Local / Virginia

Disaster loans available to homes, businesses in SW Va.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Federal disaster loans are available to southwest Virginia homeowners, businesses and nonprofit organizations hit by severe weather in February. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management says the U.S. Small Business Administration approved the low-interest loans at the request of Gov. Terry McAuliffe. McAuliffe says two dozen homes and businesses in Wise … Continue reading

Local / Virginia

UMW drops test requirement for high-achieving applicants

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Students with a high school grade-point average of at least 3.5 won’t have to take standardized admissions tests to be admitted to the University of Mary Washington. The Free Lance-Star reports (http://bit.ly/1JaQUFk ) that the university’s governing board unanimously approved the new policy for high-achieving applicants Thursday. The policy does not … Continue reading

Local / Virginia

Va. lab lays off workers, announces Justice settlement

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Health Diagnostics Laboratory Inc., has laid off 42 workers at its Richmond operations. The Richmond Times-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1BXkolW ) reports that the company announced the layoffs on Thursday and confirmed a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The blood-testing company attributed the layoffs to a decision to refocus on its core … Continue reading

Business / Local / Virginia

Oyster shell recycling program expands to Charlottesville

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Virginia Commonwealth University has expanded an oyster recycling program to Charlottesville. The program operated by VCU’s Rice Rivers Center will soon start collecting discarded shells from Charlottesville restaurants. The shells, which would otherwise be sent to a landfill, will now be returned to the Chesapeake Bay to create a natural habitat … Continue reading