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Large industrial proposal could feature data centers on Ashland-Hanover line
A Reston-based developer is seeking zoning approval for a project that could take the form of either an industrial park or data center campus on Ashland’s eastern boundary with Hanover County. The WestDulles Properties project, dubbed Iron Horse Business Park, would take shape on a 230-acre site split about 60-40 between Ashland and Hanover.
The Post’s choices in Northern Virginia’s U.S. House primaries
Two Democratic congresswomen in Virginia who defeated Republican incumbents in 2018 have opted not to seek reelection this year: Rep. Jennifer Wexton of the 10th Congressional District suffers from a rare neurological disorder; Rep. Abigail Spanberger of the 7th District is running for governor in 2025. Nineteen Democrats are vying to succeed them in the state’s June 18 primaries. Ten Republican contenders are also running for their party’s nominations that day.
Earned sentence credit expansions, new parole board operations to take effect this year
Eligible incarcerated people in Virginia will be able to further reduce their sentences through an earned sentence credit program beginning this July. While expansions to the program stemmed from a 2020 law, it had a delayed start date in 2022 that was later blocked by Gov. Glenn Youngkin through language in a previous state budget. A renewed attempt by the Youngkin administration to block the expansions this year did not make it through final negotiations in the budget that the governor and lawmakers agreed on this week.
Hanover County School Board members discuss possible policy change on student cell phone usage
Hanover County Public School leaders are grappling with what to do when it comes to cell phones usage at schools across the district. At a meeting on Tuesday, May 14, board members had to weigh in on whether to change the district’s current policy to further limit students’ use of the devices in school buildings. The discussion at the May 14 meeting centered around whether to change the policy at elementary and middle schools in the county. The decision to revisit the policy comes as several surrounding districts have recently made changes to their cell phone policies that limit student usage.
GOP senators push to use skill games to help pay for schools
A pair of Republican senators are looking ways to legalize electronic skill games and use the state revenues they generate to pay for school construction. Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, and Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, want to take advantage of the General Assembly remaining in session to act on potential revenue bills as a way to overcome a political roadblock from Gov. Glenn Youngkin. (The legislature did not adjourn after it passed the budget on Monday.)
Craigsville granted $3.8 million by newly passed state budget
Craigsville’s infrastructure debt and incorporation woes are over. Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Virginia’s 2024-2026 biennial budget just hours after it was passed by the General Assembly Monday. Craigsville has waited through the entire process, with residents and Mayor Richard Fox nervous about the town's incorporation and debt payments.
Va. mail delivery no longer the worst, but still pretty bad
Virginia’s postal service is no longer the worst in the country, according to the agency’s main watchdog. From October to December in 2023, Virginia’s on-time delivery of first-class mail was at its lowest level in years, with a 66% on-time delivery rate. January to March of this year saw the state jump to 77%, shedding last place to Georgia. Despite the improvement, the state is still in the bottom ten of nationwide U.S. Postal Service regions for on-time delivery. Only Georgia and Wisconsin are worse.
Hearing examiner recommends denying Greenway toll increase
The senior hearing examiner overseeing the Dulles Greenway’s application to raise tolls on the privately owned road has recommended that the State Corporation Commission deny the request outright. The examiner, Michael D. Thomas, filed a 159-page report May 15 that found the Greenway’s request to raise tolls would “materially discourage use of the Greenway” and are not “reasonable to the user in relation to the benefit obtained,” thereby failing to meet the standards of a 2021 state law that made the regulations that govern the road more stringent.
Unsealed federal lawsuit alleges Omega Protein skirted U.S. citizen ownership requirement
A recently unsealed federal lawsuit alleges that the lone menhaden reduction fishery in the Chesapeake Bay broke federal law by creating a shell company to cover-up its foreign ownership, routing profits to a Canadian company instead of keeping them in Virginia. Benson Chiles and Chris Manthey, two private investigators involved in environmental conservation efforts, brought forward the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in 2021 against Omega Protein under the False Claims Act, saying the company violated the Jones Act and American Fisheries Act by not disclosing that its owners are family.
Speakers show up to debate solar in Mecklenburg
Speakers for and against solar development showed up for the monthly meeting of the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors Monday in Boydton despite there being no public discussion of any solar projects. The agenda for the meeting included a closed session discussion on a siting agreement for 7 Bridges, a proposed 80-MW facility that Longroad Energy wants to build on 499 acres northeast of Chase City near Scotts Crossroads, Courthouse Road and the Meherrin River. ... On Monday, company officials asked neighbors of the project to share their views with the supervisors.