Heightened concern regarding Muslim incident takes toll in Augusta County, closes schools

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Augusta County schools were unexpectedly locked down late Thursday after regular classes concluded, and all after-school activities were canceled including sports events and a holiday concert at Wilson Memorial High School. Parents received automated phone calls notifying that Friday classes, the last day before holiday break, were canceled.

The move came after the rural area located in the Shenandoah Valley of western Virginia unexpectedly found itself in the middle of a fire storm of controversy after a world geography class at Riverheads High School caused concern among some parents. Students were asked to participate in a calligraphy lesson writing the Muslim statement of faith, a lesson that has not settled well with some in the community. Conservative news outlets picked up on the controversy and news of it has spread across the country.

Augusta County Library branches offer free Internet service

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Unable to access Internet in their rural homes, many Augusta County residents have resorted to the Augusta County Library where free WiFi connections are available at the five locations — Fishersville, Middlebrook, Churchville, Craigsville, and Deerfield.

A feature article in Sunday’s News Leader highlighted the difficulties faced by those who live in the scenic yet electronically remote areas of the county (see Dead zones: Cell, Internet service woes by Megan Williams):

Dennis Burnett scholarship will make sure he is not forgotten

Dennis Burnett (1964-2014)

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Dennis Burnett passed away in October leaving behind not only shocked family and friends but also a shocked community that could not believe the vivacious, fun-loving 49-year-old was gone (see my Remembering Dennis Burnett 1964-2014).

But his legacy lives on. A scholarship fund in his name at his alma mater Blue Ridge Community College has raised over $16,000 on its way to a goal of $100,000.  Read more from reporter Megan Williams at the News Leader (see BRCC has raised $16,5K for Dennis Burnett scholarship).

Dennis Burnett. He is gone but through this scholarship he will not be forgotten.

 

Augusta County: Let’s talk school funding

By David Karaffa
Supervisor, Beverley Manor District, Augusta County

[Recently the Staunton News Leader had an article written by reporter Megan Williams that had many inaccuracies. I was extremely disturbed by what I read due to the fact that the article painted a false picture of how Augusta County schools are funded. Information has been sent to her with the facts, and a correction was printed in the Thursday, October 2, 2014, edition of the News Leader. This article has been updated since its original post.]

“Facts are Stubborn Things” — John Adams