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As early voting begins, Virginians casting a ballot must do their research
The first day of early voting may lack the festive atmosphere of casting a ballot on Election Day. There’s an air of finality about the latter that the former lacks, knowing that the campaigns, rallies, phone calls, texts and, ugh, the ads will continue for another six weeks. Yet, Friday marks an important milestone in the election cycle, the first day that the abundance of energy and effort invested by those seeking public office translates into votes.
Prince William supervisors approve data center rezoning at site of former ‘Manassas Colored Horse Show’
The Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday approved a data center rezoning in the Brentsville District that will feature an African American historical trail on its premises. The board voted 6-1 in favor of the rezoning from agricultural to planned business district, with Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir casting the lone dissenting vote. Potomac District Supervisor Andrea O. Bailey was absent for health reasons.
At Dulles, China is only holdout in international-travel boom
Washington Dulles International Airport is expected to end 2024 with about one-fifth the air traffic to China it had in 2019, according to new projections. That marks the one less-than-bright spot in an overall healthy rebound in international travel since COVID restrictions were eased and passengers again started taking to the skies. “We are in a very strong position,” said Paul Bobson, who heads the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s efforts to recruit and retain air-carrier service at Dulles and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
2 new data centers approved on former Manassas Colored Horse Show grounds
Two more data centers have been approved outside Manassas on land that once held an African American horse show grounds. A plan to commemorate the land’s unique history includes a special trail featuring historical markers, but that amenity falls short of the interpretive site envisioned by the Prince William County Historical Commission. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted 6-1 on Tuesday, Sept. 17 to approve two, 80-foot-tall data centers at the corner of Wellington Road and Freedom Center Boulevard.
In Virginia’s 3rd District, candidate with 31 years in Congress faces challenger making 1st bid for federal office
Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District race this November features Democrat Bobby Scott, who has served in the House of Representatives since 1993, and Republican challenger John Sitka, III. In the district, which includes Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth and parts of Chesapeake, there is the historical aspect of Scott. He was first African American elected to Congress from Virginia since Reconstruction. Beyond that, he has come to enjoy a kind of brand name familiarity with voters.
At UVa., Kappa Sigma’s FOA terminated after investigation reveals several hazing incidents
The University officially terminated Kappa Sigma fraternity’s Fraternal Organization Agreement Sep. 10 after a months-long investigation revealed hazing took place. According to the University’s Hazing Misconduct Report, Student Affairs found sufficient evidence to support allegations that the fraternity engaged in physical, verbal and alcohol abuse of new members and initially did not comply with the investigation. Kappa Sigma first had its FOA suspended in February after a student was hospitalized following an alleged hazing event at the chapter house.
Virginia Democrats introduce bill to restrict school cellphone use
Virginia Senate Democrats introduced legislation Thursday to restrict cellphone use in schools, furthering a move made by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to limit the amount of time children spend on the devices. The legislation comes days after the Virginia Department of Education released final guidance recommending that school districts adopt policies that restrict cellphone use on school grounds from “bell to bell.” Currently, many schools allow students, particularly in high schools, to use the devices between classes and during lunch. But the Democrats’ bill does not explicitly echo the “bell to bell” guidance ...
Manassas Regional Airport expansion, commercial flight process running behind schedule
The Manassas Regional Airport expansion project is already behind schedule, just one year after the City Council signed off on bringing commercial flights to the airport. The Manassas City Council on Monday held a work session during which councilmembers received updates on the process to upgrade the facility and introduce commercial activity. While city officials initially projected commercial flights would begin sometime in 2025, a new target date is undetermined.
Friday Read 20 Million Cards: A Sports Memorabilia Gold Mine Uncovered in Virginia
In a former antique shop off a four-lane highway in rural Virginia, Tim Banazek knelt before a white banker’s box labeled “Autographed Baseballs” that was stashed at the bottom of a steel bookcase. He pulled the first ball out and examined the signature in the fluorescent light. It was Willie Mays’s. “Look at this!” Mr. Banazek shouted. “Look at this!” He pulled out another ball. “Stan Musial!” Another. “Bob Feller!” Every day, it seems, Mr. Banazek unearths new historic treasures from a collection of sports cards and memorabilia that he purchased in 2021 from a quiet hobbyist who lived in a neighboring town. But this is not just any assemblage. It is quite possibly the largest private collection of sports cards in the world — and probably by a wide margin.
Fairfax County considers new tax options
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is exploring its taxing options, including possible taxes on meals and event admissions, in the hopes of reducing its reliance on property taxes. Supervisors discussed new revenue diversification proposals at Tuesday’s (Sept. 17) budget policy committee meeting after calling on County Executive Bryan Hill to identify ways to ease the tax burden on homeowners and fill reported shortfalls in state funding for public schools. The recommendations include raising the transient occupancy (hotel) tax and introducing new taxes on meals, admissions and probate, which is imposed on the property of someone recently deceased.