The Daily News Leader from Staunton, Virginia • 3

A3 City Editor Cindy Corell 213-9123, ccorellnewsleader.com www.newsleader.com Tuesday, January 4, 2005 Local State Richmond's murder rate climbs Ml. IIMUlim I -5 assault, burglary and car thefts. While officials and crime experts cite several factors that likely play into Richmond's continuing problem, they said the city's long-standing culture of gun violence is a major catalyst. "If you look at large numbers of communities that are similar demo-graphically, you'd find that their murder rate is not as high," said U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty, chief federal prosecutor for Eastern Virginia.

"Unfortunately in Richmond, it's more of an expectation or a pattern that goes back a long time to where acceptability of gun violence exists. That is a peculiar challenge for Richmond." The Associated Press RICHMOND In the final hours of 2004, Richmond topped its 2003 murder rate by one, securing its distinction as one of the nation's most dangerous cities. The city's final homicide of the year called in to police around 8 p.m. New Year's Eve was number 95, surpassing the previous year's 94. In 2002, there were 83 and in 2001, 69.

Murders in the United States dropped by nearly 6 percent in the first half of 2004 after rising for four straight years, the FBI reported. Numbers from the second half of 2004 have not been compiled. Richmond had the coun- On The Web Morgan Quitno: www.morganquitno.com Richmond Police: www.ci.richmond.va.uspo lice try's fourth highest murder rate in 2003 and was ranked the nation's ninth most dangerous city overall in 2004 beating out Miami and Compton, Calif. Richmond is the sixth most dangerous when compared to other cities with populations of 100,000 to 499,999. The rankings, compiled by the private, independent research firm and publisher Morgan Quitno, are based on six FBI crime categories murder, rape, robbery, aggravated The Associated Press Richmond Police Detective Ron Brown stands in front of photos of 2004 Richmond homicide victims Dec.

29. Other factors such as drugs, unemployment and gangs also play roles, said Lt. John Venuti, head of the police department's Violent Crimes Division. Much hope for change is Kilgore files papers Bus accident injures 16 pupils Households that are out of fuel or whose heat has been disconnected within the last 30 days or will be disconnected within the next 7 days, may be eligible. Households who received fuel assistance but have exhausted their benefits might also be eligible.

Augusta County and Staunton residents should apply at the Verona office across from the Government Center. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Call 245-5800 or 245-5890.

Waynesboro residents should apply at the Waynesboro office located at 1200 Shenandoah or call 942-6646 to request an application. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. School board interviews firms WAYNESBORO The Waynesboro School Board will meet in closed session at 6 p.m.

today and Wednesday to interview construction management firms for the Kate Collins Middle School renovation project. The board will meet at its office on 301 Pine Ave. Program planned at planetarium HARRISONBURG How did astronomers discover galaxies? That question is probed in the newest public program at the M.T. Brackbill Planetarium at Eastern Mennonite University. "Galaxies: Island Universes" will be presented 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, and repeated Jan. 23, Feb. 6, Feb. 20 and Mar. 20.

The D.R. Hostetter Museum of Natural History, next to the planetarium, will be open from p.m. Admission to the planetarium and museum in EMU's Suter Science Center is free. The Associated Press RICHMOND Attorney General Jerry Kilgore has submitted the paperwork that formally establishes his campaign for governor. Kilgore, facing only a token challenge for the Republican nomination this year, on Monday filed his statement of organization with the State Board of Briefly Superintendent to meet with parents STUARTS DRAFT Gary McQuain, superintendent for Augusta County Schools, will meet informally with community members today from 3 to 6 p.m.

at Stuarts Draft Middle School. "Virginia Farming" guests announced HARRISONBURG Host Jeff Lshee and guests address the farming industry's latest news and important issues during "Virginia Farming," the Commonwealth's only locally produced, weekly televised farm series, at 7 p.m. Fridays onWVPT. Friday: Jimmy and Lynn Graves return to talk about how their family has successfully expanded their multi-generational farm to take advantage of agritourism and direct-marketing opportunities. Jan.

14: Tom Burford and Charlotte Shelton discuss raising heirloom apple varieties in Virginia. Jan. 21: JimRiddell will update viewers on the proposed National Animal ID program and how it will impact livestock operations. Jan. 28: We return to the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton to tour the American Farm and see how Virginia farm families lived in the mid-1800s.

To submit program topic ideas, contact Jeff lshee (540) 434-7084. ore-mail, JefMonthefarm radio.com. Visit www.wvpt.net for the schedule of upcoming guests. Energy aid available VERONA Applications for crisis assistance are available at the Verona and Waynesboro offices of Shenandoah Valley Social Services. The program helps households in emergency situations by making payments for security deposits for primary heat and for repairsreplacements of primary heating equipment.

Meeting Agenda Augusta County Board of Supervisors When: 5 p.m. Wednesday Where: Augusta County Government Center, Verona Issue: Reorganize for 2005 Impact: Elect a chairman and vice chairman. Reported by: Joel Baird. jbairdnewsleader.com The News Leader The Associated Press A man examines a Hampton city school bus resting in a ditch early Monday after a crash in Hampton. The bus rear-ended a car, then overturned into a ditch, injuring 16 pupils, officials said.

The bus, with 31 pupils on board, was about four miles from Machen Elementary School when it braked to avoid hitting a car that had stopped to turn left, police Cpl. Jimmie Wideman said. Meeting Report Waynesboro City Council Work in i iJ Mr KM -37 i being placed on the shoulders of former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, whose tough-on-crime stance was a major message in his successful campaign for mayor.

Elections. The filing sets up his candidate committee for the Nov. 8 election. Lt. Gov.

Timothy M. Kaine, Kilgore 's presumptive Democratic opponent, has not yet filed his statement. Both candidates have hired key campaign staff and are fundraising. The News Leader pizza. Free.

332-3902. Children's story times: 9:30 a.m., Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave. Mother Goose Time will feature rhymes, songs and activities for infants to age at 3:45 p.m., A Little Cool Stuff will feature songs, stories and activities for children in Pre-Kto grade 1.332-3902. Qi gong for self-Improvement: p.m., Rosenwald Community Center, 413 Port Republic Road, Waynesboro. Sign up anytime; fee will be prorated.

$28 for eight sessions. 942-6735. Ever Young singers: 10 a.m., First Baptist Church, 406 W. Frederick Staunton. A group that sings to nursing home residents.

Prospective members are invited. 885-3519. To submit items, e-mail calendar newsleader.com or send to Calendar, The News Leader, PO Box 59, Staunton, VA 24402-0059 Man charged in Session When: 6 p.m. Monday Where: Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building Absent: Tim Williams Issue: Financial policies Impact: City financial consultants Davenport Co.

presented the city with several proposed financial policies, which would set guidelines for debt-to-property-tax ratios and debt-to-per-capita-income ratios. David Rose, of Davenport said the guidelines are meant to help the city's long-term financial health. Public Input: None Decision: Council will consider at an upcoming meeting. Vote: None needed shooting and fire into a parked car where two other men were sitting. Two shots went into the car but did not hit the passengers.

Turner is being held in the Augusta County Jail. The investigation is ongoing and the Waynesboro Police Department is asking anyone with information about the case to contact Sgt. Rebecca Moran at 942-6736 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-2017. Afton resident arrested in connection with drive-by By Jonathan D. Jonesstaff jjonesnewsleader.com WAYNESRORO An Afton man has been arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting in the city, according to police.

Wade Nathaniel Turn Key Dates Reported by: Jonathan 0. Jones, jjonesnewsleader.com Community Event Calendar Today Mary Baldwin College classes begin (Christian) of the Theophany of Christ (Orthodox) test registration deadline i Wednesday 1 Staunton personal property taxes er. 21, of 192 Paloma Farm Lane, Afton, faces a felony charge of trying to shoot with intent to maim, disfigure or kill, Waynesboro police spokesman Sgt. Brian Jenkins said in an e-mail. The charge is in connection with a shooting that happened about 5 p.m.

Jan. 1 near Third Street and Ivanhoe Avenue. Police say witnesses saw a man get out of a gold-colored sedan Church, 473 S. Wayne Ave. For mothers with nursing babies and mothers-to-be.

Other children are welcome. 949-0828. CASA volunteer orientation: Noon-1 p.m., Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce building, Va. 608 and Ladd Road, Fishersville. Court Appointed Special Advocates will conduct orientation for prospective volunteers.

213-CASA, casaforkidsntelos.net. Churchville Senior Center: 9 a.m., coffee break and music; 9:30 a.m., puzzles; 10 a.m., blood pressure checks; 10:30 a.m., Forrest Surface; 1 1 :30 a.m., lunch; 12:30 p.m., PACE (Sikh) Thursday Epiphany Feast (Orthodox) Friday i Nativity ACT due From Staff Reports Lottery Pick 3 Day: 9-1-8 Night: 8-6-4 Pick 4 Day: 6-0-6-9 Night: 0-8-1-6 Cash Five Day: 6-13-22-25-26 Night: 5-7-19-21-23 January 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 305678 9 10 1T12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 0 More calendar data online at www.newsleader.com Waynesboro. Covers a range of motions or movements. Gentle movements will not involve high impact. Ign up anytime; fee will be prorated.

$28 for eight sessions. 942-6735. Wednesday Party Bridge: 1 p.m., Administration Building, Montgomery Hall Park, 1 000 Montgomery Staunton. Open to beginners and experienced players. Call 337-6093 anytime or 886-931 9 between 7 and 10 p.m.

AARP, Staunton Chapter 1 650: 1 1 :30 a.m., luncheon meeting, Evers Restaurant, Mount Crawford. Call for Twelfth Night (Christian) Guru Gobindh Singh birthday practice: 1 0 a.m., Verona United Methodist Church, 406 Lee Highway. An interdenominational group dedicated to preserving classic hymns. Seeking new members. 337-8337, 885-1166.

Churchville Senior Center: 9 a.m., coffee break and music; 9:30 a.m., word search; 10:30 a.m., bingo; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 12:30 p.m., walking, putt-putt; 1:30 p.m., village visit. 337-6000. Bingo: 6:30 p.m., Staunton Moose Lodge 1 635. All regular games, $1 00. Two $500 jackpots will be awarded.

Winner take all. Ballroom dance lessons: 11 a.m., Garden Center, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton. Beginner lessons will be at 1 1 a.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Intermediate lessons will be at 7 p.m.

$10 per person per night. 363-5745. A Little Lunch Music: Noon, Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave. Paula Homes will perform "Instruments of Peace." Bring lunch or share free Today Children's storytimes: Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchvillo Ave. 9:30 a.m., Mother Goose Time will feature rhymes, songs and activities for infants to age 10:30 a.m., Toddler Time will feature short stories, puppets and activities for 2-year-olds.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. 332-3902. Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association: 6:30 p.m. 576-INFO, www.svgla.org. Educational advancement chapter night: 7:30 p.m., Staunton Moose Lodge 1439.

Hosted by the Ladies of Staunton Moose. Senior Activity Day: 11 a.m.-2p.m., at the Family Center, Verona Moose Lodge 2172. For adults 55 or older. There will be bingo, games and a covered-dish meal. Open to the public.

248-5932. Qi gong for self-Improvement: p.m., Rosenwald Community Center, 413 Port Republic Road, reservations. 885-4371 886-2170. Children's programs: Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave. 9:30 a.m., Mother Goose Time will feature rhymes, songs and activities for infants to age 2 and their caregivers; 10:30 a.m., preschool story time for 3- to 5-year-olds will feature activities to help develop language skills; p.m., Cool Stuff After School will feature books, culture and language without pressure for children in grades K-6.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. 332-3902. La Leche League, Waynesboro: 9:30 a.m., St. John's Episcopal exercises with Carol Byrd; 1:30 p.m., banking, cards, puzzles. 337-6000.

Staunton Stitchers quilting group: 6:30 p.m., second floor, Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave. Open to the public. Free. Athletic Boosters' Club: 7 p.m., Robert E. Lee High Schoolcafeteria, 1200 N.CoalterSt., Staunton.

Stress reduction, yoga class: 6 p.m., at the H.O.P.E. offices, Goose Creek Medical Park, 907 Goose Creek Road, Suite 105, Fishersville. Free. 213-2220. Thursday Happy Notes.