IN EFFORT TO DRIVE A CHANGE, GOVERNOR VISITS DANVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR LICENSE REINSTATEMENT EVENT

More than 9,000 people in the Dan River Region could benefit from the new law forbidding courts from suspending driver’s licenses for failure to pay court fines and costs, according to the governor’s office. Gov. Ralph Northam spoke at Danville Community College during a driver’s license reinstatement event held at the school Thursday afternoon.

SHY OF GOING TO COURT, REPUBLICAN DEL. NICK FREITAS IS NEARLY OUT OF OPTIONS FOR GETTING ON THE STATE HOUSE BALLOT

Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, may have lost his last chance to get on the ballot for re-election. But he said Thursday that he’s prepared to run a write-in campaign for the Virginia House District 30 seat if the State Board of Elections won’t forgive tardy paperwork filings, one by himself and one by a local Republican official — unforced errors that could hand a Republican seat to the Democrats.

VDE RULES FREITAS OUT OF 30TH-HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACE

The Virginia Department of Elections has determined a maneuver by a 30th House of Delegates District committee to circumvent state elections regulations doesn’t pass muster, preventing Culpeper Republican Nick Freitas from appearing on the November 5, 2019 ballot.

‘CLEAN VIRGINIA’ BACKS CANDIDATES DITCHING DOMINION

Dominion Energy is a major source of campaign cash for Virginia’s state lawmakers. But nine Democratic legislators and candidates from Prince William County who are refusing the utility’s donations are getting a boost from an environmental advocacy group for just that reason. Clean Virginia, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in Charlottesville, recently released a list of endorsements and announced plans to invest $1 million in Virginia’s elections for state offices in November.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER WRECK THAT KILLED 18-YEAR-OLD STAUNTON WOMAN

Virginia's top mental health official was involved in a three-car wreck in Augusta County on Wednesday that killed an 18-year-old Staunton woman when his car hit hers head-on while he was in the left lane of a two-lane road, according to state police. Dr. S. Hughes Melton, 52, the commissioner of the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, suffered serious, potentially life-threatening injuries in the crash.

BRISTOL MAN NOW SERVING AS STATE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER INJURED IN 3-CAR CRASH

An 18-year-old woman was killed Wednesday in a crash that also critically injured a Bristol man who currently serves as the commissioner of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Virginia State Police Trooper J. Martin is investigating the three-vehicle crash that occurred just before 1 p.m. on state Route 254 in Augusta County

BROADBAND COMING TO MORE OF RURAL ALBEMARLE

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative customers surrounding Batesville could have access to broadband internet as early as December. CVEC and the Albemarle County Broadband Authority were awarded a Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant of $301,748 earlier this year to connect a portion of the Midway substation.

VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TIM KAINE CO-SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO BAN FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY

Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine has joined Senators Dick Durbin, Patrick Leahy and Cory Booker to introduce legislation to immediately ban the use of the death penalty by the federal government. Senator Kaine says he abhors the death penalty but would uphold the law and as Virginia Governor allowed 11 executions to proceed. But he says he’ll stop it where he can.

RADFORD REGISTRAR SPEAKS TO SENATE COMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY

The possibility of cyber-attacks on the U.S. election system continues to be a top priority across the country, and this past week, Radford’s voter registrar took his concerns to Washington, D.C. Tracy Howard spoke to a U.S. Senate Congressional committee that included Virginia’s Mark Warner.

SPANBERGER RECEIVES WARM WELCOME IN CULPEPER DURING TOWN HALL

Abigail Spanberger was met with a warm welcome in Culpeper Tuesday during a town hall where she listened to constituents issues and relayed her work in the U.S. House of Representatives. Spanberger, serving her first term as 7th District Congresswoman, heard from a dozen residents of her district Tuesday, many with questions on healthcare and others expressing concern about solar projects within Culpeper County.

BANKS BATTLE VIRGINIA CREDIT UNION OVER MEDICAL SOCIETY

The Virginia Credit Union has hit a roadblock in expanding its membership to include the Medical Society of Virginia’s 10,000 members — and the dispute could wind up being heard by the Virginia Supreme Court. Six small community banks and the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) say the nonprofit credit union has taken a step too far by asking the state for permission to be able to offer membership to the large, statewide group of “highly educated and highly compensated” physicians and other medical professionals, taking away business from taxpaying banks with fewer assets than the credit union.

AMAZON TO BRING SOLAR FARM TO GRETNA

Business giant Amazon, based in Seattle, Washington, announced plans Thursday, Aug. 1 to build a solar farm in Gretna, Virginia. The 45-megawatt solar farm will be built on land owned by Luther, Dianne, and Terri Moon. “Approximately 10 acres represents one megawatt of electricity,” Danny Marshall from the Virginia House of Delegates said. “What Amazon has told us from day one is they want to be on 100-percent clean energy.”

AMAZON ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BRING SOLAR FARM TO PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY; LEADERS UNCLEAR ON DETAILS

The what and when was released in a Thursday morning announcement on the website of a Seattle, Washington-based e-commerce and technology company giant: Amazon will develop a renewable energy solar farm in Pittsylvania County projected to begin use in 2020. Outside of that, the details are completely up in the air. Pittsylvania County leadership didn’t know about the solar farm project before the morning announcement, and as of Thursday afternoon still were unclear on almost all of the details.

DAHLGREN NAVY BASE ANNUALLY PUMPS ABOUT $1 BILLION INTO LOCAL ECONOMY

Mike Mitchem doesn’t need to read a report about the economic impact of Naval Support Facility Dahlgren to recognize what it means to the region. He sees proof every day after he drives 40 miles from his home in Spotsylvania County to the Navy base on the shores of the Potomac River in King George County.

REPORT: LECLAIRRYAN MOVING TOWARD DISSOLUTION

LeClairRyan has started the process of dissolving, according to a published report. Sources tell The American Lawyer that firm attorneys have been told a wind-down committee is being formed as partners seek positions elsewhere. LeClairRyan lawyers and staff have been encouraged to seek employment elsewhere and some support staff have already been laid off, the paper reported

LOUDOUN BRACES BUS SERVICE FOR METRO

As part of preparations for Metrorail’s long-awaited and much-delayed service to begin rolling in Loudoun next year, county leaders are working to make sure residents can make it to their trains. Supervisors took a gamble on Metro in 2012 when they voted to extend the Silver Line into Loudoun County. Loudoun will now divert significant tax revenues to Metro—so it needs Metro to succeed and supervisors devoted time last week to a special transit summit to dig deeper into those issues.

ANOTHER UVA FACILITY NAMED AFTER A EUGENICIST COULD BE RENAMED

The University of Virginia on Friday will consider changing the name of a School of Medicine wing that honors a eugenicist who believed that slavery benefited African Americans.

SWEET BRIAR ANNOUNCES $18.5M RAISED IN '19 FISCAL YEAR

Sweet Briar College recently announced it received gifts and pledges totaling $18.5 million during fiscal year 2019, including donations from alumnae, supporters, foundations and corporations. Of the total, $10.2 million was for fiscal year ’19 and $8.3 million will come as future support, according to the college. Since 2015, when a previous administration unsuccessfully tried to close the college, it has raised $63.9 million.

GOVERNOR OF WEST VIRGINIA OWES VIRGINIA LOCALITIES NEARLY $2 MILLION IN DELINQUENT TAXES

On an August day in 2018 the Governor of West Virginia, Jim Justice, took a seat in front of cameras, flanked by state leaders, and called it a “neat” day. Governor Jim Justice addressing reporters at a 2018 news conference. Justice told reporters, “Today we have been able, my son and all his companies, to now pay any and all tax obligations that were due to the State of West Virginia.”

REFLECTING NATIONAL TRENDS, METH ARRESTS AND DEATHS CONTINUE TO CLIMB IN VIRGINIA

Methamphetamine arrests and overdose deaths are climbing in Virginia, reflecting a national trend amid a crackdown on opioids. Seizures of methamphetamine spiked between 2017 and 2018, NPR reported, marking a national resurgence of the highly addictive stimulant that Virginia has also seen....The office is now projecting there will be 160 methamphetamine deaths this year, up from 127 last year. In 2015, there were only 29 deaths.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA COULD QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL AID AFTER JULY FLASH FLOODING

The devastating flash flooding in July that left people stranded on the roofs of their cars, washed out roads and flooded homes caused at least $14 million in damage in Fairfax County, Virginia, alone, but the county is optimistic a federal disaster declaration will be approved soon. A disaster designation based on damage assessments in Arlington County would allow homeowners and businesses in Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County to apply for low-interest federal loans beginning as soon as next week to help pay for repairs.

IN PRESERVING ENDANGERED SPECIES, SUCCESS STORIES OUTNUMBERED BY NEW THREATS

If there’s one success story of the 1973 Endangered Species Act that Hampton Roads can appreciate, it’s the bald eagle. The national bird was decimated in the Chesapeake Bay and disappeared entirely from the James River in the 1970s, a casualty of chemical pesticides. It was one of the first species officially listed as endangered.

CHARLOTTESVILLE SURVIVORS PROTEST MCAULIFFE BOOK TALK, CRITICIZE STATE POLICE ACTIONS

Protesters disrupted former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s book talk in D.C. Thursday, saying he should not give proceeds from the sale of his new book to police. McAuliffe gave the talk at Politics and Prose on Connecticut Avenue about his new book “Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism.” It focuses on the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville. McAuliffe has promised to donate the proceeds to the Virginia State Police Association fund, and to a foundation set up in memory of Heather Heyer, who was killed at the rally while protesting white supremacy.

STONEY TO INTRODUCE NOW-$1.5 BILLION RICHMOND COLISEUM REDEVELOPMENT PLAN MONDAY

The wait is almost over. Richmond Mayor Stoney announced Thursday that he will introduce the now-$1.5 billion proposal to replace the Richmond Coliseum and reshape a large chunk of downtown at a special meeting of the City Council on Monday.

CITIZENS BAND TOGETHER TO FIGHT NEW SOLAR FARM PROPOSAL

Citizens opposed to the construction of a 324-acre solar farm in southwestern Chesterfield crowded into a small conference room at the county’s Clover Hill Library and peppered officials from Cypress Creek Renewables with questions during a community meeting last Tuesday. The California-based company has applied for a conditional-use permit to operate a 20-megawatt solar farm on multiple agricultural parcels

ODU EXECUTIVE TABBED AS NORFOLK CITY MANAGER

An Old Dominion University administrator has been chosen to lead the city's government. Larry "Chip" Filer will serve as Norfolk's 16th city manager, according to a city news release Thursday. Filer is the associate vice president for entrepreneurship and economic development at the university. He also has been the chairman of the university's economics department and director of its business master's program.

CANDIDATE CHARGES VIOLATION IN TREASURER’S RACE

A candidate for Fluvanna County Treasurer believes incumbent Linda H. Lenherr may have violated election law earlier this month. Kim Oliver Hyland told a Charlottesville news station that she saw Lenherr and some Treasurer’s office staff carrying what appeared to be campaign-related materials when she was in Palmyra on July 3.

HOW CUMMINGS' DISTRICT COMPARES TO SOME OF OURS. YOU'LL BE SURPRISED.

President Trump says that the congressional district of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, is “a disgusting, rat- and rodent-infested mess” that is “considered the worst in the USA.” The president said it, so it must be true, right? After all, Trump’s reputation for veracity rivals that of George Washington, right? Still, we were curious.

REPLACE HABITUAL DRUNKARD LAW

On July 16, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond struck down Virginia’s “habitual drunkard” law, which allowed lower court judges to civilly identify certain individuals for criminal prosecution for merely possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages.

PORTSMOUTH NEEDS CLARITY ON JAIL DECISION

Amid an otherwise routine work session of the Portsmouth City Council last week, City Manager Lydia Pettis Patton dropped a bombshell on her fellow officials in announcing that the Civic Center complex was no longer fit for human habitation and must be vacated at once. The facility, which occupies prime real estate on the waterfront in Olde Towne and is some of the most valuable property Portsmouth owns, includes the city jail, which can house 288 inmates and is home to about 130 Sheriff’s Office personnel and 60 contractors.

DEFENSE FIRMS STRONGLY IMPACT LOCAL ECONOMY

The impact of the defense industry on the local economy might not be obvious — but it’s substantial. That’s why the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce wants to hire a full-time coordinator for its defense company recruitment and retention effort

PUBLIC WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO SEE COLISEUM-AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLANS ON MONDAY

Almost two years after Mayor Levar Stoney called for proposals to replace the Richmond Coliseum and redevelop the surrounding area, the lone plan now heads to the City Council for public review and action — finally. “They say that great things take time,” Stoney said in starting off a Thursday afternoon press conference that provided a high-level overview of the $1.5 billion undertaking

SPEER: VIRGINIA SHOULD PUT A HALT TO ONLINE LOAN SHARKS

Loan sharks — payday lenders that catch desperate borrowers in debt traps by offering small loans at exorbitantly high interest rates — have learned to shape shift to evade state regulation. E-loan sharks have proven to be especially good at analyzing state laws and fitting their product into a form that fits the loopholes.

HOLCOMB AND CLARKE: STRIDES IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM

As Charles Meire rightly pointed out in his July 30 op-ed, lack of proper ID contributes to a cycle of incarceration, release and re-incarceration in the correctional system. What Meire did not provide readers was information about Virginia’s great strides in reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for men and women seeking a fresh start outside prison walls.

Richard D. Holcomb is commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Harold W. Clarke is director of the Virginia Department of Corrections.

TURNING 99, CHESAPEAKE CLOCK COLLECTOR SHOWS THOSE CLOSE TO HIM THE VALUE OF SLOWING DOWN

Every room of Archer Cox's home has at least one clock. Clocks shaped like cats and pandas. Clocks with thermometers on them. Wall clocks that look like giant watches. Big grandfather ones. Antique clocks from a pub in England. Ones that go cuckoo.