The Trident

Virginia wildlife officials, water quality experts and local anglers are surprised and dismayed to see the Maury River on the Virginia Health Department's (VDH) fish consumption advisory list. The Maury, whose clear waters and scenic surroundings attract fisherman, kayakers and tubers from across the state, is one of 27 new fisheries in Virginia to receive an advisory since December.

As the sun set and the temperature dropped below freezing, the VMI Corps of cadets was on the parade deck practicing for the seventh time before the big day. And on Thursday, more than 1,000 of the 1,300 cadets traveled to Washington, D.C. to march in the Inaugural parade.

Business is booming at the last major food pantry in Rockbridge County - and that's not a good sign. In 2004, Rockbridge Area Relief Association's (RARA) food pantry was one of four emergency food sources available to the poor. But within the last 30 days, two of the county's larger pantries have either closed or reduced their services.

The last few minutes before a show are always somewhat hectic. As freshman Libby Moore attempted to heal her sore throat in preparation for her first solo, Kristine Holda curled her hair (and burnt herself with the iron), Paten Hughes checked the mirror one last time before going on stage, MC Joe Harouni joked around with the crew, and sophomore Sheryl Silvers knit-to calm her nerves.

The Vista Links, the golf course in Buena Vista that opened last August, is the newest project aspiring to improve Buena Vista's image and tourism industry. The project is surrounded by hype- but it may actually be worth the hype it has generated so far. Vista Links is a 18-hole par 72 championship course designed by award-winning architect Rick Jacobson, who has done several other major golf designs in the mid-Atlantic area.