Perriello called vulnerable in Nov. 2 re-election bid

Fifth District U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello is among a handful of freshmen members of Congress considered to be most vulnerable in the Nov. 2 election, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Perriello and the other Democratic freshmen incumbents had “little time to settle into elected office before casting votes for key elements of (President Barack) Obama’s agenda that are overwhelmingly unpopular at home, including the health care law and the so-called cap-and-trade measure to curb carbon emissions,” the AP reported.

Democrats' grim outlook puts House up for grabs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Disgruntled voters, a sluggish economy and vanishing enthusiasm for President Barack Obama have put 75 seats or more in the House — the vast majority held by Democrats — at risk of changing hands and putting Republicans in charge.

Fifth District U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Albemarle County, is among the freshmen Democrat incumbents being mentioned as particularly vulnerable.

The Democrats could become a victim of their own successes during the past two elections, when candidates were swept into power by antipathy for President George W. Bush and ardor for Obama. Now, eight weeks from Election Day, the Democrats are bracing for the virtual certainty of lost House seats and scrambling to hold back a wave that could hand the GOP the 40 it needs to command a majority

Electronic game room rules being crafted

Martinsville’s proposed rules for electronic game rooms would apply to any business — regardless of its main purpose — having one or more computers or similar devices used to play sweepstakes, according to city officials.

That means the rules would apply to, for example, restaurants with one or two gaming devices to amuse diners as well as businesses that specialize in gaming, the Martinsville Planning Commission learned Tuesday.

Court: Police can use GPS to track suspects

RICHMOND — The same GPS technology that motorists use to get directions can be used by police without a warrant to track the movements of criminal suspects on public streets, the Virginia Court of Appeals said Tuesday.

Henry County Sheriff Lane Perry and Martinsville Police Chief Mike Rogers reacted positively to the decision.

School is back in session
Programs, technology greet students

A new school year kicked off Tuesday for Martinsville City Public Schools, with several new programs and new technology to help students learn.

“School staff have been working really hard to have things just right in preparation for the students’ arrival today,” said acting Superintendent Pam Heath. “The schools look bright and inviting, and students were smiling as they greeted friends and moved through the buildings.”

No first-day jitters at MHS
Under interim co-principals

Martinsville High School students got off to a new school year with new principals on Tuesday.

Earl Flynn, who has been an assistant principal at MHS, and Tommy Golding, the school’s athletic director, are serving as interim co-principals at MHS after former principal Tom Fitzgibbons was named director of advanced and special programming with the city schools.

Fitzgibbons’ job change took place last Wednesday. Principals were told Thursday and the MHS faculty learned of it Friday, just days before the new school year began, acting Martinsville school Superintendent Pam Heath said Friday.