40 years later, polyurethane firm still a 'job shop'

WINCHESTER -- As a boy growing up in Purcellville in the early 1960s, Tom Heitfield was rarely without a pair of roller skates strapped to his feet.

Local incubator effort continues

FRONT ROYAL -- A steering committee has been established to help develop a small-business incubator program in downtown Front Royal, according to the local Economic Development Authority.

Conference on exports planned

Rep. Frank Wolf, R-10th, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce, will host a conference on exporting on Sept. 14 in Loudoun County.

Restaurateur sues SU firm

WINCHESTER -- The owner of a long-running restaurant claims Shenandoah University forced him out of business.

ATM upgrade part of integration plans

Wachovia branches in the Northern Shenandoah Valley now feature upgraded ATMs courtesy of the bank's corporate parent, Wells Fargo.

Governor visits Winchester plant

WINCHESTER -- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell breezed through Winchester on Thursday to tour the National Fruit Product Co. and take questions from workers on job training and the economy.

Hearing set for business program

FRONT ROYAL -- The Warren County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing next month to get input on various local needs regarding a proposed program the county's community action agency proposes to help boost microenterprise assistance in the area.

Ordinance proposed to limit pawnshops

WOODSTOCK -- A proposed ordinance would allow the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors to limit the number of pawnshops in the county.

Cabinetmaker narrows 1Q loss

WINCHESTER -- American Woodmark narrowed its first-quarter loss on improved sales in both the remodeling and new construction markets, the company said Tuesday.

Media professor to appear on TV

BENTONVILLE -- A local resident will be a featured guest on an upcoming episode of the public television program "The Open Mind."

Norfolk Southern upgrades junction

FRONT ROYAL -- Norfolk Southern has reconfigured its rail junction in Warren County, eliminating a major choke point in the company's multi-state Crescent Corridor initiative.

From valley and beyond

WOODSTOCK -- After six months of dark windows and empty shelves, The Farmhouse has swung open its doors once again.

Message added to welcome signs

CLEAR BROOK -- The familiar cardinal-and-dogwood signs welcoming travelers to Virginia feature a new message: "Open For business."

REC opens office in Warren County

FRONT ROYAL -- Rappahannock Electric Cooperative officially opened its Blue Ridge office and operations center in the Kelley Industrial Park this week.

Telephone, tech companies merge

WINCHESTER -- Tech Team Solutions has acquired Telephone Wiring Inc., a local provider of business telephone systems and cabling services.

HobNob attracts area candidates

WINCHESTER -- Candidates for several area congressional and statehouse races will attend the Sept. 10 HobNob in the Valley event, sponsored by the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber.

Trex teams with local dealer

WINCHESTER -- For fans of Trex's outdoor living products, there's a new dealer in town. Frederick Block, Brick & Stone on Martinsburg Pike now features the manufacturer's entire portfolio, including Transcend, Trex's new line of ultra-low-maintenance decking and railing.

'Free gelato' today for city farmers market customers

Free-range. Pesticide-free. Those words flow freely at the Freight Station Farmers Market, held two to three days a week in the parking lot of the Winchester Little Theatre, 315 W. Boscawen St.

Local Markets

Shenandoah County Real estate Over $25,000 HSBC Bank to Victoria M. Heath, Davis District, 133 N. Charles St., Strasburg, $130,500. 300N LLC to Jacob Davis and wife, 614 Dellinger Drive, Strasburg, $246,000. Betty J. West, Thomas E. Harris III and...

Realtor launches private business

EDINBURG -- Kerry Sheridan has lived the life of a broker for Century 21 in Woodstock for nine years and is now, as she puts it, "ready to begin the next chapter."

Summit hurt by problem loans

MOOREFIELD, W.Va. -- The holding company for Winchester-based Summit Community Bank reported a net loss of $2.95 million, or 40 cents a share, for the second quarter as it continues to address a level of problem assets that President and CEO H. Charles Maddy III calls "stubbornly high."

Sales tax holiday runs through Sun.

Virginia's sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing is this weekend. Through Sunday, purchases of qualifying school supplies retailing for $20 or less per item as well as clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item will be exempt from the state's 5 percent sales tax.

SU gets federal funds for nursing

WINCHESTER -- Shenandoah University is among the recipients of more than $5.5 million in federal grants to health care workforce training programs in Virginia.

Shentel adds more customers

EDINBURG -- Shentel showed improved operating results while continuing to grow its customer base in the second quarter.

Retail fixture to go out of business

WOODSTOCK -- Ben Franklin, the arts and crafts store that has been a fixture in town for nearly three quarters of a century, will begin discounting merchandise this week in preparation for going out of business.

LFCC inks new admissions deal

MIDDLETOWN -- Lord Fairfax Community College has signed a guaranteed admission agreement with Virginia International University in Fairfax.

Curtain closes on theater

STRASBURG -- With its main cast of characters mired in acrimony, the Strasburg Theater has closed its doors.

ShenSpa to close after no buyer comes forward

WOODSTOCK -- After three months on the market without an offer, ShenSpa is closing its doors.

Shentel gains cable TV assets

EDINBURG -- Shentel announced Friday it has completed its purchase of the cable operations of JetBroadband Holdings LLC in southside Virginia and southern West Virginia.

Bay health bill clears committee

The House Agriculture Committee this week passed a bill introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th, designed to protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay while also ensuring the strength and vitality of family farms and communities within the watershed.