years were those of the long-sought dwelling, on the old family farm in Virginia 50 miles south of Washington. The house stood on a terrace overlooking the Rappahannock River, where legend has it the boy threw a stone or a coin across to Fredericksburg.

There is nothing that has fascinated Democrats this election cycle more than the prospect of their nominee winning Virginia in November. It would indeed be the Democrats’ first time to do so in more than 40 years, and the idea of cutting into the Republicans' hold on the south is, understandably, extremely exciting for them (although if they have set foot in Northern Virginia, which contains a third of the state's votes, they would understand the foolishness of interpreting a Virginia victory as anything resembling the takeover of a “southern” state.) Nonetheless, that is all they are talking about. They...

After a trial that lasted late into the night Friday, a jury found a minister from Radford guilty of sexually abusing a girl in 2000 when she was 8 years old. Hawthorne Reed Jr., 63, was found guilty on two counts of forcible sodomy and one of aggravated sexual battery. The girl said the events happened in 2000, but she didn't tell anyone until six years later. The Roanoke Times is not identifying the girl because of the nature of the case. She doesn't live in Virginia. Jurors on Friday heard from both Reed and the now-16-year-old girl. She was...

High school students in the Wahhabi-led school learn that "the Jews conspired against Islam" and Sunni Muslims should shun all Shia Muslims. They also are taught that killing an apostate or an adulterer is acceptable under Islamic law. And polytheists (defined elsewhere as Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews and even Shia and Sufi Muslims) likewise can be subject to death for their transgressions. It is troubling enough to consider such lessons being ingrained in the minds of teenagers in Riyadh and throughout the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. But the same textbooks are in use in Alexandria, Va., at the Islamic Saudi...

A Culpeper pastor faces a possible 310-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to felony fraud charges. The Rev. Charles Shifflett, pastor of First Baptist Church in Culpeper and former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church there, pleaded guilty to a total of 20 felonies and one misdemeanor, prosecutors announced today. Nine of the charges involving obtaining money by false pretenses from Calvary Baptist Church from 2002-05, while Shifflett was the pastor. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud involving a workers compensation award, and five counts of obtaining money under false pretenses from two separate insurance companies, and three...

Exactly 15 years ago this week the world first heard the story of John Wayne and Lorena Bobbitt. John Wayne, an ex-Marine, was accused of coming home drunk and raping his wife. Lorena was accused of retaliating by cutting off her husband's penis while he was asleep. Lorena went from anonymous to notorious - her story the subject of countless newspaper and magazine articles. Now in her first ever network morning show interview she discusses how she's using her notoriety to help others. "All of a sudden, my private life is out in the open and it's an open book...

Last Wednesday, Virginia Democratic Senate candidate Mark Warner proposed an emergency federal crackdown on "oil speculators." "Make no mistake about it: What has happened over the past few months has not been the result of the market," Mr. Warner said, sounding not so much like the level-headed, moderate Democrat he was once reputed to be. Democrats clearly are worrying about high gas prices interrupting their march to landslide victories in the fall. In Virginia, Republican James Gilmore is given virtually no chance to win against Mr. Warner. Mr. Gilmore might be a former governor and offer a clear contrast on...

Pravda was a beacon of journalistic truth and technical prowess compared with the Virginian Pilot When you combine arrogance, bias and stupidity in a single package you have the editorial writers for the Virginian Pilot. Today’s proof, boys and girls is the editorial page which has on it two editorials that are perfect examples of what I’m talking about. The first, No easy answers for high gas prices, proves that the editors are not only clueless about why prices are high but freely admit that they have no idea what to do … except offer platitudes. Let’s get to their...

Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of Richmond, Va., on April 29 wrote a confidential letter to his brother bishops. He recounted how Catholic Charities of Richmond (CCR) was complicit in authorizing, procuring, and paying for an abortion on January 18, 2008. The victims were the mother, a minor immigrant, and her unborn child, who were both under the “protection” of Catholic Charities because the mother was in the country illegally. The bishop’s letter explains that the Committee on Migration (MRS) of the USCCB supplies “foster care support services to undocumented minors in U. S. custody” through an arrangement with two federal...

Democrats have placed a big bulls-eye on VA. Retiring Republican Senator John Warner's seat is in danger of being flipped by Democrat Mark Warner. Obama wants to make a play for the state. But the Dems can't keep their hands out of the cookie jar, giving Republicans a big stick.

An argument among four Hispanic men over who was lazier apparently escalated into a question of national pride and allegedly culminated with one man hitting another in the head with a can of beer. More here:Laziness Fight

Virginia may not be a purple state yet. Even some top Democrats concede that the commonwealth's Republican tendencies are strong. Sure, moderate Democrats can win here especially when their opponents run terrible campaigns. But even able Democrats [have] found it impossible to garner more than 52 percent of the vote. A liberal like Barack Obama may find it impossible to reach 50. The vast population of Northern Virginia should make Obama competitive statewide, but it's doubtful he will be able to run up the score against a centrist Republican with a remarkable military background. John McCain can be expected to...

HAMPTON, Va. (AP) - If not for "Meet The Press" and its host, Tim Russert, Jim Webb figures he may not be a United States senator. And a debate moderated by the NBC newsman who died Friday was a turning point in Democrat Timothy M. Kaine's campaign for governor. Both candidates fondly recalled Russert on Saturday at the Virginia Democratic Convention and acknowledged his role in pivotal moments in their 2005 and 2006 campaigns. Webb said his September 2006 appearance alongside Republican Sen. George Allen on "Meet The Press" was the turning point in his narrow, come-from-behind victory over Allen...

Jefferson trial set to start Dec. 2Judge stands firm on Virginia venue Saturday, June 14, 2008 By Bruce Alpert ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III set a Dec. 2 trial date Friday in the federal corruption case of Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, although the judge admitted that it could be delayed again. **SNIP** A December start means the trial would occur after the fall congressional elections. Jefferson hasn't said whether he's running for a 10th term. In an interview earlier this week, Jefferson said he never announces in advance of qualifying and that his lack of...

Pravda was a beacon of journalistic truth and technical prowess compared to the Virginian Pilot. Isn’t it the Drive-by-media that is always opining that we should “stick to the issues?” That “negative campaigning” (defined as telling the truth about Democrats) is taking the low road? Why, yes it is! So what’s the headline news in today’s Virginian Pilot? Senate candidates' staffers look for that 'macaca' moment. And why is that, boys and girls? The writer, Austin Wright, explains: Two years ago, former U.S. Sen. George Allen looked into a video camera and doomed his re-election bid. This year, the campaigns...

I need some information from Virginia Freepers. Ex-govenor Jim Gilmore is running for the Senate. Recently, two Virginia Republicans - Former Delegate Vince Callahan and former state Senator John Chichester - have come out and endorsed the Dem. Was Gilmore unpopular as Governor? Didn't Warner raise taxes in Virginia? I have the impression that Gilmore made a promise - to get rid of the car tax - and then fulfilled that promise. Is my impression wrong? I appreciate any information. Thank you.

Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) on Friday sought to end recent speculation surrounding his support for former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore (R), saying his stance has not changed since a statement last November in which he pledged financial support for Virginia GOP candidates but will not actively campaign. Warner's office issued a statement saluting Gilmore and announcing that he has contributed $2,000 toward his candidacy this month. But he added that he will "defer taking an active role in political campaigns or the district and statewide Republican nominating conventions." Gilmore last Saturday won the GOP nomination to succeed Warner, who is...

Just yesterday, the media and Democrat-ick officials and Obama campaign staff were claiming that Barry Obama would draw between 25,000 and 50,000 to his "Old-Time Traveling Medicine Show" at the Nissan Pavillion in PWC today where he would hawk his modern day snake oil remedies. The Pavillion holds 25,000 for concerts and it was expected that nearly double that number would show up in a sea of humanity stretching far beyond the gates. Now, the WashPo is reporting that only about 10,000 people showed up, which given their propensity for fuzzy math favoring Democrats, means there were probably more on...

They are the "6:01ers," commuters who have found their own trick to beating the Washington area's traffic gridlock. They lie in wait in strip mall parking lots and park illegally on the side of the road near high-occupancy vehicle ramps, waiting for the clock to strike 6:01 p.m. -- when the carpool lanes on Interstate 95/395 open up to all vehicles, not just those with three or more occupants. If drivers can hit the lanes as soon as they open to all traffic, their reward is a rocket ride from the Pentagon home -- without the need to pick up...

By a paper-thin margin, former Virginia governor James S. Gilmore III captured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Saturday at a state party convention here that exposed some GOP doubts about Gilmore and highlighted the influence of social conservatives. Gilmore defeated Del. Robert G. Marshall, a staunch opponent of abortion rights making his first bid for statewide office, by about 70 votes out of 10,378 cast. The margin was less than one percentage point.

The ACCF/NAM study on Virginia Economic Impact on the State from the Lieberman-Warner Proposed Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Costs and Topics covered: Impact on Jobs Under L/W, Impact on Disposable Household Income L/W’s Impact on Energy Prices Factors Contributing to Higher Electricity Impact on Economic Growth Impact on Low Income Families Factors Contributing to Higher Electricity Prices Impact on Economic Growth Impact on Industry Impact on Low Income Families Understanding the economic impacts of the Lieberman- Warner Climate Security Act1 (L/W bill) can help guide choices on climate change policy(2) In this study, the L/W bill was analyzed...

The second of the three-phase trial to determine ownership of church properties now occupied by defectors from the Episcopal Church got underway in Fairfax yesterday, this phase centered on the constitutionality of an 1867 Virginia law. At issue is who will eventually own and occupy the properties such as the campus which is home to the historic Falls Church. ... Judge Bellows had ruled in April that the 1867 law was appropriate to apply in this dispute. That law, written in the wake of many divided congregations split over the Civil War, says that the property goes with defecting congregations....

This Day In Civil War History May 24th 1861: - Union soldiers occupy Alexandria and Arlington Heights in Virginia. During the day Col. Elmer Ellsworth of the 11th New York takes down a Confederate flag flying from atop the Marshall House Inn. As he proceeds down the stairs he is killed by innkeeper James Jackson who almost immediately thereafter is killed. Ellsworth is the first Union officer killed in the war and becomes a martyr in the north. 1862: - Confederate forces under Gen. Thomas Jackson assault the rear guard of Union Gen. Nathaniel Banks retreating army at Middletown...

Swedish furniture maker Ikea celebrated the opening of its first factory in the United States on Wednesday. Swedwood, a subsidiary of home furnishings giant, has 40 plants worldwide. The $281 million plant in Danville, Virginia will employ 300 people by the end of 2009, said Swedwood North America president Bengt Danielsson. Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine was at Wednesday's ceremony to hail the economic boost to the ailing region along the North Carolina border, formerly a stronghold for the tobacco industry. Swedwood received $12 million in incentives from in state and local authorities, as well as the Virginia Tobacco Commission...

JAMES CITY - James City County police officers used a Taser gun on a 24-year-old autistic Williamsburg man Thursday after police said he became unruly with employees at Wilson's Leather at the Prime Outlets-Williamsburg shopping mall. Police responded to the store on Richmond Road around 2 p.m. after employees reported that the man had become argumentative during a dispute over a returned item, according to police spokesman Mike Spearman. The man, whom Spearman called "large in stature," became combative with police and refused to leave the store. Officers incapacitated him with a single shot from the Taser, placed him under...

RICHMOND-The State Corporation Commission has scheduled a public hearing for June 24 to receive comments on a request by Dominion Virginia Power to increase the company’s fuel rate on July 1. Dominion says the increase is necessary to cover the higher costs of fuel used to generate electricity. The company is seeking to raise its current fuel factor from 2.232 cents per kilowatt-hour to 3.893 cents. An average residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours in a month would see an increase of $16.61 on a monthly bill, or 18.3 percent. A public hearing on the request is scheduled for 10...

RICHMOND (AP) — Gov. Tim Kaine is expected today to announce a tax package to pay for highway construction and the upkeep and repair of state roads and bridges. Mr. Kaine scheduled a news conference at the state capitol to outline details of the bill that he will ask legislators to consider next month. He has called the General Assembly to Richmond beginning June 23 for the second special session on transportation funding in two years. Mr. Kaine, a Democrat, wants regional funding plans to pay for new projects in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, the state's most populous, fastest-growing...

The patrons at Champps in Reston, an upscale restaurant and bar chain, were eating ribs and drinking beer on a recent Saturday when customer Bruce Jackson stood up and made an announcement: He was armed, and so were dozens of other patrons. The armed customers stood up in unison, showing off holstered pistols. Mr. Jackson said a word or two about the rights of gun owners to carry firearms in Virginia, then thanked everyone for his or her attention and sat down. And the diners returned to their burgers and Budweisers. The Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) organized the dinner...

KUDOS TO THE firearms debate at Bridgewater College ("Bridgewater College to Host Firearms Debate," April 9). This debate was excellent, informative, thought provoking. I publicly thank the college for bringing two such outstanding individuals in their fields to our community. The auditorium was filled largely with students. Prior to the debate, my companion and I expected the audience to be strongly biased against Second Amendment rights, handgun ownership, concealed-carry permits, etc. At no time could we detect any bias, either pro or con, by the level of courteous, enthusiastic applause given to both gentlemen after each of their statements and...

Tornado Warning TORNADO WARNING MDC017-033-VAC059-153-179-090415- /O.NEW.KLWX.TO.W.0007.080509T0333Z-080509T0415Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 1133 PM EDT THU MAY 8 2008 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA STAFFORD COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA CHARLES COUNTY IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND * UNTIL 1215 AM EDT * AT 1132 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A DEVELOPING TORNADO NEAR TRIANGLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 27 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... WOODBRIDGE... INDIAN HEAD... LORTON... FORT...

A Giles County man paroled from prison after serving 14 years for killing two hikers on the Appalachian Trail in 1981 now is suspected of shooting two campers just off the trail in Giles on Tuesday. Randall Lee Smith, 54, was in a Roanoke hospital yesterday after crashing a pickup truck in Giles, Sgt. Michael Conroy of the Virginia State Police said.

My friend who works at the University says they are in lockdown mode because there is a gunman on the loose in the library. Anyone have more info?

    ~The FReeper Canteen Presents~ Road Trip: Langley Air Force Base, Virginia Langley Air Force Base (IATA: LFI, ICAO: KLFI) is the home of the United States Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing (1 FW) and the 480th Intelligence Wing (480 IW). It also hosts Headquarters, Air Combat Command (ACC).As the host unit at Langley Air Force Base, Va., the 1st Fighter Wing operates and maintains one of the largest fighter bases in Air Combat Command. Throughout its history, the 1st FW has led the way, wherever and whenever called upon. The 192nd Fighter Wing is an Air National...

The race for the Virginia 8th District congressional seat has seen two candidates vying for the Republican nomination and the opportunity to unseat nine-term Democratic Congressman Jim Moran. This week, I interview one of the candidates, Mark Ellmore. My interview with his opponent, Amit Singh, was published last Monday. The primary is on June 10. Paul Ibrahim (P.I.): Mr. Ellmore, thank you for doing this interview. Can you, in one sentence, explain why you are running for Congress? Mark Ellmore (M.E.): I am running for Congress because our community is in desperate need for new invigorated leadership, and I feel...

The linked video attempts to portray the dire consequences of Prince William County's anti-illegal immigration ordinance, and it includes pans of the inside of two empty restaurants in the area. I'm trying to "bust" the filmmakers; see my earlier discussion of the video here. Note that they've been promoted by both the Washington Post and Youtube. Could someone in the area look into whether these restaurants are really as empty as claimed, or whether this was a setup, and then post their findings here? The restaurants are El Portal Restaurant in Woodbridge and the Casablanca restaurant/dance club on Route 28...

RICHMOND, Va. -- Officials at Richmond International Raceway announced Saturday afternoon that all tickets for that night's Crown Royal 400 have been sold. It is the track's 33rd consecutive sellout. "Ticket sales were steady and we remained optimistic leading into this weekend," Richmond track president Doug Fritz said. "The hard work of our staff and our continued effort to provide a first-class experience for our fans continues to pay off." (SNIP) "NASCAR fans are the first people affected by the economy and the last people to recover from the economy, so it definitely has affected the industry as a whole....

Virginia Man Killed In Civil War Cannonball Blast May 02, 2008 CHESTER, Va. — Like many boys in the South, Sam White got hooked on the Civil War early, digging up rusting bullets and military buttons in the battle-scarred earth of his hometown. As an adult, he crisscrossed the Virginia countryside in search of wartime relics — weapons, battle flags, even artillery shells buried in the red clay. He sometimes put on diving gear to feel for treasures hidden in the black muck of river bottoms. But in February, White's hobby cost him his life: A cannonball he was restoring...

*** WELCOME - FREE REPUBLIC NASCAR RACING FANS Blue Angels to do the fly-by after the anthem at Richmond International Raceway Saturday, May 3. *** Cup Series practice [Speed TV] Live: 11 a.m. ET Friday TV Delay: 1:30 p.m. ET Cup Series qualifying 5:30 p.m. ET Friday Race begins at 7 p.m. ET Saturday on FOX In memory of Lt Cmdr Kevin Davis Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, May 2, 2008 - ESPN2/7 p.m. MRN/7:30 p.m. THIS IS AN IMPOUND RACE - YOUR FANTASY PICKS SHOULD STILL BE LOCKED IN THURSDAY NIGHT. Yesterday was Dale...

Federal transportation officials today told Congress and Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) that they have approved the proposed 23-mile extension of Metrorail to Dulles International Airport, reversing their announcement in January that the project was unfit for federal funding. In a letter to Kaine and in a 10 a.m. conference call with the governor and Virginia congressional leaders, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the $5 billion project had finally met the Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership. The project will now move into the final design phase, a major step toward receiving $900...

PORTSMOUTH -- Police are investigating the shooting death of a pizza delivery driver in Portsmouth. It happened around 11:00 Friday night at the 5600 block of Craneybrook Lane in the Churchland section of the city. Police have identified the victim as Robert Edward Kiesewetter, a 50 year old resident of Yaupon Street in Portsmouth. He was delivering pizza for Papa John's.

WASHINGTON -- Prince William County's illegal immigration crackdown appears to be spurring some families to send their children to schools elsewhere in northern Virginia. According to the Prince William school system, enrollment in English as a Second Language classes dropped by 759 students from September through March. During that same period, 623 ESOL students from Prince William enrolled in Fairfax County schools, compared with 241 in the same period the previous year. Eighty-three enrolled in Arlington County, 75 enrolled in the city of Alexandria and 23 signed up in Loudoun County. Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart...

The race for the Virginia 8th District congressional seat has seen two candidates vying for the Republican nomination and the opportunity to unseat nine-term Democratic Congressman Jim Moran. This week, I interview one of the candidates, Amit Singh. My interview with his opponent, Mark Ellmore, will be published next Monday. The primary is on June 10. Paul Ibrahim (P.I.): Mr. Singh, thank you for doing this interview. Can you, in one sentence, explain why you are running for Congress? Amit Singh (A.S.): I am running for Congress because our politicians are leading America in the wrong direction and those who...

DAMASCUS, Va. – With anti-liquor signs going up and a prayer march through town last Thursday night, opposition is heating up to the liquor-by-the-drink question, which is up for a referendum vote on May 6. "Most of the churches in the area just believe that the Bible teachers against the drinking of alcohol of any kind," said Wayne Baker, preacher at Laurel Avenue Church of Christ that put up a sign in opposition as soon as they learned of the referendum. "It [alcohol] has always caused problems, and physical damage, but also spiritual damage. They’re relying upon the alcohol to...

Cannot post. Here is the link: http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080412/NEWS01/804120320&template=printart

LEESBURG, Va. - A civil rights leader who served as a top lieutenant to Martin Luther King Jr. has pleaded not guilty to incest in a Virginia courtroom. Jury selection began Monday in the trial of the Rev. James Bevel.... ~~snip~~ Bevel was a leading figure in the civil rights movement and was with King when he was assassinated 40 years ago. He also is credited with helping to conceive and organize the Million Man March.

LEESBURG, Virginia (Reuters) - Million-dollar fixer-upper for sale: five bedrooms, four baths, three-car garage, cavernous living room. Big holes above fireplace where flat-screen TV used to hang. The U.S. housing crisis has come to McMansion country. Just as the foreclosure crisis has hollowed out poorer neighborhoods, "for sale" signs are sprouting in upscale developments so new they don't show up on GPS navigation screens. Poor people weren't the only ones who took out risky, high-interest loans during the housing boom. The sharp increase in housing costs -- and the desire to live in brand-new, spacious houses with modern features --...

"The Court agrees that it was major divisions such as those within the Methodist and Presbyterian churches that prompted the passage of 57-9. However, it blinks at reality to characterize the ongoing division within the Diocese, ECUSA, and the Anglican Communion as anything but a division of the first magnitude..."

ATF added another weapon to its gang-fighting arsenal Nov. 28 with the formal opening of a new facility in Northern Virginia that will house 80 intelligence analysts, agents, prosecutors and support personnel — all from different agencies — and all working together to investigate and dismantle the most violent gangs in the United States. “Coordination has brought us success in the past, and can yield even more in the future,” said ATF Acting Director Michael Sullivan, speaking during the formal opening of the new facility. The new site brings together two separate gang deterrence units — the National Gang Intelligence...

State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax), one of Northern Virginia's few conservative elected officials with grass-roots support across the state, announced plans yesterday to run for attorney general next year. He touted his conservative credentials on such issues as illegal immigration, gun rights, the death penalty and abortion as evidence that he can court Republican votes and complete a conservative GOP ticket... He also said he would initiate a government-wide evaluation of state programs for the purpose of eliminating unnecessary or wasteful spending.

RICHMOND, April 1 -- Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Tuesday that he is halting all executions until the Supreme Court decides whether lethal injection violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.