By Pia Talwar
Capital News Service
RICHMOND, Va. – It seemed like a simple task: posting “Children at Play” signs near Middleburg Elementary School in Loudoun County so drivers would be especially alert for youngsters crossing the street or retrieving stray balls.
But the Middleburg Town Council found it wasn’t so easy: State law doesn’t allow town and county governments to erect such signs. All they can do is ask the Virginia Department of Transportation to put up the warnings. And such requests can take longer to process than local officials would like.
Last fall, the Middleburg Town Council told Randy Minchew, who was running for the House of Delegates, about the problem. The result: Two months after Minchew took office, Virginia has a new law authorizing towns and counties to install “Children at Play” signs as long as VDOT agrees and local governments pay for them.
“This bill is not a panacea, and the use of these signs should be done sparingly,” said Minchew, a Republican from Leesburg. “But this grant of enabling authority to localities and VDOT will facilitate the process for erecting helpful and appropriate ‘Children at Play’ signage.”
Minchew’s legislation, House Bill 914, glided through the General Assembly, winning unanimous approval from both the House and Senate. Gov. Bob McDonnell signed the bill into law last week. It will take effect July 1.
The existing state law, enacted in 1997, says town and county governments may ask VDOT to install and maintain “Children at Play” caution signs. The department must respond within 30 days. If the request is granted, VDOT works with its resident engineer and local officials to put up the signs.
Minchew heard about problems with the process while campaigning in the 10th House District, which includes parts of Loudoun, Clark and Frederick counties. His future constituents would include the 1,000 residents of Middleburg, a community steeped in colonial history and known as “the nation’s horse and hunt capital.”
He talked not only with the Middleburg Town Council but also with voters he met while going door to door during the summer.
“I also conferred with parents active in [homeowners’] associations, who offered some helpful thoughts,” Minchew said.
He concluded that the state could improve the process by granting towns and counties the right to enter into agreements with VDOT on the placement, number, size and location of “Children at Play” signage.
The new law says that once local officials get the green light from VDOT, they can go ahead and install “signs alerting motorists that children may be at play nearby.” Local governments must bear the cost of erecting and maintaining the signs.
Such signs are somewhat controversial. They do not give children permission to play in public rights of way. Some parents believe the signs may help reduce the speed of vehicles in residential neighborhoods. But traffic engineers have questioned the effectiveness of the signs. Researchers fear that the signs may give children a false sense of security.
Minchew said the signs should be used selectively.
“In my opinion, these ‘Children at Play’ signs should only be placed on local secondary streets and collector roads and never in arterial streets,” he said. “I think these signs can help but are not a solution and cannot serve as a substitute for adult supervision, proper fencing and community policing.”
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Prince William County’s plans for an indoor sports complex in Woodbridge face a significant shift following this week’s decision by the Board of County Supervisors to allocate $250,000 for a consultant to determine the best use for the site. The 21.85-acre property near I-95 and the state’s most enormous commuter lot, the Horner Road lot, had been the centerpiece of a proposal to build a large indoor recreation facility to attract travel teams and host major events like graduations.
The property, once proposed as the location for a large indoor sports and recreation facility, is now part of a broader development plan. County officials aim to aggregate the land with four adjacent parcels, totaling nearly 50 acres of county- and state-owned land, including existing commuter parking lots. The mission is to transform the area into a community hub that harmonizes living, working, and leisure spaces while generating jobs and tax revenue.
Known colloquially as Prince William Landing, the area was previously considered as a potential site for a new Washington Commanders football stadium alongside another location near Potomac Mills mall. Both sites were discussed as part of efforts to keep the team in Northern Virginia after its lease on FedEx Field expires in 2027. However, those plans did not materialize.
According to county documents, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, along with the Finance Department and Office of Procurement Services, is leading the effort to attract a strategic real estate partner. The process will follow the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA) to identify a development partner capable of delivering a project that strengthens the county’s sense of place and meets diverse community needs.
Photo: Mike Mullin By Sarah Roderick Fitch (The Center Square) – Three amendments are one step closer to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday….
Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
The preliminary hearing for Tryevon Davis, one of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Jason Thomas Blake in Dumfries, has been delayed due to the pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s report. This critical evidence is being handled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Northern District office.
Davis, along with Jerrome Thomas Barnes, 40, and Jackson Arthur Crisler, 30, face charges stemming from a fatal shooting on October 25, 2024. Police said Blake had gone to a residence on Cherry Hill Road in Dumfries to sell a firearm and purchase narcotics. An altercation ensued, leading to Blake being handcuffed, abducted, and taken to a secluded area along Triangle Street, where he was fatally shot. His body was discovered two days later in the backseat of his car.
The Prince William County Police Department charged Davis, 31, of Dumfries, with accessory before the fact in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and abduction. Barnes and Crisler face additional charges, including murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All three suspects remain in custody without bond.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
