For the Record – Shenandoah Valley, July 2013

For the second straight year, Augusta Health is ranked among the best hospitals in the nation, according to one measure. Healthgrades,  an independent health-care ratings company, named the facility one of the nation’s 100 Best Hospitals.  The award is based on clinical performance as measured by patient safety in treating certain illnesses and providing a list of medical procedures. The only other Virginia hospitals to make the list were Bon Secours Memorial Regional in Mechanicsville and Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond, which had two of its centers rated among the best. (News Leader)

Waynesboro-based computer printer company DASCOM Americas acquired 9.4 acres at Mill Place Commerce Park in Verona for its new headquarters building. The company said the new facility would allow it to expand its product line and eventually assemble some products on-site. DASCOM sells computer printers, supplies and services to commercial and industrial customers. It markets Tally and Tally DASCOM serial matrix, specialty and thermal printers. The company plans to expand its business to include LED lighting solutions and a line of healthy lifestyle monitoring devices. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

Hometown Grill and Buffet replaced the Shoney’s that recently closed in Staunton. Belinda Shrewsbury, a former server at Shoney’s, opened Hometown Grill and Buffet with her husband, Daryle. The restaurant is owned and leased to them by a lawyer from Arlington, Jonathan Kinney. The community has been extremely supportive, Belinda Shrewsbury said. From new uniforms that were donated, to free electrical work, Stauntonians have backed up the new venture. (News Leader)

Martin’s Food Markets, of Winchester and Stephens City, was one of several area employers that received the “champions of disability employment” awards at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton earlier this year. (Northern Virginia Daily)

Mount Crawford Creamery is among eight agricultural producers in Virginia receiving federal grants to develop new ways to earn income. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says agriculture producers can use the funding to expand marketing opportunities, create new products or develop new uses for existing products. Showalter Orchard and Greenhouse of Timberville and MeadowCroft Farm LLC of Swoope also received grants. (News Leader)

Ntelos Holdings Corp. reported net income of $5.5 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter 2013 compared with $7.9 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2012. Overall revenue increased 8 percent for the quarter to $119.3 million, compared with 110.5 million in the same 2012 period. The company picked up 3,300 post-pay subscribers during the period, compared with a loss during the same period a year ago, and customer churn declined. (News Leader)

Trex Co. received Washingtonian magazine’s Green Award for 2013. The Winchester company’s high-performance decking portfolio is made from more than 95-percent recycled materials. (Northern Virginia Daily)

Virginia Military Institute’s board of visitors approved across-the-board tuition increases. In-state students at the Lexington school will pay 2.9 percent more for tuition, while out-of-state students will see a 4.5 percent increase. VMI spokesman Stewart MacInnis says combined costs for tuition, fees and room and board will increase 4.3 percent to about $22,500 per year for in-state cadets. Out-of-state students will see their costs increase 4.5 percent to about $28,000. MacInnis says the increases reflect rising program costs. (The Associated Press)