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

More in region hit federal pass rates - roanoke.com
More students from Wythe to Rockbridge counties passed state English and math tests this year, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Virginia Department of Education.
Inches of rainfall replenish river flows - roanoke.com
Southwest Virginia registered as much as 7.18 inches of rain over two days courtesy of Fay's remnants.Tropical Storm Fay's remnants dumped 3 to 7 inches of rain on much of drought-stricken Southwest Virginia on Tuesday and Wednesday, increasing water flow more than a hundredfold in one river that had been nearly dry.
Scoutmaster burned by propane cooker making a swift recovery - roanoke.com
Larry Howell is recuperating from burns he suffered while cleaning a smoker.When he heard the propane ignite -- a noise he described as a rumbling "woof!" -- Larry Howell knew what had happened. He'd made a mistake. In that instant, Howell said, he flailed to shield his face and braced as much as he could for the fire that was coming.
Truck's crash forces closure of I-81 lane - roanoke.com
A tractor-trailer wreck in Rockbridge County closed one lane of Interstate 81 on Wednesday night, but no one was seriously injured, according to Virginia State Police. Trooper W.L. Warren said a 2006 Freightliner truck jackknifed in the northbound lanes of the interstate near mile marker 190.7 about 7:15 p.m. The truck went off the left side of the road and through the guardrail.
Man gets 30 years for molesting girl - roanoke.com
An Alleghany County Circuit Court judge has sentenced a Covington man to serve 30 years of a 150-year sentence for sexually molesting an 11-year-old girl. Jason Wade Lundquist, 32, pleaded guilty in May to three counts of animate object sexual penetration and two counts of aggravated sexual battery, said Deputy Alleghany County Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Gardner.
Courthouse sold to developer - roanoke.com
The historic Rockbridge County structure will be renovated and leased to Washington and Lee.A deal to sell Rockbridge County's cherished courthouse was approved this week. It will be sold to a developer who plans to renovate it and lease it to Washington and Lee University. The county's board of supervisors voted unanimously to sell the courthouse for $225,000 to Rockbridge Partners LLC. The company intends to take advantage of historic tax credits and spend $2.1 million to renovate the building for office space to be used by W&L.

Daily News-Record

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Back To School
Shenandoah - Jennifer Hessler nervously paces back and forth across the room. Her heels click against the hardwood floors of Shenandoah Elementary School. It’s the last few minutes she has before the school year begins, and she’s putting the finishing touches on her new third grade classroom. Since she moved to Harrisonburg a
Mementos Given Back At Time Capsule Opening
ELKTON — At a ceremony attended by a crowd of about 125 people at Elk Run Cemetery last week, Elkton Centennial Jubilee Committee members officially opened and passed out the materials contained in the time capsule buried 25 years ago on  Aug. 20, 1983. The materials, which had  been found to be soaked when the time capsu

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