by Foothills Forum Staff Report | May 13, 2023 | Art, Business, Education, Local Services, Politics
In normal years, Virginia’s budget plan is supposed to be pretty much done by April except for any late changes recommended by the governor. But for the second year in row, the politically split General Assembly is heading into spring under a cloud of uncertainty over...
by Foothills Forum Staff Report | Apr 19, 2023 | Agriculture, Business, Crime and Courts, Politics
Densely populated mountain village occupies niche in county It is the most densely populated village in Rappahannock County. It has its own voting precinct. It adjoins Shenandoah National Park and is home to the headwaters of the Rappahannock River. At 1,670 feet it...
by Randy Rieland | Mar 27, 2023 | Crime and Courts, Education, Local Services, Politics
One of the biggest budget hurdles that Rappahannock County Public Schools (RCPS) faces is its Local Composite Index (LCI). That’s the complex formula used by Virginia to determine how much funding each county receives from the state to pay for public education. Each...
by Tim Carrington | Mar 16, 2023 | Agriculture, Education, Local Services, Politics
State spending standoff forces tough local choices, $1 million gap The county budget – normally long on detail and short on drama – has been yanked into a showdown over tax increases that promises a spring of debate and painful choices. Rappahannock’s proposed tax...
by Tim Carrington | Feb 19, 2023 | Agriculture, Business, Crime and Courts, Education, Health, Local Services, Politics
Virginia needs more houses — tens of thousands of them, including as many as 300,000 affordable rental units. Zoning restraints, land-use policies and environmental regulations have been getting in the way. This is the core message in Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s initiative,...