New laws take effect today in Virginia and West Virginia
July 1 marks the start of the 2003 04 budget year with new laws across both states. West Virginia adopts a medical malpractice law with caps on damages and changes in liability while Virginia enacts stricter gun and safety measures, school policy shifts, information technology consolidation, and new felonies including child pornography and dog fighting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Virginia
Bluefield
West Virginia
General Assembly
Virginia Information Technology Agency
Department of Information Technology
Virginia Information Providers Network Authority
Bluefield mayor pledges downtown town hall efforts
Bluefield Virginia mayor Bill King said the town council will relocate the town hall inside downtown if possible but flood plain rules require non flood plain construction. FEMA and VDEM funding could back a new building off the flood plain, with Leatherwood Farms donation option for the site. The plan aims to improve parking and traffic, keep events downtown, and consider moving most offices to a donated site while keeping the treasurer’s office downtown. Street vendors and farmers markets may fill the old town hall site to boost downtown activity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluefield
King
FEMA
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
VDEM
Town Hall
Leatherwood Farms
First Century Bank
Virginia Avenue
Leatherwood
City to Cut About 20 Jobs Across Departments
The fiscal year opens with planned reductions in police, fire, treasury, streets, and sanitation. About 20 positions will be eliminated as some staff retire or move to other jobs while others seek new positions. City officials will monitor monthly and adjust as needed to stay within budget while reorgs and cross training aim to preserve services.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Police
Fire
Treasury
Henne
Fire Departments
Jody Neal
Jnegl
Bdtonline
Postal service safety tips to protect children around mail trucks
Bluefield officials warn kids under 16 are most at risk when chasing mail. Postmaster Bill Akers urges parents to keep children away from parked carriers and curbside boxes, ensure the vehicle has left before retrieving mail, and avoid blocking views. Mirrors on trucks help drivers spot low children and obstacles. Pedestrian deaths are a third of traffic deaths among 3 to 9 year olds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluefield
U.S. Postal Service
Bill Akers
Akers
Safeview
Dennis Yena
Dyena
Also Mentioned on This Page
Tourism Authority
Port Authority
Barbara Hawkins
Bhawkins
Bottonline.com
Luefield
Bill King
A-1
Postal Service
John Nelson
Grant’s/Rasi’s
Bluefield Women's Center
Cherry Street Bluefield
Chevrolet
Cadillac, Inc
Rick Barlow
Rick
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