Stafford County and Fredericksburg have already banned them. Cell phones have been ubiquitous in the classroom since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
More from the governor in a press release:
Given the increasing evidence of the impact cell phone and social media usage has on education and youth mental health, Governor Glenn Youngkin today issued Executive Order 33, which directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to draft guidance for public school divisions to adopt local policies and procedures establishing cell phone-free education.
The EO directs VDOE to initiate a robust public engagement effort with parents, students, teachers, local school leaders and other stakeholders to develop collaboratively policies and procedures that establish the age-appropriate restriction or elimination of cell phone use during instructional time, as well as to establish protocols allowing parents to contact their children in emergency and other important situations.
In addition, the Governor announced today that the VDOE and the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services (DBDHS) will make a combined $500,000 available from existing funds to support implementation of this mental health and safety initiative.
“This essential action will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn. Creating cell phone and social media-free educational environments in Virginia’s K-12 education system will benefit students, parents, and educators,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Today’s Executive Order both establishes the clear goal to protect the health and safety of our students by limiting the amount of time they are exposed to addictive cell phones and social media and eliminates clear distractions in the classroom. It also kicks off the robust conversations among parents, students, teachers, and school and community leaders necessary to design and implement these policies and procedures at the local level.”
Happy Independence Day. Several local events will offer spectacular fireworks displays. Here are some of the best places to enjoy the festivities:
Stafford’s 4th of July Spectacular: Held at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park, this event features a variety of activities, culminating in a fireworks display at nightfall. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and attendees can enjoy live music, food vendors, and children’s activities. Parking is available on-site.
Montclair Independence Day Celebration: This annual event at Dolphin Beach in Montclair includes a parade, live entertainment, and fireworks over Lake Montclair. The celebration begins at 9:00 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a day full of activities, ending with the fireworks show at dusk. A valid rec pass is required to attend—two guests per pass.
Fourth in Fredericksburg: The festival takes place in downtown Fredericksburg and includes a parade, live music, food, and a fireworks display. The fireworks can be viewed from various locations around the city, with the main viewing area at Old Mill Park. The festival activities start at 7:45 AM and continue throughout the day, with fireworks scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
FredNats Fireworks: “The FredNats fireworks show in Fredericksburg will take place at the Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The stadium will not be open for seating, but the fireworks can be viewed from cars up to two miles away. The show begins at 9 p.m., and attendees should arrive early due to limited parking. Specific parking instructions are provided for emergency response purposes.
Manassas 4th of July Celebration “Celebrate America”: The celebration in Manassas features a full day of events, including a carnival, live music, and a fireworks display. The fireworks are launched from the Manassas Museum Lawn, and the show begins at 9:15 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.
Quantico fireworks: The 4th of July fireworks at Quantico Marine Base will occur at Lejeune Field. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. and includes food vendors, children’s activities, and live music. The fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m. This event is open to the public, and attendees must arrive early for parking and the best viewing spots.
It’s going to be hot today with afternoon storms. Here’s the weather forecast.
More fireworks later this week:
Manassas Park Independence Weekend: As part of the Independence Day weekend celebrations, Manassas Park will host a fireworks show at Signal Hill Park on Saturday, July 6, 2024. The event will feature live music, food vendors, and various family-friendly activities, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for a comfortable viewing experience.
Dumfries fireworks: The Town of Dumfries will host its annual Independence Day fireworks show on Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 8 to 10 p.m. at Garrison Park, 17749 Main Street. This year’s celebration will feature a fireworks display. In addition to the fireworks, various food trucks will offer food and refreshments.
Virginia State Police: The Fourth of July brings feasts, fireworks, and parties, but the Virginia State Police (VSP) is asking that it include focus and sobriety as well. Â
The 2024 summer driving season has gotten off to a deadly start, with preliminary numbers showing 13 fatalities over the Memorial Day holiday, and an additional 25 fatalities in the week following Memorial Day.
 “We want to be able to say that this was one of the safest July 4 holidays ever on Virginia’s roads,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, VSP Superintendent. “In order to do that, we are going to need all Virginians to drive sober, avoid distractions, comply with posted speed limits, and buckle up.”
 VSP recommends that if you do plan to drink at a July 4th party, plan ahead for a designated driver or make sure you have a rideshare service or taxi handy.  Public transportation is also a safe option, if available.Â
Party hosts are encouraged to serve non-alcoholic drink options and make sure guests do not drink and drive home from their event.
VSP will participate in the Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.), a national program to reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries from impaired driving, speeding, and not wearing seat belts. The statistical counting period for the Fourth of July begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 3 and ends at midnight on July 7, 2024. VSP will increase patrols, focusing on July 3 and July 7, expected to be the busiest travel days.
During the 2023 Operation CARE initiative, VSP arrested 36 drivers for operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and cited 2,051 speeders and 980 reckless drivers. 254 citations were issued to individuals for failing to buckle up, and another 74 citations for children not being properly secured in a vehicle. Troopers also cited 124 drivers for violating Virginia’s “hands free” law. Â
Virginians are also reminded to follow Virginia’s “Move Over” law. State law requires motorists to either move over a lane, or if that is not safe, slow down, for any vehicle on the shoulder with emergency markings such as flares, emergency lights, emergency triangles, or flashing lights.
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Effective July 1, 2024 new laws enacted by the Virginia General Assembly will bring several changes for DMV customers. These changes include updates to the uninsured motor vehicle fee, farm use placards, disabled parking placard duration, and manufactured home conversion procedures.
DMV offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4.
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On June 25, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed 18 bipartisan bills aimed at enhancing support for individuals with developmental disabilities. These laws improve accessibility in education, recreation, law enforcement, and transitional services. The governor also signed a biennium budget allocating $247 million for 3,440 priority one waiver slots, increasing the total under his administration to 4,540 slots.
“I’m pleased this legislative package and our?Right Help, Right Now?plan has instituted life-changing impacts that will benefit Virginia families, this community, and transform our level of care for Virginians with developmental disabilities for decades to come,” said Governor Youngkin.
Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel said the bills will provide comprehensive support for individuals with developmental disabilities and set “the groundwork for a more inclusive and supportive future. Our goal is to ensure that every Virginian has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and independent life.”
Division Manager Jacqueline Jackson Turner from Prince William County Community Services expressed excitement for “the many people on the Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver waiting list in the priority one category who will benefit from the budgeted waiver slots over the biennium. As a result, they and their families will have access to much-needed support and assistance.” Her office is still determining the criteria and needs to handle the waiver process, which may impact their staffing levels.
The governor’s office provided a complete list of the bills signed on June 25, 2024.
Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you’re not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!
By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
(The Center Square) – If there were any doubts that Virginia is returning to its status as a key battleground state in the upcoming presidential elections, visits by First Lady Jill Biden and former President Donald Trump would indicate confirmation.
Biden is scheduled to greet campaign volunteers in Virginia Beach on Thursday, hours before the president and former president will square off in their first presidential debate. Trump on Friday comes from Atlanta to a 3 p.m. rally in Chesapeake.
In January, the president and Vice President Kamala Harris essentially chose Virginia to kick off their bid for reelection by holding a joint event in Manassas with a focus on abortion.
In recent weeks, Trump has signaled Virginia is very much in play between visits and new campaign investments.
The most significant piece of evidence is that the Trump campaign is zeroing in on the commonwealth with plans to open 11 field offices, as reported by CBS News.
Earlier in the month, Trump met with Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin during a closed-door meeting at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling to strategize how to win in the commonwealth. At the time, Youngkin told ABC 13 News Now that the commonwealth appears “competitive” in the presidential race.
“There’s a lot of interest in how this election is going to go,” Youngkin said. “So our political teams have been coordinating on how best to do that and we had to sit down and talk about it and we talked about Virginia and, and how I was able to win my election in 2021. And the lessons learned.”
Youngkin is expected to appear with Trump at the Friday rally. The governor did not attend a March rally by the Trump campaign in Richmond.
A May poll by Roanoke College shows Trump and Biden are neck-and-neck in the commonwealth, despite Biden beating Trump by over 10% in the 2020 election and Hillary Clinton handily winning Virginia in 2016.
The commonwealth has not gone for a GOP presidential candidate in 20 years, when former President George W. Bush was up for reelection.
June 27 is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening Day. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an online screening tool for those who may be experiencing symptoms.
The VA website says it is the world’s leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD and traumatic stress, and explains “PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event.”
The VA reports that 23% of Veterans using VA care have had PTSD, compared to 7% of those not using VA care. In 2021, of the 6 million Veterans served by the VA Health system, about 10% of men and 19% of women were diagnosed with PTSD. The VA suggests talk therapy, medication, and other treatments are available for people experiencing PTSD.
A 2023 study published by the American Psychological Association found that veterans who received service dog placements had better emotional health, improved quality of social interactions, and lower odds of panic attacks.  K9 for Warriors shared the story of Kerry, a Virginia resident, mother, Marine veteran, and former first responder. She received  Bass, her certified service dog from K9s for Warriors, the nation’s largest shelter-to-service organization, said publicist Olivia Stern.
Kerry had many traumatic experiences in her career and found K9s For Warriors online when searching for help. The organization paired her with rescue-turned-Service Dog Bass, who is specially trained to help PTSD or other war-related traumas that afflict veterans. During their first night together, Bass woke Kerry up from a nightmare. Kerry said she and Bass are now a team that tackles everyday situations that previously seemed impossible.
The VA encourages those who may have experienced traumatic events to consider taking the self-screening test, reaching out to medical providers, and talking to friends or family. The VeteransCrisisLine is available for veterans and their families.
Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you’re not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and Virginia State Police (VSP) urge farmers to ensure their farm-use vehicles comply with a new law effective July 1, 2024. The law mandates unregistered farm-use vehicles display a DMV-issued permanent farm-use placard on the front and back of panel trucks, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 7,500 pounds.
Unofficial tags will be unacceptable starting July 1, 2024. “As farm vehicles are key to agricultural productivity, it is important that Virginia farmers can continue to use them in their operations while preventing farm use tags from being used on other vehicles inappropriately,” said VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie. “We hope those who have not already done so will apply for their DMV-issued permanent farm use tag today.” A first violation is punishable by a fine of not more than $250, a second or subsequent violation shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $250.
Applications and a $15 fee must be submitted at DMV Select or full-service locations. Information about the farm location, size, and commodities, along with signed statements of exempt use and insurance, is required. Placards are non-transferable and must be returned within 30 days if the vehicle is sold or no longer used for exempt purposes.
The law, passed in 2023, included a one-year grace period. Detailed information is available online.
Effective July 1, 2024, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) will update its fare structure for the first time in five years, alongside a new policy benefiting children. Passengers aged 18 and under will travel for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Adult fares will see a five percent increase. For example, travelers from Spotsylvania Station to Union Station in Washington, D.C., will pay $0.65 more for single-ride tickets and $18 more for monthly passes.
Additionally, VRE’s fiscal year 2025 budget introduces a flat $5 fare for trips within and between zones 1 (Union Station and L’Enfant), 2 (Crystal City and Alexandria), and 3 (Franconia-Springfield and Backlick Road).
The policy for free youth travel includes specific requirements: accompanied children aged 18 and under do not need identification. Children aged 11-18 traveling alone must have a valid school, state, or VRE Reduced Fare ID, which can be obtained online. Children under 10 must travel with a paying adult.
VRE operates two lines—Manassas and Fredericksburg—connecting Central and Northern Virginia with Washington, D.C., serving 19 stations, including key stops like L’Enfant and Union Station. For more information on fares and schedules, visit www.vre.org.
The lanes will be open northbound all day until 7 p.m. when reversal begins. The Lanes are expected to open southbound by 8:30 p.m.
The National Park Service has announced Independence Day activities will begin at 11:45 a.m. and continue throughout the day, culminating in the annual "Fireworks on the National Mall" program. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:09-9:27 p.m.