Construction could begin by early summer on Virginia’s first wind-powered electric generation project. A spokesman for Highland New Wind Development, Frank Maisano, said yesterday that the company has filed its site plan with Highland County for the $60 million project on 220 acres. He said it’s the last step to obtaining a building permit.

A new era in motorcycles breezed into Richmond last week. That’s breezed, not rumbled. The motorcycle Brian Richardson showed off Tuesday on the training course near the main office of the Department of Motor Vehicles on West Broad Street was powered by an electric motor. While electric cars—particularly of the hybrid variety—have become relatively mainstream, a motorcycle without a grumbling, gas-powered motor is a novelty.

Highland maple festival a celebration of syrup Highland County is famous for its high mountains, its switchback roads and its Maple Festival, one of Virginia’s most unusual celebrations. Visitors pour in here for two weekends in March to watch how amber syrup meant for buckwheat pancakes is conjured from the sugar water of stately maple trees.