Open house held for future trail hub near Wegmans

Charlottesville Tomorrow (03/15/18)

“The public had its first chance Thursday to see plans for a “trail hub” designed to connect current and future pathways near 5th St. Station in Albemarle County. “This came out of a conversation that [county trail planner] Dan Mahon and I had about five years ago, and he showed me his maps,” said Billie Campbell, senior program manager for the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. “It’s a project that we hope will serve as a catalyst for other things that are taking place,” Campbell said.”

*NOTE: Check out this article and see how PEC is involved with this great project!

Commission takes action on apartment complex near downtown

Charlottesville Tomorrow (03/14/18)

“The Charlottesville Planning Commission has issued its final approval of a preliminary site plan for an apartment complex at 1011 E. Jefferson St. that could have up to 127 units. “Approval of a site plan is a ministerial function [over] which the Planning Commission has little or no discretion,” reads the staff report for the item.”

Recreation leads agenda at board meeting

Culpeper Star-Exponent (03/06/18)

“Matters of recreation dominated discussion by the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Tuesday as the local governing body gave its OK for a site plan for the proposed YMCA, nixed recommended fees for field use at the Sports Complex and approved a request for the return a four-day outdoor music festival.”

To market, to market, to buy a penny bun

Fauquier Times (03/16/18)

“Grab your recycled shopping bags and get ready for the area’s farmers markets. Think of glorious flowers, artisan breads, fresh meats and fabulous produce. For those who are interested in selling your home-grown or homemade goods, get in touch now to fill out an application. Here is a list of where to go. “

Do you know these goats and pig?

Fauquier Times (03/15/18)

“Two goats and a pig went out for a stroll Thursday — and apparently got lost. A passerby found the trio on Courtney School Road in the Midland area, and reported them to be “very friendly.””

“Build a Native Plant Meadow” seminar Tuesday

Fauquier Now (03/13/18)

“A free gardening presentation, “Build a Native Plant Meadow,” will take place Tuesday, March 20, in Warrenton. The workshop will start at 6 p.m. in the Fauquier Extension Office at 24 Pelham St.”

5-0 vote for data centers

Fauquier Now (03/08/18)

“As expected, Fauquier’s supervisors Thursday night green-lighted what they hope will rank as the county’s greatest economic development victory. “

Loudoun Supervisors Balk at Rt. 28 Car Lot

Loudoun Now (03/16/18)

“County supervisors had strong words Wednesday night for an application to allow a 10-acre outdoor vehicle storage lot l at the intersection of Rt. 28 and the W&OD Trail.”

To market, to market, to buy a penny bun

Fauquier Times (03/16/18)

“Grab your recycled shopping bags and get ready for the area’s farmers markets. Think of glorious flowers, artisan breads, fresh meats and fabulous produce. For those who are interested in selling your home-grown or homemade goods, get in touch now to fill out an application. Here is a list of where to go. “

Weather Conditions Prompt Countywide Burning Ban

Loudoun Now (03/14/18)

“Effective today Loudoun County has enacted an open burning ban. The Virginia Department of Forestry has determined that the combination of low humidity and high winds means there is a high fire danger and that adequate control of outdoor fires will be extremely difficult.”

Loudoun Wins $25M Federal Grant for Rt. 50 Connector

Loudoun Now (03/08/18)

“U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10) announced Tuesday that Loudoun County will receive $25 million in federal funding to complete Northstar Boulevard between Shreveport Drive and Rt. 50.”

JK Moving makes a play for Dulles’ Western Lands

Loudoun Times Mirror (03/07/18)

” The property, known as Western Lands, has been heavily marketed over the past year by the authority, which manages Dulles and Reagan National airports. Western Lands is located between Route 606 and the airport’s western-most runway, and the property has been pitched as a potential site for the Washington Redskins’ next stadium or an equine quarantine facility. “

Gardens in The Gap Planned for April

Loudoun Now (03/07/18)

“For the first time, a number of gardens, porches and backyards in Hillsboro will be open to the public as the centerpiece of the town’s inaugural Gardens in the Gap event. The proceeds will support the preservation of Hillsboro’s 1874 Old Stone School.”

Montpelier slavery exhibit wins national history prize

Greene County Record (02/28/18)

“The National Council on Public History Awards “The Mere Distinction of Colour” First Prize for Outstanding Public History Project The National Council on Public History has announced that James Madison’s Montpelier’s permanent slavery exhibition, “The Mere Distinction of Colour,” has won its 2018 Outstanding Public History Project Award.”

Lowest deer harvest in 20 years for Rappahannock County

Rappahannock News (03/05/18)

“A total of 24 bears and 1535 deer were harvested in Rappahannock County during the recently concluded 2017-18 hunting season, which compares to 21 bears and 1584 deer bagged by hunters during the previous season.”

Wild Ideas: Has spring sprung already?

Rappahannock News (03/03/18)

“From signs I’ve seen recently, spring seems nigh, but with global warming, the phenology (timing of lifecycle events) of native wildlife and plants has become less predictable, so is spring on its way?”

Workshop to help cattlemen control harmful toxin

farm Bureau virginia (01/25/18)

“RAPHINE—Virginia is home to more than 1.5 million head of beef cattle, and those animals are in danger of ingesting grass infected with a harmful toxin.”

A workshop for Virginia producers will be held March 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Raphine Volunteer Fire Company in Rockbridge County. As many as 60 farmers are expected to attend the workshop, and Pent said they hope to offer more sessions in the future.

Documents reveal immense outreach on Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Daily Progress (03/08/18)

“RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Civic leaders in town after town along the 600-mile (966-kilometer) route of a proposed natural gas project have posed for similar photographs, smiling and accepting poster-sized checks from the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.”

The Ticking Time Bomb for Suburban Retail

City Lab (03/08/18)

“Thanks largely to the rise of e-commerce, chains like Macy’s, Toys “R” US, and Best Buy are shuttering faster than analysts predicted even a year ago, with at least 24 major retailers planning store closures in 2018.”

Monarch butterfly numbers down for second year in Mexico

bbc (03/06/18)

“The population of monarch butterflies in Mexico has gone down for the second consecutive year, government officials say. In the autumn, the orange and black butterflies migrate from Canada and the US to central Mexico, where they hibernate in pine and fir trees.”

The Farms Are Too Damn Small: The Small Farm Glut

Farm and Food discussion lab (03/01/18)

“The Wall Street Journal has a story, a familiar story, about the number of farmers needing off-farm income to make ends meet, especially while commodity prices are low. They profile a few farmers about the rising land and input prices that are driving them to take jobs off the farm to make ends meet.”