Roem has focused on legislation related to data centers, emphasizing the need for stringent approval processes. One of her proposed bills states that any local government land use application required for the siting of a data center must adhere to specific notice and noise abatement provisions. These provisions include notifying residents within a half-mile radius, scheduling and attending neighborhood meetings, and conducting sound studies to determine baseline and post-construction noise levels.
“I’m isolating at home in Manassas (albeit with my kitties, so not entirely alone). I plan to participate in committee and floor session remotely Monday,” Roem posted to X, formerly Twitter. “If I test negative Tuesday, I’ll mask up and return.”
In addition to her focus on data centers, Roem has filed bills addressing the availability of school meals to students at no cost. The proposed legislation requires each public elementary and secondary school to participate in federal meal programs, making lunch and breakfast available to any student who requests it, regardless of their ability to pay. The Department of Education would reimburse schools for meals served, with a maximum of one breakfast and one lunch per student per school day.
Roem’s bills also touch on the Community Eligibility Provision, aiming to maximize access to federal funds for school breakfast and lunch programs. Schools with a minimum identified student percentage may apply to participate in CEP, ensuring greater federal funding for meals served.
Roem is currently in her inaugural four-year term as a Virginia State Senator. Before her current role, she secured a significant victory in 2017 when she was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.
During that election year, notable changes occurred as the seats for Prince William County’s General Assembly delegation shifted from a majority of Republicans to Democrats, marking a transformative moment in the county’s political landscape.
Sentara will no longer force most employees, patients, and visitors to wear facemasks.
The healthcare provider says the coronavirus and flu cases are falling after a spike during Fall 2022. Starting today, March 21, 2023, only those who think they have the coronavirus or flu or those treating coronavirus and flu patients should continue to wear a mask.
Sentara operates the largest medical facility in eastern Prince William County, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge. The medical provider also operates a series of health clinics throughout the region.
More in a press release:
The Sentara COVID-19 Task Force has closely monitored COVID-19 activity for the past three years across our communities, using scientific data and the highest safety standards to guide our decisions throughout the pandemic.
Currently, health systems across the country are seeing a steady decrease in COVID-19, RSV, and flu patients – the three respiratory viruses that triggered a surge in emergency department visits and hospitalizations last fall.
After much consideration, we believe it is safe and appropriate to relax masking requirements across our healthcare facilities.
Effective tomorrow March 21, 2023, patients, visitors, and team members will no longer be required to wear a mask at all times within our healthcare facilities. Exceptions include:
- Patients who are seeking treatment for a viral illness such as COVID-19 or the flu should continue to wear a mask to prevent spreading the virus to others.
- Healthcare workers treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 must still wear the appropriate level of personal protective equipment (PPE) required.
All healthcare professionals will continue to follow infection prevention protocols. Health systems will continue to monitor respiratory illness activity within our communities.
While we continue to evolve our COVID-19 policies, our priority remains the safety of our team members, patients, and community. Masks will continue to be an important tool, along with vaccinations, to keep people healthy and safe. Masks will still be available to patients and visitors who enter our facilities. Additionally, our healthcare colleagues can still wear a mask if they choose to do so.
We are grateful to our healthcare colleagues, patients, and visitors for their cooperation in following important public health measures during the pandemic to protect one another.
A wave of coronavirus that impacted senior homes across the state seems to be subsiding.
According to information from AARP, the virus caused a rise in deaths at nursing homes.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Prince William County will end a program that allowed residents to get free coronavirus test kits at area libraries.
The final day to get a free test kit is Saturday, January 14, 2023.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
According to a press release, the Virginia ABC and Gourmeltz have agreed to resolve all issues associated with the serving of alcohol products without the requisite license to do so at the restaurant. Effective December 23, 2022, the mixed beverage, wine, and beer licenses of Gourmeltz will be reinstated.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed an executive order today that halts state agencies from collecting fines imposed onto businesses that violated guidelines laid out by his predecessor, Ralph Northam (D) during the pandemic shutdown.
Youngkin directed enforcement agencies, boards, and commissions to report all fines, fees, suspensions related to the shutdown violations. He also directed agencies to halt further collection and enforcement action in his upcoming budget to be delivered on December 15. The budget will also direct the state government to develop a reimbursement process for individuals and businesses who paid "unjust" COVID-19 fines and fees.
This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.
By Tyler Arnold
(The Center Square) - The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority raided a Fredericksburg restaurant in relation to COVID-19 rule violations, but the owner who is running for a state Senate office is using the raid as a fundraising opportunity.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
The Virginia ABC Authority, backed by Virginia State Police troopers, raided a Spotsylvania County restaurant that defied orders to close in the face of government-ordered coronavirus restrictions in 2021.
Agents came to Gourmeltz on Route 1, seized $10,000 of liquor, and downloaded data from the restaurant's computers. It was the latest move in a chess game between the state and restaurant owner Matt Strickland, going on since January 2021, when the health department ordered Gourmeltz to close for not adhering to former Gov. Ralph Northam's executive order requiring restaurants to limit the number of patrons inside their restaurants due to coronavirus fears.
This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.
The health district includes Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford counties, and Fredericksburg.
Residents will only receive a message if records indicate they are eligible for but have not yet received a bivalent booster.
