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Court dismisses first citations from Winchester speed cameras
The first batch of citations from Winchester’s new speed cameras were dismissed last Friday in Winchester General District, after the city’s third party vendor mailed out tickets that contained errors. The speed cameras, which are installed in the school zones of John Kerr Elementary, James Wood Middle and Daniel Morgan Middle, began issuing citations on Feb. 26 to motorists exceeding the 25 mph limit by 10 mph. But a number of citations issued have contained errors, such as the time of the violation and the law enforcement agency issuing the charge.
Virginia Senate Democrats pitch new plan for military education waiver program
Virginia Senate Democrats are pitching a new plan for a one-year delay of pending changes to eligibility for a tuition waiver program for the survivors and dependents of military veterans who were killed or disabled in active duty. The Senate will consider the proposal, Senate Bill 6009, when it returns to Richmond on Monday for a second try at addressing a political furor over the program. The House of Delegates and Gov. Glenn Youngkin are poised to repeal the changes in the two-year budget that will take effect on Monday.
Altria seeks OK for another smokefree product to be made in Richmond
The Richmond factory that makes the nation’s top-selling cigarette will make tobacco giant Altria Group‘s latest smoke-free alternative to market if federal regulators approve. Henrico-based Altria said it filed Premarket Tobacco Product Applications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a new version of its “on!” nicotine pouches.
Former Roanoke city manager’s severance totals more than $200,000, plus raise
The cost for Roanoke to find a new city manager is at least $350,000 for four months, and that total does not include the future top executive’s salary, city documents show. Included in his final paycheck, former City Manager Bob Cowell received severance pay worth $255,479 on June 18. After taxes, Cowell’s final direct deposit from the city was $206,575, according to a paystub copy acquired using Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act.
Youngkin to reestablish maternal health data task force, after vetoing bill that would have done so
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a new executive order to reestablish a maternal health data task force a little over a month after vetoing legislation designed to accomplish the same goal. Executive Order 32 reestablishes the Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures Task Force, which was first established in 2021 and ran through the end of last year. The goal was, and is, to collect maternal health data that can inform future policy but the report with recommendations from the previous task force was not published in time for the 2024 legislative session.
Supporters and skeptics should see former President Trump speak
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear at a rally Friday afternoon in Chesapeake. Hampton Roads residents who support the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee — and those who do not — should attend. This is a rare opportunity to see a presidential candidate on the campaign trail in Hampton Roads, and those looking to make an informed decision in November should take full measure of the man, by hearing from him directly, as they weigh their decision.
Jill Biden visits Virginia Beach before debate; Trump to visit Chesapeake next
Hours before the two presumptive nominees were slated to hit the debate stage for the first time in the 2024 presidential race, First Lady Jill Biden stopped in Virginia Beach on her way to Atlanta to support her husband, President Joe Biden. “You all know that there’s two visions for America and you’ll see them tonight when you watch the debate,” she told the crowd that had gathered inside of the Biden-Harris campaign office in Virginia Beach for a sign-making event.
Culpeper ex-sheriff pleads not guilty for second time in federal badges-for-bribes case
Former Culpeper Sheriff Scott Jenkins has pleaded not guilty for the second time in his federal badges for bribes trial. He entered the plea June 24 via correspondence from defense attorney Philip Andonian. Jenkins waived his right to appear in open court for re-arraignment on a superseding indictment handed down in the case June 12. An in-person arraignment set for July 2 in the U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia courthouse in Charlottesville was canceled.
‘The same old double standard’: Frederick County School Board member reacts to DOJ sentencing request
Ahead of Monday's sentencing hearing in federal court, Frederick County School Board member Miles Adkins criticized what he called a "two-tiered justice system" as the U.S. Department of Justice seeks a 45-day prison sentence for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. "I'm saying it's the same old double standard," Adkins said in a Wednesday evening phone interview. "[I] take responsibility for anything I've done. I regret the violence that happened over there during that day. But I also see it as that two-tiered justice system."
Bob Good accuses Lynchburg elections office of improper conduct
U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, plans to file a legal challenge to block certification of the Republican primary election in Lynchburg, the congressman said this week. In an appearance on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast on Monday, Good said “there is no confidence in Lynchburg’s results” in the June 18 Republican primary election between him and state Sen. John McGuire for the 5th Congressional District. “We’re going to make the legal challenge in a couple of days to make sure Lynchburg, the biggest city [in the 5th District], can’t be certified,” he said.