If you’re driving the Capital Beltway from Springfield to Tysons Corner tomorrow, your commute is going to look much different.

The 495 Express Lanes — those High Occupancy Toll or HOT lanes we’ve been hearing about for so long —  opened for the first time on Saturday to traffic. That means those with three or more inside a vehicle can ride the lanes for free with an E-Z Pass Flex transponder. Single drivers must pay a toll to use the lanes, and can use a traditional E-Z Pass or E-Z Pass Flex.


I attended the latest in a series of fiscal year 2014 budget information meetings on Saturday at the Prince William County Government Center.

I always enjoy watching budget director Michelle Casiato’s mastery of the process. Prince William has three Triple A bond ratings and has won numerous awards for their budgeting process. I understand that the process is “bullet proof.” I also understand that the process has nothing to do with how much money Prince William County collects or what the government spends it on.


More now in a press release from Prince William police:

Attempted Abduction – On November 17th at 8:27AM, police responded to the Roadway Inn located at 13964 Jefferson Davis Highway in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate an attempted abduction. The victim, a 46 year old woman, reported to police that she was walking her dog in the lot adjacent to the rear of the Roadway Inn when she was approached by an unknown man.


WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Major cuts to Prince William County’s budget have been proposed by the Chairman of its Board of Supervisors.

Corey A. Stewart, At-large, is working to build consensus for a new flat tax structure for the county’s fiscal year 2014 budget. He’s proposed slashing $9 million in spending to reduce tax bill growth in the latter years of the county’s five-year plan.


WOODBRIDGE, Va. — The fifth and final film adaptation of the Twilight book series was released in midnight showings Thursday. As our Kristina Kotlus shows us, fans lined up at AMC Theaters at Potomac Mills mall to see the Breaking Dawn Part II.

The parking lot was full well before midnight, and fans lined up inside for the movie.


FAIRFAX COUINTY, Va. — Doing some early holiday shopping at Tysons Corner Center mall today? You’ll be able for the first time to use the 495 Express Lanes.

The $1.4 billion project that began in 2008 is officially open as of today. But you’ll need an E-Z Pass Flex transponder in your car to use the lanes or you’ll be fined.


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