VDOT: “To help make end-of-year holiday travel more enjoyable, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, Dec. 22 until noon on Tuesday, Dec. 26 and from noon on Friday, Dec. 29 until noon on Tuesday, Jan. 2.”
“While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.”
The Center Square: “Washington’s NBA and NHL franchises have announced intention of a move to northern Virginia, part of a $2 billion public-private partnership to create a “world-class” entertainment district in the Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood.”
“News of the move began to break Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday’s news conference by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin confirming. A vote Monday by state lawmakers was affirmative, and another of the full General Assembly is needed. The NBA Wizards and NHL Capitals are owned by Ted Leonsis, the CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment.”
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative:Â “Each year, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) awards up to 15 $1,500 college scholarships to area high school students.”
“Seniors who reside in one of the five counties where NOVEC provides electric service — Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, as well as in the City of Manassas Park – are eligible. Applications are welcome from students who attend public, private or home school.”
“One scholarship is specifically dedicated to a student who will be attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and another is dedicated to a student who is planning to attend a vocational or trade school.  The most outstanding applicant will be selected to receive an additional honor, NOVEC’s $1,500 Manley Garber Scholarship (named for the late Co-op board chairman).”
“Students do not need to fill out a separate application for the Garber Scholarship. Applications for the NOVEC scholarships are available at College Scholarships. The application deadline is March 1, 2024.”
“VMDAEC Scholarships: The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives Scholarship Foundation will award $1,000 scholarships to seniors whose parents or guardians are members of NOVEC or one of 14 other electric cooperatives in Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland.”
“Recipients will be selected based on financial need, academic achievement, and personal statements. Applicants must be entering college or a technical/trade school in fall 2023. Find the application and guidelines at vmdaec.com/scholarship. Applications will be available Feb. 1, 2024 and must be submitted by April 1, 2024. For more information, email [email protected].”
The Center Square: “Federal funding for a critical rail project supporting a new bridge crossing the Potomac River connecting the District of Columbia and Virginia has been secured.”
“The announcement was made Thursday in Arlington. A group of bipartisan lawmakers from Virginia celebrated the $729 million funding to support the completion of the new Long Bridge, which is anticipated to ease rail traffic bottlenecks, expand freight capacity and improve commuter rail capability.”
Press release: “Virginia is among the best states to play pickleball, new study reveals. Virginia is the tenth-best state to play pickleball, with a final score of 55.0 out of 100.”
“Arizona was named the best and Louisiana the worst state for pickleball, due to the state’s rainy weather conditions and lack of indoor facilities.”
“The findings considered factors like state interest, the availability of outdoor/indoor courts, and temperature fluctuations. Additionally, study considers air pollution, as higher levels may make it harder to exercise due to short-term respiratory effects.”
“Pickleball fanatics at Pickleball Union considered factors like monthly searches for related terms scaled against the population, the number of courts, average annual precipitation, and the average temperature from 72F, to assign each state a score out of 100.”
“As well as looking at the above factors, the ranking also considered the number of past pickleball events, upcoming events, and the air quality index. USA Pickleball states, A cross between tennis, badminton, and ping pong, pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in the US, with over 4.8 million players, according to The Sports & Fitness Industry Association.”
More information regarding pickleball can be found online.
“At the beginning of this year, she started hearing an eerie hum that got louder at night. Brookes thought it sounded like someone doing lawn work constantly, but she had no idea what it was — until neighbors told her the noise came from the data centers that have earned the county the nickname Data Center Alley.”
WAVY-TV: “The College of William & Mary announced it’s expanding enrollment to support first-generation and limited-income college students.School administrators said a new initiative called the Commonwealth Impact Partnership Program, launched this semester.”
“According to a press release, the program is aimed at high schools identified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to participate in the Virginia College Application Week initiative each fall.’
Virginia Mercury: “Virginia’s State Water Control Board amended regulations last week that will require local governments in the same river basin to work together in crafting plans for water supply and use.”
“Previously, the state allowed local governments to choose whether they wanted to submit such plans independently or work with other localities in a regional approach. Plans must include existing water sources, water use and environmental conditions, any actions being taken to manage water supply and drought response plans, among other information.”
