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Updated every weekday as availableUranium: ‘Not the time to relax’
Rappahannock News, February 2, 2012
"More than 50 attended a town hall meeting held by the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) last Saturday (Jan. 28) in Washington on the possibility – and the possible risks and impact – of uranium mining in Virginia, including in Rappahannock County and surrounding areas. PEC organized the meeting after Gov. Bob Mcdonnell’s announcement Jan. 20 that there would be no effort this year to lift Virginia’s longstanding ban on uranium mining – but that state agencies would start drafting regulations for potential uranium mining in the state. "
‘Intricate Relationships’ matter
Rappahannock News, January 27, 2012
"The perpetual friction between “come- heres” and “from- heres” in Rappahannock County is not limited to humans. Plants and animals that are “from here” – natives like bobwhite quail, falcons, blue stem grass and foxes – are locked in constant struggle with such invasive “come-heres” as coyotes, fescue, tree-of-heaven and an imported white-tailed deer population of hazardous proportions. Birder, naturalist and longtime Rappahannock resident Bruce Jones says that without some help from the original invaders – us – our most precious “natives” may be snuffed out by foreign wildlife. "
Event Spotlight: Rappahannock Town Hall Meeting on Uranium
PEC Event, January 28, 2012
"Do Virginians want to experiment with mining and milling uranium? One foreign mining company is hoping to lift the 30-year state-wide moratorium. Join us at this informational Town Hall-style Meeting to learn more about the potential risks to human health & the environment. Afterwards, we’ll gather as a community for a wine and cheese reception."
Rappahannock Town Hall Meeting on Uranium
Rappahannock News, January 26, 2012
"Should corporations be allowed to mine and mill radioactive uranium in Virginia? This question – with high stakes for Virginia’s public health and environmental quality – will be the subject of an informational town hall meeting in Washington this Saturday ( Jan 28). The 5 to 6 p. m. meeting at the Theatre in Washington will be hosted by the Piedmont Environmental Council ( PEC). A wine and cheese reception will follow the meeting. "
Scroll down for information on this PEC event.
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Weekly News
Updated every week as availableIn 2011, 650-plus acres protected
Rappahannock News, January 19, 2012
"Data released this week shows that three properties in Rappahannock County totaling more than 650 acres were protected by conservation easements in 2011 – contributing to a total of more than 29,300 acres, or 24 percent of the county’s land outside of Shenandoah National Park. "
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
Rappahannock News, December 15, 2011
"Native plants draw native wildlife, and the hope is that the formation of a butterfly garden and nature trail in the county seat will also draw . . . people. The Washington Town Council approved preliminary plans to create a butterfly garden and nature trail between the wastewater treatment facility and the Avon Hall estate, both properties owned by the town. The area covers about an acre and would offer some 450 feet of gravel or mulch walking trail through a diverse population of native plant species. The goal is to draw insect and animal species to the area, especially butterflies. "
County’s 2011 tourism stats up
Rappahannock News, December 15, 2011
"As the dead of winter approaches, Rappahannock County’s increasing number of visitor-dependent businesses at least have something to keep them warm. Tourism numbers are up in 2011 – between 10 and 20 percent over comparable 2010 figures. "
Rappahannock News, December 5, 2011
"Changes are afoot in Rappahannock County, and they are not discouraging. Just two months after the Rappahannock NonProfit Center (RNPC) handed a three-year stewardship of the prime crossroads property back to its owner, comes news that all four former first-floor classrooms of the old Sperryville School House have been rented to retail businesses."
Local photographer wins PEC contest
Rappahannock News, November 21, 2011
"Sperryville photographer Molly Peterson, who tied for first place in the Piedmont Environmental Council’s first-ever photo contest last year, has won the second annual contest’s grand prize all on her own this year, with her photo “Joy” "
The eastern coyote is here to stay’
Rappahannock News, November 10, 2011
"That unusual sound you hear after dark in Rappahannock County – between the more familiar bark of distant dogs and the occasional passing plane – could very well be the yip and howl of the eastern coyote. "
Stocking up locally for winter cooking
Rappahannock News, November 17, 2011
"We begin our series on holiday shopping with local food sources. It’s just a week until Thanksgiving, and you really don’t need to burn time and gasoline driving out of the county. Best of all, food shopping in Sperryville is definitely more than filling a basket . . . it’s a community experience. Most everyone knows everyone’s name, and if you don’t know your grocers, just introduce yourself! "
Tourism office plans new guide, web ads
Rappahannock News, October 27, 2011
"Transitioning into a new role as publisher of the official Rappahannock County printed visitors guide, The Rappahannock County Office of Tourism has announced that the 2012 edition of “Rappahannock County, Virginia – A Visitor’s Guide” will be published before the end of 2011 for the 2012 tourism season. The guide is a 4-by-8.5-inch full-color comprehensive resource booklet for tourists. "
Rappahannock News, October 6, 2011
"Despite the recent wet weather that has local winemakers worried, the long-term trend in Rappahannock County’s water situation has been dry. The forecast might be even drier. This is the bottom-line assessment of a draft report presented a few weeks ago to the County’s Board of Supervisors and Washington’s Town Council by Tim Bondelid, Woodville-based consulting engineer and systems analyst: “Recent conditions and trends are of serious concern for the current and future water supplies for Rappahannock County.” "
