Latest news with #Waynesboro
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing commission the next step for affordable housing efforts in Staunton
STAUNTON – Staunton is taking steps toward making affordable housing accessible for more of its citizens. The City of Staunton Housing Strategy's full report isn't quite complete, but Staunton Housing Planner Rebecca Joyce presented the preliminary findings to Staunton City Council on July 24. 'This is a plan for a start, not a plan for completion,' said Joyce. 'As you will also know with housing, it's a constant challenge, so it's [not] a problem to solve, it's something that we're always dealing with.' This is not something cities are required to do by law, in contrast to documents like a comprehensive plan. Instead, the housing strategy group emerged after a SAW Housing Summit in July 2024. The summit drew attention to the growing unaffordability and inaccessibility of the housing market in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro. Staunton's housing group was created to combat the market forces driving the increasing costs. 'We are doing this because we want to have a focused way to deal with some of the housing challenges that we face, to be able to work well with our housing partners in the city, and to be able to provide more housing in the city of Staunton,' said Joyce. The group identified three main goals: producing housing, preserving housing, and providing housing stability. To further those goals, they identified 11 things they could do as part of the city: Use CDBG Entitlement Funds for housing and wrap-around services. Establish a Housing Fund. Advocate for more Community Land Trust/Deed-restricted home ownership. Explore options for creating Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Prepare Redevelopment Strategies for underutilized properties. Landlord Education, Recruitment, and Retention. Explore the potential for a local or regional Land Bank. Facilitate services in the City for unhoused persons. Explore the potential for HUD-certified Housing Counseling services. Promote Legal Services for Renters to reduce evictions. Community Housing Advocate training. The strategy partnered with several other local organizations and city commissions, such as the Staunton Redevelopment Housing Authority, the DEI Commission, SAW Housing, SAW Habitat for Humanity, Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta, and several more. Representatives from these organizations were present on the Staunton board. Joyce also noted the group would continuously be in touch with other local housing organizations. 'We will continuously connect with SAW Housing for our part in that regional effort,' Joyce said. 'One of our assumptions here, with the plan, is that we will not develop or do any activities or programs that compete with the other organizations. We will support what's done in the region. There's no need to do what's already being done. We want to help and support what's being done and then augment that to fill any needs we have just in the city.' The Staunton housing group working on the report may become the next city commission. Several of the group's current members have been asked to stay on the commission once it is created by Staunton City Council, which is expected to move forward in the fall. The practical next steps for the housing group are to create the commission, to perform a 'windshield survey and assessment' of housing conditions in the city, and to compile a resource guide for people calling the city to ask for housing services. Joyce hopes to get a grant from the Virginia Tech Housing Center and their students to 'get a broad overview of some of the infilled properties and properties that might be blighted or aren't being used effectively so we can look to see if housing would be a good option for those.' The presentation can be found on the city's website. More about the whole strategy can be found on the project's landing page on the city website. More: High St. housing development moving forward after Augusta supervisor vote More: Emma Whitesell opens esthetician studio in downtown Staunton Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to lbordelon@ Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Housing commission next step for affordable housing efforts in Staunton Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Round 2: Waynesboro hosting Back to School Bash July 27
Waynesboro Public Schools is preparing to host the second session of its fifth annual Back to School Bash on July 27 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Kate Collins Middle School, 1625 Ivy Street in Waynesboro. The first session was held July 20, offering families a strong start to back to school preparations. This upcoming event provides another opportunity for students and families to meet with school staff, connect with community partners, and get ready for the year ahead. The vision of the event is to remove barriers for students and families that make the start of a new school year stressful. At the event, Waynesboro Public Schools will again have opportunities for students to receive haircuts from local stylists, and healthcare providers will be available to provide school physicals and immunizations. Families will also be able to access forms to request assistance for school supplies, clothing, or other medical needs. In addition, healthy fruits and vegetables will be available, along with numerous community resources, and fun and games for students of all ages. 'The way our community rallied to support our students last year was truly amazing," said Ryan Barber, assistant superintendent of the school division. "I am proud to be a part of the great work going on in Waynesboro Public Schools. I am looking forward to doing it all again this year, ' The 2024 Bash welcomed 1,441 participants, an increase of 111 from 2023. The event was made possible through the efforts of more than 245 WPS staff members, volunteers, and community partners. WPS looks forward to continuing this tradition of support and celebration as the new school year approaches. Some additional highlights from the 2024 event are listed below: 248 children received haircuts, braids, and styles from 17 hairdressers and stylists. 79 sports physicals were provided in partnership with Augusta Health & Rockingham Memorial. School registration assistance was provided for hundreds of students. Approximately 10,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, and non-perishables were available for families Approximately 35 community organizations participated in the two weekend events. In order to provide the best experience for families we ask that families pre-register by through SignUpGenius. More information is available on the Waynesboro Public Schools website. More: VDOT: Interstate 81 lane and ramp closures near Staunton for bridge widening More: Former Nexus executive Richard Moore's sentencing delayed again: Here's what happened Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Round 2: Waynesboro hosting Back to School Bash July 27 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Westinghouse Lays Groundwork to Build 10 New Nuclear Reactors
The US energy industry's long nuclear winter may finally be giving way to spring. None other than Westinghouse, the firm responsible for the only two nuclear reactors built in the US in the past three decades, is among those leading the charge. The company has announced plans to begin construction on 10 reactors in the US by 2030. Hopefully, Westinghouse has learned some lessons from its previous projects. READ ALSO: Ethereum Treasuries Boom as Companies Look Beyond Bitcoin and Goldman's 'Midas Touch' During Turbulent Quarter Delivers Record Trading Results Wishin' We Were Fission Westinghouse has changed hands a bit since completing its last nuclear reactors, both at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia. That's because the Georgia project proved something of a disaster. Not 'Three Mile Island' disastrous, mind you, but some seven years and $18 billion over budget. That proved enough to tip the company into bankruptcy in 2017. It re-emerged the following year and was acquired in 2023 by Brookfield Asset Management and Canadian uranium mining company Cameco. This time around, the company is following the lead of the White House, which hopes that a series of executive orders issued earlier this year will kickstart a nuclear rebound. The extra gigawatts would come in handy as extreme weather stresses the US energy grid; on Wednesday, heat advisories issued across the eastern US prompted an emergency alert from major grid operator IJM Interconnection. Worsening the country's energy woes are the massive and power-hungry data centers — especially those powering artificial intelligence — that are increasingly coming online. Fittingly, one of the tech titans building those data centers is helping Westinghouse turn its nuclear dreams into reality, possibly on time and on budget: On Tuesday, Westinghouse announced that it would team with Google, using the tech company's AI tools to turn the construction of its AP1000 reactors into an 'efficient, repeatable process.' Each of those 10 reactors can generate enough electricity to power more than 750,000 homes, creating as much as $75 billion in economic value across the country, interim Westinghouse CEO Dan Sumner said on Tuesday. Alphabet Soup: Helping out Westinghouse is just one part of Google's plans to support the energy demands of its growing AI ambitions. On Tuesday, the company also announced that it would invest $25 billion in data-center and AI infrastructure, including plans to upgrade two hydropower plants in Pennsylvania. Microsoft, too, is getting in on the action, announcing Wednesday a partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory to use its AI tools to speed up licensing and permitting of nuclear projects. The challenge will be not using too much AI while trying to make sure the grid gets upgraded so they can use more AI. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter.
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Georgia-Based Shed Builder, Oakland Structures, Joins ShedHub
WAYNESBORO, GA, UNITED STATES, July 7, 2025 / / -- Oakland Structures, a Georgia-based manufacturer of custom portable buildings, has joined ShedHub, an online platform that connects shed buyers with manufacturers and dealers across the United States. Founded in 2008 by Ryan Keller, Oakland Structures manufactures storage buildings at its facility in Burke County. The company builds a range of structures including A-frame sheds, garages, barns, cottage-style buildings, porch models, carriage houses, playhouses, and gazebos. Each structure is built to order by in-house craftsmen using pressure-treated lumber and LP® SmartSide® with SilverTech® siding. Roofing options include 30-year architectural shingles and 29-gauge metal panels. Standard construction includes pressure-treated 4x4 runners, floor joists spaced 12 inches on center, and LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier Sheathing, which is designed to reduce attic temperatures by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Customers may choose from a range of siding and color options, including an upgrade to James Hardie® siding and 16 standard paint colors. All buildings are primed and painted using Madison Premium Paint, a 100% acrylic latex product. Oakland Structures also provides a rent-to-own (RTO) program with 24-, 36-, and 48-month terms. The program does not require a credit check or loan approval. Customers may purchase the building at any time during the rental period without penalty. Delivery is included for locations within 25 miles. A Liability Damage Waiver (LDW) may be included in rental agreements and, if the account remains in good standing, can release customers from responsibility for damages caused by fire, flood, or other natural disasters. The company includes a five-year manufacturer's warranty on its buildings. Roofing warranties extend to 30 years for shingles and 40 years for metal. Oakland Structures delivers all buildings using its own transport team and maintains dealer locations in Rock Hill, South Carolina; Statesboro, Georgia; Baxley, Georgia; Eastman, Georgia; Hiltonia, Georgia; and Keysville, Georgia. Owner Ryan Keller said the company's mission has remained consistent since its founding: to provide portable buildings built with care, at a competitive price. 'We strive to exceed customer expectations and support our dealers by being responsive and committed to quality,' Keller said. To view their listings on ShedHub, visit About Oakland Structures Oakland Structures is a manufacturer of portable storage buildings based in Burke County, Georgia. Founded in 2008 by Ryan Keller, the company specializes in custom-built sheds, garages, barns, and other outbuildings designed to meet residential and commercial storage needs. Oakland Structures constructs each building using pressure-treated materials and offers options such as architectural shingles, and radiant barrier sheathing. The company delivers its own buildings and maintains a network of dealer locations in Georgia and South Carolina. About ShedHub ShedHub is an online marketplace that connects buyers with shed manufacturers and dealers across the United States. The platform enables customers to browse portable buildings and provide information such as size, style, location, price and other specifications, and contact sellers directly. The company works with independent builders and multi-location dealers to expand access to locally made sheds and portable structures. Oakland Structures Oakland Structures +1 706-554-5135 [email protected] Visit us on social media: Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
ACSO: Infant injured, Waynesboro man charged with child abuse
A Waynesboro man suspected of injuring an infant was recently arrested by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. Bryce Cowett, 34, is charged with one count of felony abuse and neglect of a child, a press release said. On April 17, the sheriff's office was contacted regarding an infant who had suspicious injuries, including numerous rib fractures and a broken arm. An investigation, in conjunction with Child Protective Services (CPS), was then initiated. The sheriff's office said that medical personnel and family members were interviewed in an effort to determine whether the infant's injuries were the result of an accident or abuse. On June 16, Cowett, the child's father, was arrested. He is being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona without bond. More: Democrats select nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general in down-to-wire races More: Stone Ledge Cider breaks ground in Augusta County Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: ACSO: Infant injured, Waynesboro man charged with child abuse
