Relevant Local Media Stories
Harper Named Land Conservation Officer for Culpeper and Orange Counties
July28, 2008. PEC Press Release.
Latest News
Updated every weekday as availableREADER’S VIEWS: Uranium mining affects our area
Culpeper Star-Exponent, January 25, 2012
"...While the governor’s directive is focused on a site in Pittsylvania County, the implications of actions here could directly impact Culpeper, Madison, and Orange as potential uranium deposits were previously identified in this area. I have traveled to the Coles Hill site at my own expense and see many similarities to our region. The opportunity for high-paying jobs and contributing to energy independence must be balanced with public safety, environmental protection, and possible negative economic impacts for property owners and farmers in the area of mining and milling. "
By Del. Ed Scott
About 5,000 acres in Orange, Greene, Albemarle protected in 2011
Daily Progress, January 18, 2012
"Nearly 5,000 acres of undeveloped land in Greene, Albemarle and Orange counties in 2011 were protected by conservation easement from development, according to the Piedmont Environmental Council. In Albemarle County, 2,283 additional acres were put under easements in 2011, about 1,300 acres in Greene County and 1,300 acres of Orange County, according to Rex Linville, a land conservation officer for the council."
Farmers help conserve Hazel watershed
Rappahannock News, December 29, 2011
"The clean-up of the Chesapeake bay is an important issue in Virginia – one that often stirs up controversial debates and finger pointing rather than action. In Rappahannock and neighboring counties, however, farmers are tackling water quality problems, now, with innovative solutions... More than eight miles of riparian fencing have been installed in Rappahannock to date, along with more than five miles in Culpeper, Madison and Orange. More than 1,000 cattle have been fenced out of streams and provided with alternative sources of clean drinking water. "
By PEC's Katherine Vance
Monticello, Montpelier partner with Smithsonian for exhibitions on slavery
Daily Progress, December 20, 2011
"Local tourism officials and destinations are banding together to cash in on Smithsonian Institute exhibition on Thomas Jefferson and slavery with a cooperative marketing program designed to encourage tourism to the area. The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau, Monticello and Montpelier are sponsoring the Presidents Passport program, starting in January. The two historic sites would serve as key destinations for tourists and Smithsonian visitors to learn more about American history and slavery after attending the Washington D.C. exhibit."
Weekly News
Updated every week as availableAbout 5,000 acres in Orange, Greene, Albemarle protected in 2011
Daily Progress, January 17, 2012
"Nearly 5,000 acres of undeveloped land in Greene, Albemarle and Orange counties in 2011 were protected by conservation easement from development, according to the Piedmont Environmental Council. In Albemarle County, 2,283 additional acres were put under easements in 2011, about 1,300 acres in Greene County and 1,300 acres of Orange County, according to Rex Linville, a land conservation officer for the council."
Proffer change may speed Orange road
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, January 19, 2012
"The Orange Town Council has accepted changes in the proffers for the Round Hill development, a strategic move that is expected to jump-start the design of a parallel alternative to North Madison Road."
State uranium mining ban has local connection
Orange County Review, January 19, 2012
"...When Somerset farmer Bill Speiden was approached by Marline Uranium Corporation in 1979 about the prospect of leasing his land, he was initially thrilled. The lease promised a five-figure signing bonus and royalties once viable uranium ore was mined from his property...Wanting to research further what uranium mining might mean for his property, Speiden and his wife used a vacation out west to check out the mines of Colorado and Utah, where much of the uranium is mined in the United States. He said he was not impressed by what he found, particularly leaking and shallow "tailings" used to hold the waste from the mining process. "
About 5,000 acres in Orange, Greene, Albemarle protected in 2011
Daily Progress, January 18, 2012
"Nearly 5,000 acres of undeveloped land in Greene, Albemarle and Orange counties in 2011 were protected by conservation easement from development, according to the Piedmont Environmental Council. In Albemarle County, 2,283 additional acres were put under easements in 2011, about 1,300 acres in Greene County and 1,300 acres of Orange County, according to Rex Linville, a land conservation officer for the council."
Farmers help conserve Hazel watershed
Rappahannock News, December 29, 2011
"The clean-up of the Chesapeake bay is an important issue in Virginia – one that often stirs up controversial debates and finger pointing rather than action. In Rappahannock and neighboring counties, however, farmers are tackling water quality problems, now, with innovative solutions... More than eight miles of riparian fencing have been installed in Rappahannock to date, along with more than five miles in Culpeper, Madison and Orange. More than 1,000 cattle have been fenced out of streams and provided with alternative sources of clean drinking water. "
By PEC's Katherine Vance
Orange County Review, December 14, 2011
"Town of Orange sewer customers will see an increase in their wastewater bills beginning in January. Last month, the Orange Town Council held a public hearing regarding a suggestion by the council-appointed rates committee to increase the town’s wastewater rates. Over the past several months, the committee has been reviewing the town’s water and sewer rates to offset costs associated with the new wastewater treatment plant and to more closely align rates with the cost of production."
AT&T lauds new disguised cell tower near Montpelier
Daily Progress, December 8, 2011
"With a new tower in place, cellular service is now available at James Madison’s Montpelier, according to a news release. The tower, disguised as a pine tree, should make AT&T service available throughout the Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District."
Orange County Review, November 30, 2011
"Having received the blessing from the Orange County Board of Supervisors one month ago, Walmart is now poised for a spring 2012 groundbreaking. Before any dirt can be disturbed, though, the retailer must complete the county’s standard round of site and building plan reviews. Walmart’s site plans are currently being combed through by the county’s planning office, but should be returned to the company by the middle of December."
Gordonsville progressing on Main Street project
Orange County Review, December 7, 2011
"Fronted by curtained store windows and colorful trim, the buildings of Gordonsville’s downtown suggest the sleepiest and coziest of European villages. The resemblance is intentional and attractive and while private investors began reshaping Main Street a decade ago, for the past three years, the town has worked to secure grant funds to construct an equally appealing roadway through its downtown streetscape. "
Orange property values take a fall
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, November 18, 2011
"Gary Eanes, of Wampler-Eanes Appraisal Group in Daleville, was hired by Orange County to reassess county property. He has been in the business of appraising real estate for more than 30 years, and says that these have been some of the hardest times to work in... Overall, property values in the county are down 28 percent from the last mass assessment done in 2006 (for the 2007 tax year), but there hasn’t been an overwhelming outcry from property owners."
