Press Release

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.


Traffic

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.


News

Transurban has announced the 95/395 Express Lanes will have a revised reversal schedule on Thursday, July 4, 2024 to accommodate travelers attending the Independence Day fireworks display. 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.

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Health

Virginia’s Department of Health (VDH) has set up an outbreak investigation website documenting the outbreak of Shiga toxin-inducing Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections in Lake Anna swimmers. 25 cases have been confirmed, and the only known common factor is swimming in the lake on Memorial Day weekend.

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Business

George Mason University’s Patriot Pitch Competition awarded its top prize in the General Entrepreneurship Track to Zachary Suh, a 19-year-old freshman from Ashburn studying marketing.

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Traffic

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) services are set to strengthen their collaboration.

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Health

Virginia’s Department of Health (VDH) has confirmed 20 known cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections in patients who swam at Lake Anna over Memorial Day weekend. Deputy Director Katherine McCombs said swimming at the lake is the only known connection between the patients.

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Business

(The Center Square) – Small businesses are citing the highest levels of uncertainty since the COVID-19 pandemic, a concerning economic indicator.

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