UVa Medical Center Cleared by Medicare

The Health Care Financing Administration has inspected the UVa Medical Center, and is prepared to release a report indicating that they can continue to receive payment from Medicare funds. UVa’s Medicare funding was threatened by the recent allegations of rape against an employee of the psychiatric ward. Jake Mooney has the story in today’s Progress.

Chamber Rejects Living Wage

The Chamber of Commerce‘s Board of Directors has voted to oppose a living wage in Charlottesville. They felt that it wouldn’t have an effect, that it may not be necessary, and that the government may not have a role in assigning the minimum wage. Only one board member, Greer Wilson, voted in favor of the living wage. Reed Williams has the full story in today’s Progress.

Fluvanna Approves Power Plant

Last night, Fuvanna’s Planning Commission has approved Yet Another Power Plant; Buckingham approved Tenaska‘s plant just a few months ago. The Fluvanna plant, a project of Competitive Power Ventures of Maryland, will be natural gas-burning. In Austin Graham’s article in the Progress, he writes that “[t]he surprise Monday was not that Fluvanna’s Planning Commission gave its blessing to a much-criticized power plant proposal, but that so few people spoke against it.” About 20 people spoke against it at the meeting. The plant will be located just a mile from Lake Monticello. Construction begins in 2002.

Sabato Named VPA’s Virginian of the Year

UVa professor and well-known political analyst Larry Sabato has been named as the Virginia Press Association‘s Virginian of the Year. The Cavalier Daily has the full story.

UVa Psych. Patient Denied Rape Treatment

One of the psychiatric patients who recently reported being raped at the UVa Medical Center was denied an exam, but she was given morning-after pills to prevent pregnancy. Her medical records confirm this. These rape allegations are the source of the recent firing of Medical Center employees that had been conviced of felonies. Claudia Pinto has a detailed story about this in today’s Progress.

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