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There's no place like home in bioterror attack

Imagine, for a second, that the grim predictions of bioterror come true. Imagine that somehow, somewhere, a terrorist group plants a lethal virus on American soil, and now it's only a matter of time before the contagion finds a path to your doorstep.


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City, County relax water restrictions

With reservoir levels steadily increasing to over 75 percent as of yesterday, Charlottesville City and Albemarle County officials decided to re-evaluate some water restrictions, including those hindering normal car wash operations. County car washes will be able to return to full operation immediately, though car wash owners in the city must apply to the Department of Public Works for exception from the city's conservation ordinance. Jim Palmborg, Charlottesville public utilities manager, said all car wash owners still must produce plans for a 20 percent reduction in water usage, like any other business operating in the city.


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News in Brief

Candidates for Maryland's governor debate gun law Less than a week before Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend faces Republican opponent Robert L.


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Casteen, Warner make last push of support for bond referendum

With Election Day just around the corner, Gov. Mark R. Warner and University President John T. Casteen III are reiterating their support of the proposed statewide higher education bond that will appear on ballots this Tuesday. If a majority of voters favor the bond referendum, it will provide funds totaling over $900 million to pay for capital projects for Virginia's state-supported colleges, universities and museums. "The governor has been supportive of the bond referendum," Warner spokeswoman Ellen Qualls said.


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Meredith M. Richards (Democrat)

Charlottesville City Councilwoman and former Vice-mayor Meredith Richards challenges three-term incumbent Virgil Goode in Virginia's 5th Congressional District with the hope that high unemployment levels in parts of the region will be enough to convince voters of a need for a change in leadership. "While so many parts of the 5th District are suffering from double-digit unemployment," she states on her Web site, "Congressman Goode has done next to nothing to bring new jobs, extend unemployment benefits or create the opportunities we so desperately need." Both Goode and Richards realize that economic issues are king in the struggling district, and Richards has a list of plans intended to eclipse Goode's three terms worth of experience. Richards' proposals include the appointment of an 'Economic Development Director' to work with the region's elected officials in reviving the region's economy.


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John W. Warner (Republican)

Virginia's 75-year-old four-term Republican Senator is seeking another term this year that many campaign-watchers say is in the bag since he faces no Democratic opposition. The war veteran and ex-husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor is listing national security as his chief concern for the campaign.


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Mail mixup hinders student voting

With the general election less than a week away, nearly 150 students at James Madison University are being told that they are not eligible to vote. Fred Hilton, director of University Communications at JMU, said because of an administrative error, student registrations from a recent voter drive were postmarked after the Oct.


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Study reveals nationwide increase in part-time, nontenure faculty

College students across the country may want to get used to seeing unfamiliar faces in lecture classes. There has been a significant increase in the number of both full-time faculty members with no tenure-track status and part-time faculty members over the past 20 years, according to a recent study conducted by the American Council on Education.


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Water restrictions remain for car washes

As the rain continues to fall and warnings of drought conditions persist, many local business owners are left questioning current water restrictions. In accordance with Phase II water restrictions that went into effect about a month ago, "all washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers or any other type of motor vehicle or mobile equipment is prohibited." The mandate initially forced all car washes to shut down completely because they had no water with which to wash vehicles. "It's been crippling to the whole car wash economy in this market," said Craig Hanson, President of Wash Tech, a car wash service and supply company based in Charlottesville. However, Charlottesville City Council may offer car wash owners some relief soon, as they will reevaluate restrictions now that the reservoir's water level has once again reached 70 percent. "Our board of directors is meeting [Wednesday], and I believe they will act to restore service to car washes," said Bill Brent, executive director of the Albemarle County Service Authority. As of yesterday, the total usable water supply was at 74.1 percent. Many car washes now have reopened using alternative water sources. "In general, it's reduced the business we do by about one third," said Brian Harris, general manager of Express Car Wash on Route 29.


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Nancy B. Spannaus (Independent)

By aligning herself so closely to Lyndon LaRouche, a political extremist once indicted on charges of credit card fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice, Nancy Spannaus may be undercutting her bid for John Warner's seat in the Senate, pundits say.


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General Obligation Bond Referendum

With the toll that the economic downturn and budget difficulties have taken on Virginia's public colleges, voters also will be asked to decide in referenda on Tuesday whether or not to support the General Obligation Bond that would provide $846 million in funding for construction and other capital projects at museums and higher education institutions across the state. Of the $846 million that the education bond would generate over the course of the next six years, $68.3 million would pay for specific construction and renovation projects at the University.


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Health system starts up plans for 'top' status

The University Medical Center, School of Medicine and Health Services Foundation have formed committees to launch the Decade Plan, a collaborative effort to improve the health system. The Decade Plan's vision aims to have the University Health System and School of Medicine achieve "top institution" status by the end of the decade.


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Jacob G. Hornberger (Independent)

Running as a Libertarian candidate, Jacob G. Hornberger, a rising figure in the Libertarian Party and founder of the Libertarian Future of Freedom Foundation, hopes to win the bid for Virginia's Senate seat by advocating traditional Libertarian policies that include a paring-down of the federal government and the suspension of the War on Drugs and gun control, as well as policies of military aggression toward Iraq. "I believe that our country is headed in a wrong direction -- one that threatens the freedom, prosperity and well-being of the American people," Hornberger states on his campaign Web site.


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Foxfield to receive verdict in December

After three days of testimony spread out over the last seven weeks, a Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board hearing to determine the status of the Foxfield Racing Association's liquor license ended yesterday -- with no decision in sight until at least mid-December. Lawyers for Foxfield and the ABC will submit closing arguments and rebuttals to hearing officer Clara A.


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News in Brief

James Madison and George Mason announce mid-year tuition hikes George Mason University announced a $192 tuition increase per student for the spring semester last week that will affect both in-state and out-of-state undergraduates. GMU officials said the tuition hike will reap about $3.3 million in extra revenue and is necessary for GMU to maintain a full roster of classes. Officials also cited the need to maintain current library and technology lab hours and to fill some faculty positions.

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Since the Contemplative Commons opening April 4, the building has hosted events for the University community. Sam Cole, Commons’ Assistant Director of Student Engagement, discusses how the Contemplative Sciences Center is molding itself to meet students’ needs and provide a wide range of opportunities for students to discover contemplative practices that can help them thrive at the University.