Moonshine Still Confiscated

      A 15-gallon moonshine still and 100 gallons of mash were recovered Tuesday at Page.
      According to Buchanan County Sheriff Ray Foster, a search warrant was executed at 1:08 p.m. at the Page area residence where the still was recovered.
The suspected owner was not home at the time and Foster said warrants were pending for the suspect’s arrest.
       Foster said the still was spotted by Deputy Billy Stiltner on Sunday when Stiltner went to the residence to serve a court summons on the homeowner. He saw the still through the window, Foster said. As a result, Foster said, a warrant was obtained and executed Tuesday.
       No further details were available.
 

 Proposed Budget Includes 3 Percent Teacher Raise

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
      Several new initiatives for public schools, including a projected teacher raise of 3 percent, are included in Gov. Mark Warner’s projected budget for 2006-2007.
       Superintendent Tommy P. Justus commented on several of them in an interview Friday, noting that all are subject to approval by the General Assembly before they take effect.
        The General Assembly session starts January 11, 2006.
        “Overall, in the total budget projected, entitlements are up,” Justus said.
       As proposed, he said, the governor’s projected budget sets aside $235,768 for a 3 percent teacher raise.
       For the Buchanan school system to give a 3 percent raise, Justus said, it costs the some $800,000.
        Traditionally, when the school system has given the raise to teachers, it has also extended the same percentage raise to all school employees.
         To access the state funding, the locality must give an average 3 percent raise, Justus said, noting that if the raise is not given, the additional state funds earmarked for a raise are not passed on to a locality.
        The impact of salary scales implemented last year for the Buchanan school system was not known at press time; however, if the average raise from the current school year to the next school year amounts to 3 percent or better, the local school system will be able to qualify for the state funding without further action.
         Changes in funding provided for Standards of Quality initiatives are also included in the governor’s budget proposal.
        Among the changes is the addition of SOQ funds to pay for fine arts, elementary physical education and assistant principals as well as some support staff positions like psychologists. Previously, Justus said, school divisions -- like Buchanan -- with those employees have been paying the full amount of those salaries using local funds.
        State funding for the county, he said, is projected to increase by some $1.84 million, however, he noted many programs require a local match which in turn drives up the local share funding needed.

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