Friday, May 17, 2013
Marchex Institute says Ohio residents swear the most on consumer calls but Virginians are among the most courteous.
Virginia isn't just for lovers — it's also for nice people. That's the finding from the Marchex Institute, a data analysis firm. Just in time for National Etiquette Week, Marchex released findings on the most courteous and the least courteous states in the nation. The Institute examined more than 600,000 phone calls from the past 12 months. You know, the calls that "may be recorded for training purposes." The calls were placed by consumers to businesses across 30 industries, including cable and satellite companies, auto dealerships, pest control centers and more, says Marchex. The Institute scanned for curse words from A to F to S (use your imagination). Analysts then linked the frequency of those words with all 50 states. The data placed …
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Herring represents central and west Alexandria in the state House of Delegates.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Beginning in 2013, residents will no longer have the option to receive paper checks for refunds and can only use direct deposit to their bank account or receive a prepaid debit card.
Virginians who are used to receiving paper checks for their income tax refunds will only have two options to choose from starting next year: direct deposit or prepaid debit card. According to the Virginia Department of Taxation’s website, paper check refunds will not be issued in 2013 because of a requirement from the 2012-2014 Appropriations Act which states income tax refunds can only be issued by direct deposit or on a prepaid debit card beginning with tax year 2012 returns. The change, according to the department’s website, is part of a cost-savings initiative. This is the first time the prepaid debit card has been offered as an option. How The Refund Debit Card Works All Virginia Tax Refund Debit Cards will be a non-reloadable …
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Virginia's gas tax is a flat rate tax, but changes could be in the making.
Next year’s Thanksgiving road trip may be a little more expensive as Virginia officials grapple with how to adequately fund Virginia’s growing transportation infrastructure needs. Gov. Bob McDonnell said earlier this month that raising Virginia’s gas tax, tying it to inflation or otherwise adjusting it is not off the table. “I’m looking at a range of things,” McDonnell told reporters in Richmond. “I can tell you that every other major tax in Virginia—the sales tax, the corporate income tax, and the [personal] income tax—all fluctuate with economic activity because they’re a percentage. ... We’re looking at whether or not ... it should fluctuate with economic activity, like every other tax in Virginia.” Right now, Virginia’s state gas tax …
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The governor said power should be restored to all Dominion customers by Thursday.
Gov. Bob McDonnell said in his final press briefing for Hurricane Sandy that Virginia was "spared a significant event." “First responders and private partners, they have really done an amazing job preparing for the storm and applying lessons learned from previous storms and putting in an incredible amount of hours,” McDonnell said. McDonnell cited concerns about rivers cresting as flood waters go into the major arteries, and he expected an update on that later Tuesday. Virginia was awarded a federal disaster declaration yesterday, said McDonnell, noting he was “delighted” that President Barack Obama and FEMA were on it immediately. "That is only for federal direct assistance to allow them to provide resources directly and as we do our …
Friday, October 12, 2012
U.S. Senate candidate responds to 10 questions posed by Patch readers in Northern Virginia.
A few weeks ago, we asked Patch readers in Northern Virginia to throw out some questions for George Allen and Tim Kaine, both vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Virginia. So you asked and the candidates answered. Read George Allen's responses here. Tim Kaine's answers, published below, are unedited. 1. There is considerable reporting in the popular media that Social Security and Medicare are in financial ruin and in need of a fix, but every time one person dares to speak-up and suggest constructive measures to save the system, the other candidate attacks that person for being insensitive to the needs of seniors and claims the proponent of modifications wants to dismantle the programs. How would you address these issues knowing full well …
Thursday, October 11, 2012
U.S. Senate candidates answer questions posed by our Northern Virginia readers.
Last month, Patch asked our readers in Northern Virginia for a favor. We wanted to submit questionnaires to both U.S. Senate candidates in Virginia and we wanted our readers to come up with the questions. You all delivered. Patch posed a list of 10 questions to former governors and U.S. Senate candidates Tim Kaine (D) and George Allen (R), ranging in topics from Social Security to drug abuse in high schools. The candidates responded and we've published their answers online.
U.S. Senate candidate responds to 10 questions posed by Patch readers in Northern Virginia.
A few weeks ago, we asked Patch readers in Northern Virginia to throw out some questions for George Allen and Tim Kaine, both vying for the open U.S. Senate seat in Virginia. So you asked and the candidates answered. Read Tim Kaine's responses here. George Allen's answers, published below, are unedited. 1. There is considerable reporting in the popular media that Social Security and Medicare are in financial ruin and in need of a fix, but every time one person dares to speak-up and suggest constructive measures to save the system, the other candidate attacks that person for being insensitive to the needs of seniors and claim the proponent of modifications wants to dismantle the programs. How would you address these issues knowing full …
Monday, October 8, 2012
Hundreds of patients received doses of steroids tainted with meningitis. Know the signs and symptoms.
There are now five known cases of meningitis and related strokes in Virginia, but more than 600 people may have received tainted steroid injections, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Although the clinics known to have received tainted steroids are far from Northern Virginia — Insight Imaging in Roanoke and New River Valley Surgery Center in Christiansburg — the story is still developing and additional clinics could be listed. The tainted product has been recalled, VDH reports. A number of patients also received tainted steroids at clinics in Maryland, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (See more about the Maryland meningitis cases here.) However, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of…
Friday, October 5, 2012
Purchase new or used qualifying products in stores or online between Friday and Monday.
Virginia is hosting its annual sales tax holiday for Energy Star and WaterSense products such as dishwashers and sink faucets Friday through Monday. Consumers can purchase a variety of environmentally friendly products during the four-day event and not pay the 5 percent state and local sales tax on those items. The products must cost $2,500 or less each and be purchased for noncommercial or personal use. Online purchases of qualifying Energy Star and WaterSense products also will be exempt from the sales tax as long as the orders are placed during the exemption period and the sellers have the items available for immediate shipment. “Purchasing energy-efficient appliances and other products is a smart move and this sales tax holiday adds …
Terrence Dankel
11:13 am on Saturday, May 18, 2013
I think there's also a difference when the swearing is used as a adjective for type of service given and a verb as in #@%& you! For some folks it may be more excusable in terms of vocabulary of description. In reality, it's definitely a case where better word choice exists. Hot heads or verbally challenged will drop in to the cursing pothole which makes a rough ride of the day. more ›