Prince William County is extending its sustainability partnership with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP).
VEEP is a program that encourages Virginia businesses “to go beyond compliance and embrace pollution prevention in their day-to-day activities,” its website states. The program was designed to encourage organizations — both public and private — to make environmental sustainability a part of their culture.
According to a press release from Prince William County, the county has been a VEEP partner for more than 10 years.
“Every year we aim to improve our programs and impact from our fire station vegetable garden installations to our efforts to meet our climate goals,” Office of Sustainability Director Guilia Manno said.
Organizations must go through an application process with VEEP. According to VEEP’s website, highlights of Prince William County include the Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Goals adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2020 and the Community Energy and Sustainability Master Plan in 2023.
Other sustainability partners in the state include:
- Alexandria Renew Enterprises
- City of Charlottesville
- Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program
- Liebherr USA, Co.
- Prince William Water
- U.S. Army Fort Gregg-Adams
- Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
Press release:
The Republican Delegation of Spotsylvania issued a joint statement praising Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recent announcement of more than $10 million in grants through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) that will help Spotsylvania families.Â
“Access to high–speed broadband is essential for our residents and businesses,” said Senator Richard Stuart. “This significant investment will bring us closer to achieving universal broadband coverage in Virginia, ensuring that no community, including Spotsylvania County, is left behind.”Â
Senator Tara Durant added, “I am thrilled with the opportunities this funding brings to the county. Expanding broadband access will bolster the local economy, support educational initiatives, and enhance the quality of life for our residents. I am especially grateful to Governor Youngkin and the VATI program for their continued commitment to bridging the digital divide.”Â
“I’m proud to see this much–needed funding directed to Spotsylvania County in order to expand broadband access. The internet has become vital to modern education, home businesses, and so much more, and this puts us a step closer to achieving broadband for all,” said Senator Bryce Reeves.Â
Delegate Bobby Orrock included, “This investment is a game–changer for our community. Reliable broadband access is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. By enhancing our digital infrastructure, we are paving the way for economic growth, educational advancements, and better healthcare services for all residents in Spotsylvania County.”Â
“I’m excited to bring broadband to the parts of Spotsylvania that need it most. As the world becomes more connected, it’s important to provide our community with the opportunity to stay up–to–date,” said Delegate Phillip Scott.Â
The VATI program provides targeted funding to extend service to areas currently unserved by any broadband provider. This year’s funding leverages more than $75.7 million in additional funding from local governments and internet service providers, showcasing a strong public–private partnership aimed at enhancing Virginia’s telecommunications infrastructure.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors removed the loan limit on the University Village project at the July 16 meeting in a 5-2 vote. Supervisors Robert Weir and Yesli Vega opposed.
The project was approved in July 2020 to develop "University Village" for the George Mason University Science and Technology Campus in the county. In the approved project, there was to be a mixture of retail, office, hotel and residential spaces to constitute a town center for the university; the proposal, according to county documents, stated there were to be an estimated 1,630 residential units and 1,625,000 square feet of non-residential uses.
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Starting Sunday, July 28, drivers on Route 3 westbound in Fredericksburg will experience brief overnight delays and a temporary rough ride as crews begin resurfacing the road and updating lane markings. The work will stretch from Gateway Boulevard to Woodlyn Drive and is expected to take about two weeks.
Crews will be working Sunday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., ending early Friday mornings, to avoid peak travel times. During this period, travelers may encounter rough patches where the road is milled before fresh asphalt is applied, along with temporary lane markings.
The resurfacing project covers approximately 0.82 lane miles and costs an estimated $290,000, with Arthur Construction as the contractor. Message boards will be placed along Route 3 to inform drivers of the work zone.
VDOT shares its latest updates on traffic and lane closures on 511Virginia.
“Hamas is coming” was scrawled in red across the face of the Columbus Monument at Union Station, alongside slogans, such as “free Gaza” and “all Zionists are bastards.” The riots coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
Anderson described the flag burning as a personal affront. “As someone who’s a former Green Beret who spent over 10 years in the U.S. Army, someone who did over 150 funerals in Arlington National Cemetery where I laid that flag on our service members before their family members saw them laid to rest, it hit hard to me, it hit incredibly hard,” he said. He recounted his experiences in Afghanistan, including the loss of five of his own soldiers and returning home with their flag-draped coffins for their last fight home. Anderson emphasized that the desecration of the flag at Union Station symbolized a broader disunity within the country.
Anderson criticized his opponent Eugene Vindman for remaining silent in the wake of the riots, calling for greater transparency and action from political leaders. “My opponent has been silent until a few minutes ago, but that’s a day late and a dollar short. It’s time for leaders to act and say what they mean. Transparency is important, and the folks here in the 7th Congressional District deserve transparency, they don’t need a politician that waits to see where the political headwinds blow before standing up for something” he asserted.
Vindman posted to his X account one minute before Anderson began his scheduled press conference, writing, “Violence and destruction are not peaceful protests; it’s not about left or right, it’s about right and wrong. And it was wrong when rioters stormed the Capitol on January 6, and it’s wrong when anti-Israel protesters assaulted police officers and spray-painted Hamas slogans on Washington, DC monuments. I ask my opponent to join me in calling out all forms of violence immediately.”
Violence and destruction are not peaceful protests; it’s not about left or right, it’s about right and wrong.
And it was wrong when rioters stormed the Capitol on January 6 and it’s wrong when anti-Israel protesters assault police officers and spray paint Hamas slogans on… https://t.co/LRYdVMDXQc
— Eugene Vindman (@YVindman) July 25, 2024
Condemnation of Pro-Hamas Support
The candidate also highlighted the role of foreign influence in the protests, referencing reports that Iran had been funding some of these demonstrations. “Our enemies are watching—Iran, China, Russia. In fact, we just saw reports that Iran has been funding some of these protests that are happening in Washington, D.C. and continue to happen,” he said.
Congressman Rob Wittman’s Support
Congressman Rob Wittman (R), who represented part of Prince Willliam County until redistricting in 2021, who joined Anderson at the press conference, echoed his sentiments. Wittman condemned the burning of the U.S. flag and the display of pro-Hamas and Palestinian flags, describing these actions as disrespectful and un-American. “It was disrespectful. It was disloyal to who we are as a nation. Those things can’t be allowed to occur without speaking out against those efforts,” Wittman stated.
Wittman’s district’s boundaries shifted out of Northern Virginia and further southeast, toward Virginia’s Northern Neck and Williamsburg.
Anderson reiterated his support for the First Amendment but stressed the difference between the legal right to protest and the moral rightness of actions. “While you might have the right to do something, it doesn’t necessarily make it right. And that’s something that we’ve lost as a country,” he said.
Accountability and Prosecution
When asked about the potential for prosecutions following the riots, Anderson noted the lack of specific laws against flag desecration but highlighted other illegal activities, such as graffiti and assaults on law enforcement. He emphasized the need for accountability and consequences for breaking the law.
Call for Unity
Anderson emphasized the need for national unity and common sense throughout his remarks. He called on the residents of the 7th Congressional District to demand transparency and accountability from their leaders and to work towards a more united country. “We see hope. We see a future for our country. But it takes all of us coming together and being unified,” Anderson concluded.
Anderson faces Vindman in the November 5 General Election. Early voting for that election begins on September 20, 2024, at local voter registrar’s offices. Some of the jurisdictions included in the district include eastern Prince William County, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George countries, and Fredericksburg city.
Fredericksburg Free Press: A meeting room at the downtown Fredericksburg branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library was filled to capacity Wednesday evening, as concerned citizens gathered to hear from local representatives from the Sierra Club and Friends of the Rappahannock about data centers.
Josh Summits has been appointed as the new Director of Fredericksburg’s Economic Development and Tourism Team, starting mid-August. Summits has fifteen years of experience in urban redevelopment, community revitalization, and economic development. He joined Stafford County’s government in 2019 and most recently served as Business Development Manager.
Summit said he has “spent the past five years working with Stafford to bring transformative economic development projects to the Fredericksburg Region. Each locality offers diverse and unique attributes and opportunities. The City of Fredericksburg has a robust list of amazing amenities and a thriving historical downtown. My core focus and energies will target corridor redevelopment, and expanded business attraction and retention efforts.”
Summits holds a BA in Urban and Regional Planning from WVU and an MS in Regional Planning from Indiana University of PA. His previous roles include Business Expansion and Attraction Specialist at the Urban Redevelopment Authority in Pittsburgh, PA, and Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Johnstown, PA. He is recognized by the National Development Council as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) and participated in the Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 “Leadership Fredericksburg” Program.
Summit will be working with Joel Griffin, who also recently left Stafford for Fredericksburg. Griffin served on the Stafford Economic Development Authority (EDA) from 2004 to 2023 before joining Fredericksburg’s EDA in January 2024. Griffin is founder and CEO of Riphean Investments, which owns several restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg, and ran an unsuccessful campaign for Senate District 27.
WRC-TV: A judge ruled a Northern Virginia man is competent to stand trial after he was arrested last year on suspicion that he was about to embark on a mass shooting at a megachurch.
