The Commonwealth of Virginia (named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the Virgin Queen) is one of the original thirteen states of the United States that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. It is located in the Southern United States but is sometimes included, geographically, in the Mid-Atlantic States. It is one of four states that use the name commonwealth. Virginia was the first part of the Americas to be colonized permanently by England.

Virginia is known as the "Mother of Presidents", because it is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Woodrow Wilson, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and Zachary Taylor), more than any other state. Four of the first five presidents were from Virginia, and seven of the first twelve. The most recent Virginian president was Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president. Virginia has also been known as the "Mother of States", because portions of the original Colony subsequently became Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia as well as some portions of Ohio.

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The Roanoke Times: Local news

Roundabout opens in Roanoke Co. after delays - roanoke.com
The traffic circle is the first in a series of similar projects for the city, county and Blacksburg. After numerous construction delays, the Virginia Department of Transportation on Thursday afternoon opened a roundabout that will merge two streets in Southwest Roanoke County.
Franklin County voted into Western Virginia Water Authority - roanoke.com
The addition of the county into the regional utility still requires the approval from the State Corporation Commission.Franklin County was voted in as a full-fledged member Thursday of the Western Virginia Water Authority by the governing bodies that already made up the regional utility. The Roanoke City Council, the boards of supervisors of Roanoke and Franklin counties and the water authority board unanimously approved Franklin County's membership. The membership will become official upon approval by the State Corporation Commission. It's unclear when the SCC will take up the issue.
National Guard soldiers called up - roanoke.com
The companies will report for federal duty Jan. 5 and will be sent to serve in Iraq.Four hundred Virginia National Guard soldiers, including companies based in Bedford, Clifton Forge and Lexington, were called for active duty in Iraq on Thursday. Some New River Valley-based companies could also get the call.
Arrival of H1N1 shots continues in Roanoke and New River valleys - roanoke.com
Health officials are targeting efforts on the high-risk groups of kids and pregnant women. The 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine continues to trickle into the region, and health department officials in the Roanoke and New River valleys are concentrating vaccination efforts on high-risk groups that include pregnant women and children between 6 months and 18 years old.
Arrest is made in county break-ins - roanoke.com
Raymond Dillon was charged in connection with a series of break-ins over three months.Roanoke County police have arrested a man in a string of break-ins over the past three months. Detectives are investigating Raymond Matthew Dillon, 23, of Roanoke for at least seven burglaries in the area from Mount Pleasant to Yellow Mountain Road, said Lt. Chuck Mason.
Funeral rites across history and cultures come alive in Rocky Mount - roanoke.com
A traveling exhibit that stopped in Rocky Mount reflected on the many funeral traditions throughout history.ROCKY MOUNT -- For some, a trip to a local funeral home Thursday wasn't to mark the death of a loved one, but to reflect on the history and tradition of funerals. A tractor-trailer transporting "Reflections: The American Funeral" set up outside Flora Funeral Service for the day.

Daily News-Record

Voters Follow Judges' Lead
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600
Both candidates for sheriff had a similar strategy on what to do during Tuesday's election — they just started at different ends of the county. In the early morning hours Republican candidate for sheriff John Thomas was in Shenandoah, meeting and greeting voters going into the VFW post to vote. His Democratic opponent, Pete Montele
HooDoo Offers Hometown Fun
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600
ELKTON — G.I. Joes, witches, fairies and many strange and nameless creatures were among the costumes of children who crowded the streets of Elkton last Friday for the Elkton Downtown Revitalization Corporation’s annual Halloween HooDoo event — which this year also included a “trunk-or-treat experience on Warren Avenue cou
Sweep
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600


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