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As its landscape changes, Pittsylvania County to get first comprehensive zoning update since 1991
When Pittsylvania County’s zoning code was adopted in 1991, it did not provide guidance for battery storage facilities, solar projects or data centers. It didn’t need to — back then, the county wasn’t attracting these kinds of developments. But Pittsylvania is now experiencing never-before-seen levels of growth, and zoning is lagging behind. The code has not had a comprehensive update in the more than 30 years since it was adopted. “There are a lot of uses that are prevalent today that were not even a thought in 1991,” said Emily Ragsdale, the county’s director of community development.
Yancey: Taking the 5th? Here’s the challenge facing any Democrat who wants to take on McGuire in the midterms.
Lynchburg Republicans have filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the state law that has been interpreted as a mandate that parties must nominate their candidates through primaries, as opposed to some party-run process such as a convention or a mass meeting. I say “interpreted as” because the law’s sponsor — Del. Dan. Helmer, D-Fairfax County — says it wasn’t intended as a 100% bar on other methods, just a requirement that those methods meet certain thresholds for allowing for the participation of military personnel and others who might not be able to attend in person. However, Attorney General Jason Miyares and others (including the lawyer for the Republican Party of Virginia) have ruled that the only practical way to satisfy the law is through a primary.
Virginia nurse now accused of abusing 4 premature babies at Henrico hospital
A nurse accused of abusing vulnerable infants at a western Henrico County hospital now faces more criminal charges. Erin Strotman was served with six new indictments Tuesday, and now officially stands accused of hurting four different babies from 2022 to 2024. She has also been charged with class 6 felony child abuse and neglect related to the treatment of a fifth baby, but that child was never injured, according to prosecutors.
Virginia Attorney General authorizes criminal investigation into Purcellville vice mayor
Commonwealth Attorney Bob Anderson notified Purcellville town council members on April 22 that the Office of the Attorney General has authorized Virginia State Police to conduct a criminal investigation into Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett. The Times-Mirror obtained Anderson's letter to the council through a Freedom of Information Act request.
ICE detains 2 men in Charlottesville courthouse raid
Two men were carried away from the Albemarle County Courthouse in downtown Charlottesville Tuesday morning as part of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid. Such scenes are becoming increasingly common as the Trump administration cracks down on immigrant communities. ... What alarmed Nicholas Reppucci, head of the Charlottesville Office of the Public Defender, is that the enforcers called in to detain the two men in the city Tuesday morning were wearing plain clothes and did not display badges or arrest warrants.
More drivers using express lanes
Could Transurban, the Australian-based corporation that owns and operates toll lanes across the globe, be the beneficiary of U.S. federal worker back to office mandates? Seems like it. The company released its March quarter update last week and more traffic is using Transurban’s electronically tolled lanes in several countries. Interstates 95 and 495 express are leading the way.
Purcellville Council Recall Petition Garners Double Required Signatures
Purcellville resident Brian Morgan announced during tonight's Town Council meeting that the effort to recall Mayor Christopher Bertaut, Vice Mayor Ben Nett and council members Susan Khalil and Carol Luke has garnered enough signatures to submit to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Morgan said the effort required 495 signatures to initiate a recall for each council member and the mayor. During the council meeting he announced his team has 1,088 signatures to recall Bertaut, 1,081 for Luke, 1,085 for Khalil and 1,091 signatures for Nett. He plans to file the petitions with the Clerk of the Circuit Court on April 28.
A ‘justice gap’ in Richmond? New legal fund wants to shrink it
A new legal fund is taking shape in response to an apparent shortage of pro-bono lawyers in metro Richmond. Announced Monday, the Richmond Community Legal Fund says it will take on the legal cases of working-class families who do not qualify — or who are turned away — from existing legal aid programs. ... Schmidt expects immigration cases to demand most of the group’s attention.
Solar panels mean savings for Roanoke schools
Solar panels will produce serious cost savings for the school system in Roanoke, and prepare some students for careers in renewable energy, officials announced Tuesday. Installation of rooftop solar panels at 17 more school locations will save the division an estimated $46.5 million over the next 35 years, said Jeff Shawver, senior director of physical plants, during a news conference Tuesday morning. The Earth Day announcement initiated a second phase of school solarization in Roanoke, after six school buildings were solar-fitted last year.
Kaine: Pope Francis stood for the ‘least of these.’ So should we
When the news broke in March 2013 that Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been elected pope by the College of Cardinals in Rome, my heart soared. As a Catholic who worked with Jesuit missionaries in Honduras in 1980-81, the prospect of the first Latin American and first Jesuit assuming the papacy was like a beam of sunlight penetrating the church I love. And when he assumed the name Pope Francis, the first Pope to model after Saint Francis of Assisi, I knew his leadership would prove distinct and special.