Search
Marjorie Taylor Greene and John McGuire plan 5th District event in Albemarle
Charlottesville’s city government was caught off guard Monday afternoon when it first learned that U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and fellow Republican and congressional candidate Virginia state Sen. John McGuire were planning to visit City Hall. So too was Albemarle County when, hours later, the McGuire campaign suddenly decided to move its planned “Early Vote Rally to Save America” from City Hall to a county polling location.
One Missing Middle lawsuit dismissed, but Arlington County’s legal fees still mounting
The first Missing Middle case to be heard in Arlington Circuit Court was dismissed last week, but legal fees in another lawsuit against the county continue to balloon. The dismissed lawsuit related to a pair of planned six-plexes in Alcova Heights, approved after the Expanded Housing Option changes. A judge struck the suit down on Friday “due to technical defects,” Zachary Williams, an attorney for developer Classic Cottages, told ARLnow. … This news comes as attorney fees from a more expansive lawsuit against EHO have mushroomed in recent months.
Virginia officials tout preparedness as ‘active’ hurricane season begins
In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel slammed the East Coast and thrashed Virginia and North Carolina most severely, prompting widespread power outages, 4 to 6 foot storm surges, flooding, and billions in damage; the storm caused at least 50 direct and indirect deaths. Lasting memories of that disaster now loom large, as the federal government forecasts this year’s hurricane season, June 1 to Nov. 30, will be a tumultuous one. “We can have 27 storms in a year,” said Shawn Talmadge, state coordinator at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. “Only one storm can cause devastation across the commonwealth.” Ahead of the active hurricane season, state leaders are urging Virginians to prepare as environmental groups call for stronger policy addressing storms that are increasing in frequency and intensity.
Spotsylvania School Board votes to record closed sessions following assault allegation
After a contentious closed session meeting on May 20 resulted in one Spotsylvania County School Board member filing assault and battery charges against another, the board voted 6-0 Monday to record future gatherings that are not open to the public. April Gillespie of the Berkeley District abstained, stating that she agrees with recording closed sessions but needs more information from school board attorney Micah Schwartz before voting. Carol Medawar of the Courtland District made the motion, which was seconded by Lee Hill District representative Lisa Phelps. It was Phelps who filed an assault and battery charge on Nicole Cole of the Battlefield District, alleging that Cole slammed a door into her shoulder and extended her leg to trip her during the May 20 meeting.
Richmond joins other Va. school systems with new policy requiring clear backpacks
Richmond Public Schools will require see-through backpacks for students starting July 1. RPS is the latest district to take the step as a safety measure that’s been a nationwide response to school shootings for decades. At least two students brought loaded guns to school this year — one at Maymont Preschool and another at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary. The Monday night decision from the Richmond School Board includes having RPS provide clear bags to students who need them.
Stephens City zoning board upholds decision denying permits to hemp dispensary owners
The Stephens City Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted Monday evening to uphold town Zoning Administrator David Griffin's decision to deny permits to the owners of a Winchester hemp dispensary who want to open businesses at 4919 Main St. The decision comes after nearly a month of protests by the permit applicants, Tiauntia Green and Marcus Shelton, who are the owners of Celebrity's Hemp Dispensary on Braddock Street in Winchester. They have accused Griffin of prejudice in dealing with their applications to open a takeaway hoagie stop and smoker's night lodge and have called for his removal, along with town Mayor Mike Diaz.
East, West Join Forces in Loudoun Power Line Battle
Loudoun County has been grappling with impact of the growing demand for power for some time, but it has largely been limited to eastern Loudoun where the Lansdowne Conservancy has been leading the charge in mitigating the impacts of needed power infrastructure on local communities. Last December, the concerns expanded to western Loudoun as a proposal to build a 500-kilovolt line between Harpers Ferry and the Leesburg area were approved by PJM Interconnection, the regional power coordinator. Since then, the Piedmont Environmental Council and Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance have held community meetings in Purcellville, Hillsboro, Waterford and Lovettsville to raise awareness and garner community action on the lines.
Frederick County School Board chair’s first book challenge denied by 2 high schools
A book challenge by Frederick County School Board Chairman Edward “Scott” Sturdivant has been reviewed by committees at both Millbrook and James Wood high schools. Sherando High School was expected to do so earlier this week. Ellen Hopkins’s 2004 novel “Crank,” a long-form, free verse poem which details a high school student’s descent into drug addiction, is the book Sturdivant wants removed. ... Millbrook sent Sturdivant a decision letter on May 20 stating that a committee of teachers, parents, a librarian and a school administrator voted 7-0 to retain “Crank” with certain restrictions.
Warrenton zoning board to seek legal advice on appeal of Amazon data center site plan
The Citizens for Fauquier County’s effort to block a planned Amazon data center through the Warrenton Board of Zoning Appeals might not be dead yet. Last week, the town of Warrenton rejected the group’s appeal of Amazon’s site plan for the data center, which was approved by town council in 2023. The citizen’s group immediately objected that town officials could not reject the appeal on their own because that zoning appeal’s board is independent of the town.
Danville council members to consider giving themselves hefty raise
Danville City Council will vote whether to give themselves a hefty raise. If council members increase their pay, it will be the second time in about a year they will have voted to increase their salaries. However, the first pay hike they approved for themselves in May 2023 still hasn't gone into effect. Councilmen are considering this new boost to their compensation because of a state law passed in April that increases the population-based, maximum-allowed pay for city councils across the commonwealth.