Unemployment fell in Waynesboro in September, but rose slightly in both Augusta County and Staunton, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Virginia Employment Commission.

Waynesboro’s rate dropped to 8.2 percent in September compared to 8.5 percent in August.

VERONA – Pastures District Supervisor Tracy Pyles made a plea to fellow Augusta County supervisors Thursday to scale back spending after learning that the county schools’ state funding would be cut further next year.

STAUNTON — Facing possible sanctions for suing Augusta County officials over the 2009 property reassessment, Churchville attorney Francis Chester on Tuesday defended his lawsuit and alleged the county government wants to “silence the people’s attorney.”

STAUNTON — Augusta County’s attorney has gone back to court arguing that Francis Chester’s reassessment lawsuits so lack legal standing that the Churchville lawyer should be sanctioned.

STAUNTON — Augusta County’s former information technology director has been indicted on charges he misused government equipment.

Authorities recovered computers and electronics worth “several thousand dollars” from the home of Rick L. Vernier after receiving a tip that he had county property in his Stuarts Draft home, said Lt. A.C. Powers of the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office. 

On-time grad rates below average

For two decades Robert Gochenour collected a pile of Augusta County zoning violations.

The county cited him time and again for storing his trash-hauling equipment on land set aside for agriculture, enough times to land the Crimora man in jail.

More than two years after Augusta County Supervisors passed a revised comprehensive development plan for the county, they are now focused on putting teeth in that plan.

VERONA – Dennis Burnett is used to formidable duties having just worked for an airline whose customer base stretches from Canada to Texas.

STAUNTON – Small businesses in Staunton will receive a boost thanks to a $200,000 state grant city officials announced Tuesday.

At the George Bowers Grocery in New Town, Assistant Economic Director Amanda Huffman said the SPARC PLUG loan program would provide training, business planning and funding directly to local entrepreneurs and business owners.

While the U.S. unemployment rate remained steady at 9.7 percent in July, Virginia, along with the greater Augusta County area, saw rates slightly decline, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

Schools fall short on list of federal benchmarks

1st half of 2009 sees 4 percent increase from 2008, outpacing surrounding locales

With construction of access road, County planners to vote next week

This week’s grand jury indictments