Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 27, 1993 TAG: 9308270204
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
HAYMARKET - The cobra whose owner needed 35 vials of rare serum to reverse the effects of the snake's poisonous bite will help replenish East Coast hospitals' supply of the precious liquid.
The black forest cobra and 41 other poisonous snakes owned by Drew Yeager of Haymarket are to be milked to help produce anti-venom serum at the Miami Serpentarium in Punta Gorda, Fla.
Yeager, 34, was bitten by the cobra Aug. 19. He is recovering at Prince William Hospital. Serum from hospitals in several states was rushed to Virginia to treat Yeager.
- Associated Press
\ Farris withdraws from closed debate
RICHMOND - Republican lieutenant governor candidate Mike Farris withdrew Thursday from a closed debate sponsored by the Virginia Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Farris said Saturday's debate should be open to the press.
"Those who want to lead need to have candor and courage," Farris said in a letter to Garth Wheeler, director of the FOP in Richmond. "A behind-closed-doors debate discourages these qualities."
Gail Nardi, spokeswoman for Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer's campaign, said the Democrat would attend.
"We contacted the Fraternal Order of Police to tell them that we welcomed media coverage and that we would participate" whether the event was open to the media or not, she said.
Farris said he would reconsider his decision to withdraw if the organization opens the debate. Farris considered tape-recording the debate and playing it later for reporters, but he said he abandoned that idea after the FOP told him he would have to get Beyer's permission.
- Associated Press
\ Stafford County gets $3 million for airport
STAFFORD - The federal government will provide $3 million, part of the first installment of $32 million in federal funding, for the Stafford Regional Airport, officials said Thursday.
Quentin S. Taylor, an acting assistant administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the $3 million will be used for acquisition of land and construction at the airport site.
The federal contribution is 90 percent of the expected $36 million cost of the airport. The Virginia Department of Aviation has said it will contribute $2 million, and the local share will be $2 million. Stafford hopes to pay the local share from a donation of 60 acres from developer Bradford S. Kline.
The 521-acre airport is expected to open later this decade.
- Associated Press
\ Portsmouth throws hat into pari-mutuel ring
PORTSMOUTH - Virginia Racing Associates and city officials announced a partnership Thursday to build a horse racing track, the latest entry in an increasingly crowded field for the state's first pari-mutuel facility.
"We've still got a ways to go, but I'm confident we'll make it," said former state Sen. Elmon Gray, president of Virginia Racing Associates.
The proposed track would be built on 475 acres that is now part of the Fairwood Homes housing complex. The site is adjacent to Interstate 264.
Mayor Gloria Webb announced the $40 million track plan at a news conference with Gray and other city officials at a horse farm. - Associated Press
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB