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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.
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.
Richmond restaurants struggle with city meals tax woes
Richmond restaurants continue to grapple with issues related to the city's meals tax bills. While the city is working toward a July 1 deadline to review all delinquent accounts, some restaurants are receiving letters of compromise and settlement from the city, while others are signing non-disclosure agreements to come to an agreement. Either way, it’s not a fair system, Michael Byrne, director of the Virginia Restaurant Association, said.
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.
Virginia moves closer to extending passenger rail to the New River Valley
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority on Tuesday announced that it is in preliminary discussions with Norfolk Southern about an alternative way to extend passenger rail to the New River Valley that would avoid a costly tunnel upgrade and make it easier to eventually bring service to Bristol. After receiving information earlier this year regarding the cost and timeframe for a previous plan that would use about 28 miles of the Virginian Line, which the commonwealth purchased from Norfolk Southern in 2022, the authority revisited negotiations with the railroad operator to find a more cost-effective and timelier alternative.
Education benefits for military families caught in political crossfire
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and General Assembly leaders agree that they need to take another hard look at changes that all of them had advocated to a program providing higher education benefits for the families of military veterans either killed or almost completely disabled while on active duty. The question is how and when. The Republican governor and Democratic legislative leaders don’t agree on whether the assembly needs to meet this month to repeal the budget provisions that it passed and he signed to narrow eligibility for free tuition and other benefits under the Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program.
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.
Prince William supervisors approve 2nd mid-county data center project
Prince William County’s data center alley is likely to stretch into Prince William County’s mid-section in the coming years as a result of the board of supervisors’ vote Tuesday to approve the controversial Mid-County Industrial Park. In a 5-3 vote, the supervisors voted to approve a rezoning that would allow three 90- and 95-foot-tall data centers on about 64 acres just north of the intersection of Va. 234 and Minnieville Road. It will be the second planned data center complex in the mid-county area. The first, on land formerly owned by Parson’s Farm, recently sold to Amazon for $218 million or $2.4 million an acre.
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.
Richmond deputy registrar charged almost $80K to city credit card
Deputy Registrar Jerry Richardson charged nearly $80,000 to her city-issued purchasing card last year, according to records obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The revelation comes as both Richardson and General Registrar Keith Balmer, who lead Richmond’s Office of Elections, are under investigation by the Richmond Inspector General’s Office for claims of financial improprieties and nepotism. The 2023 charges to Richardson’s card include around $7,800 at hardware stores, over $5,000 on hotels and lodging, a roughly $1,200 charge at a shoe store and over $1,000 at Southern Police Equipment — which sells guns, ammunition, body armor and other tactical gear.