Health care reform as he knows it having fallen deathly ill, President Barack Obama rushed (STAT!) to the White House briefing room Wednesday, donning rhetorical mask and gown, scrubbing truth like a foul germ from his hands and flicking on the Teleprompter for a rescue operation in prime time.

North Carolinians talk a lot about the need to develop alternative forms of energy. But when it comes to windmills, “not in my backyard” is a common refrain, just as it is in other parts of the country.

» Monday’s public hearing about the proposed Wilderness Wal-Mart offers another good opportunity for citizens to voice their opinions.

» Culpeper has rallied behind the derby in its six-year existence, helping our community become a major player in the sport.

» The people have a voice for public dialogue in first-term supervisor from Salem District.

» Summer is traditionally a time when academics take a back seat, but not this year in Culpeper.

» Of Tim Kaine, Virginia rest stops, Sotomayor and a student’s destiny.

The $20.5 million option seems like the best approach, but voters would likely have the final say.

» It’s yet another move to break the back of business and expand the federal government’s power.

» Annual events such as the CMR Farm Show help make Culpeper a great place, and locals are working to restore another popular event: the Culpeper Open tennis tourney.

» The company’s corporate office could have relieved worries by alerting the county when it determined layoffs weren’t necessary.

» A power outage resulting in a sewage spill taught Culpeper and its power company a big lesson on emergency communications.

» To save our history, they must work with Wal-Mart and a key landowner to select a site away from the Wilderness battlefield.

» Culpeper’s kids and parents are fortunate to have a wide variety of activities this summer.

» Last week, the haunted arhitect of the Vietnam War passed from this world to the next.

» Now, the owner of a local walk-in clinic is looking to clean up the mess and get on with life.

» Drug smuggling from Mexico deserves our attention, but it doesn’t deserve sending 1,500 troops to combat the problem.

» The gridiron is becoming a year-round destination for area high schools, and young swimmers are making their presence known.

» Bad economic news has hit our community hard in recent weeks, but in many ways our area is in better shape than others.

» The economic climate presents a perfect opportunity for the county to start construction on the western bypass of the outer loop road.

» It’s sad that our state has to enact common-sense laws to protect us from a) ourselves and b) overzealous bureaucrats.

» The town of Culpeper is right to explore changing its policy on the reservation of water and sewer tap connections.

» A number of area residents and organizations recently have been recognized for their efforts.

» The men who run Pop’s Pizza and Horizon Funeral Home have fascinating stories and hope to carve out a niche in Culpeper.

» Shirley Gray’s decision to retire from coaching leaves a void at Culpeper County High School, other athletic news is promising

It would be a major blow if Culpeper’s largest private school is forced to close due to funding.

The town’s participation in the Neighborhood Stabilization Project has merit but also raises concerns.

» Star went through numerous stages during his career, but his enduring legacy will be his ability to remain a cultural icon

» Culpeper grieves with the family of a woman killed in Monday’s collision of two Metro trains.

» New agreement to work together on water-sewer issue is a good thing, but we’ve seen it all before.