Editorial: Midweek Briefing

Supporting volunteers: The Waynesboro City Council on Monday night passed a resolution condemning a state ruling that says volunteer police officers must meet the same training requirements as sworn, full-time personnel.

The volunteer, or reserve, officers have been suspended from duty since the Department of Criminal Justice Services in December issued the training directive, which could prove an expensive proposition for many localities.

But Waynesboro Police Chief Mike Wilhelm said the need for these backup forces will become only greater in the coming months when special events are held in the city. Last year, the volunteers donated more than 1,700 hours and nearly $35,000 worth of time.

That’s service that should be honored, and that the city shouldn’t have to do without. A bill that would resolve the matter unanimously passed the state Senate. Let’s hope it continues to find approval, with the House of Delegates and, later, with the governor.

Gruesome news: Critics like to argue that media outlets enjoy reporting bad news.

But readers and journalists alike may have had more than their fair share of these tales lately. If the Huguely murder trial in Charlottesville wasn’t enough, a police officer fatally shot a 54-year-old housewife in a school parking lot in Culpeper on Thursday, and now an Augusta County man has been charged with attempted capital murder of a sheriff’s deputy.

Augusta sheriff’s Capt. Glenn Hanger said a man tried to run over Deputy Donnie Smith with a truck Friday afternoon. Clint Tribble is being held in connection with the incident. He faces up to life in prison if convicted on the capital charge.

If not for Valentine’s Day, it seems there wouldn’t have been much of any pleasant news recently.

Comeback: So Randy Moss plans a National Football League comeback.

Or, at least that’s what the 35-year-old, talented-but-controversial wide receiver from our neighboring state said on a webchat Monday.

Moss, who grew up in West Virginia, seemingly could catch any ball thrown anywhere near him. Problem was, he also caught lots of flak, especially when he made comments such as, “I play when I want to play.”

Maybe he’s got a point this time, though. The New England Patriots didn’t do so well in the Super Bowl without him this year.