On July 1, Virginia pets will see more protection as a new tethering law goes into effect.

The new tethering law, titled SB272, seeks to address tethering by expanding the definition of “adequate shelter” for pets. It was passed by the Virginia House and Senate and signed by Governor Ralph Northam in April.

SB272 makes it illegal to tether a pet outdoors if temperatures are above 85 degrees Fahrenheit or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It will also be illegal to keep them tethered outside during a heat advisory or severe weather warning. Finally, tethering an animal overnight or when the owner is not home is prohibited.

In addition, the minimum tether length will be increased to 15 feet in length or four times the animal’s length. Previously, the minimum required tether length was at least 10 feet or 3 times the animal’s length.

An exception to these requirements is if an animal control officer inspects each individual animal’s circumstances and determines that they are well-equipped to tolerate their environment. A tether can also be 10 feet or shorter if it is determined to be more beneficial to the dog.  

This new law has received positive reactions from animal-rights groups such as the Prince William SPCA. 

“We applaud this new state legislation since it will positively affect the lives of companion animals in our local community. The bill gives the county more tools needed to protect companion animals and, when necessary, address animal cruelty.  This is a huge win for the dogs who spend their lives outside,” says Angie Craddock, Board Member of the Prince William SPCA. 

The Prince William SPCA believes that this new law, along with more education and community outreach, is needed to provide alternatives to tethering. To further address it, they are coming out with a new publication to better inform citizens on properly tethering their pets. The publication is set to come out late summer.

“The hope is that the community will embrace the new law leading to more responsible, thoughtful, and safe care of our dogs. The goal is to create a future where tethering would never be a permanent restraint solution, but used only temporarily when other options aren’t available,” said the Prince William SPCA’s Board of Directors.

For the fall of 2020, all Hylton Performing Arts Center performances and events are canceled.

On June 10, the Hylton Performing Arts Center announced its decision to suspend traditional, live, professional public performances, and events inside its Manassas venues. 

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The Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center has canceled their plans for a drive-in movie theater that was set to premiere today.

The drive-in was supposed to air movies from Thursday through Sunday, but all have been canceled for this weekend.

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The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton is offering a way to bring entertainment to its community with a drive-in movie theater. 

The center will open a drive-in movie theater on its 55-acre campus on June 12, with movies showing on Friday and Saturday evenings. A 40-foot screen will be set up to display the films. 

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On June 5, Duck Donuts will honor National Donut Day with a free Cinnamon Sugar Donut for its members.

From June 5 through June 7, all registered Duck Donuts reward members will receive a free Cinnamon Sugar Donut offer. This offer is available in-store, online, through the app, or delivery at participating locations.

“As our favorite holiday of the year approaches, our stores nationwide stand ready to Sprinkle Happiness and celebrate National Donut Day with those throughout their community. We want everyone to have a chance to celebrate with us, so this year, we are giving our loyal guests three days to redeem their free Cinnamon Sugar Donut. You could even call it National Donut Weekend,” said Russ DiGilio, founder and CEO of Duck Donuts.

To receive a free donut, guests must download and register on the Duck Donuts Rewards app by June 4.

In addition, Duck Donuts is introducing a limited-time National Donut Day assortment of toppings for guests. 

Duck Donuts Rewards members can order ahead in the app and skip the line, or scan the app in-store. They also receive app-exclusive offers such as a free donut after they first sign up and on their birthday.

Duck Donuts first opened in 2007 in the beach resort towns of Duck and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. By 2011, they expanded their business to four Outer Banks locations and in 2013, the first franchise opened in Williamsburg, Virginia. There are now 91 open franchise locations and over 145 additional contracts in 26 states and 3 countries.

Manassas residents will want to look toward the sky today.

Starting at 1 p.m, Manassas residents will be able to see 20 aircraft fly over the sky at Novant Health/UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center.

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Prince William County’s government is encouraging residents to complete the 2020 census survey.

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a review to determine federal funding to localities. Households receive a letter asking them to complete the census either online, by phone, or by mail.

Survey results affect the amount of funding the County receives.

Funding programs that come from the Census include:

• Section 8 housing vouchers
• Medicaid and Medicare Part B
• Title I grant to schools
• National School Lunch Program
• Head Start
• WIC
• Programs for homelessness, foster care, and crime victim assistance

In fiscal year 2018, 2,121 families in Prince William County were provided with rental assistance. 35,000 low-income public school students received free or reduced lunches in the 2018-2019 school year, and 834 children went to preschool in the 2017-2018 school year as part of the Head Start Program.

In fiscal year 2020, Prince William County received: 

• $21.7 million in federal funding to widen Neabsco Mills Road
• $36.7 million for the Neabsco Mills Commuter
• $586,000 for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
• $28.8 million for an additional segment of the Route 1 widening project

In addition, the decennial census is used to allocate Community Development Block Grant funding (CDBG).

Localities can use the CDBG funding to address immediate public health needs such as the coronavirus outbreak. The Office of Housing and Community Development will also use CARES Act funding through CDBG grants to assist low-income households with mortgage, rent, and utility payments.

Census responses are confidential and cannot be used against a person in any way.

Those who do not complete the census will be visited by a census staff member in mid-August through October to complete it.

After a staff member tests positive for Coronavirus, the Rappahannock Area Health District will temporarily reduce clinical services.

From May 19, 2020, to May 28, 2020, RAHD will not be offering in-person clinical services. This includes maternity care, treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, and family planning services, which will be delivered via telemedicine. Patients will also be referred to appropriate community partners or neighboring health districts.

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Who will be the next Prince William County Poet Laureate?

The Prince William County Arts Council and Poet Laureate Circle is accepting nominations until June 15.

All potential candidates must be at least 21 years old and have lived in Prince William County, Manassas, or Manassas Park. If selected, they must maintain a residence in either of jurisdictions during their term.

Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of judges from the Poet Laureate Selection Panel. Afterward, the final recommendations will be presented to the Prince William Arts Council for position appointment on October 11, 2020.

As Laureate, the selected candidate will promote awareness of poetry and appreciation for the arts during their two-year term. 

Their duties include:

• Participating in Poet Laureate Circle activities and public readings
• Participating in PWC Arts Council events including Arts Alive and the Seefeldt Awards
• Bringing recognition to the history and tradition of poetry, celebrate present contributions, and support advancement of the literary arts for the Greater Prince William area and its residents.
• Inspiring and encouraging others in an understanding and sharing of poetry and other personal creative expressions.
• Promoting poetry and other literary endeavors through the media and collaborations with the schools, cultural organizations, and community institutions.
• Representing the Prince William County area in the wider regional creative arts community.
• Contributing to the Prince William Arts Council Web Site and its monthly Newsletter.
• Participating in the Prince William Poet Laureate Day programs, officially named by Prince William County, and celebrated on the Sunday prior to Columbus Day.
• Creating and presenting at least one outreach or educational project that connects literacy arts with the Greater Prince William community.

When they complete their term, they can be reappointed for no longer than one more year. They will also receive an honorarium of $500 per year.

More information can be found at pwcartscouncil.org.

Dr. Robert Scott and Zan Hailey were selected as the county’s first co-Poet Laureates in 2014.