AP
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — Virginia Beach’s popular boardwalk is off-limits to dogs at the height of the tourism season, but that could be changing. Two City Council members in the resort city are seeking a change in the long-standing ban on dogs at the Oceanfront from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Under the proposal, people could walk their leashed dogs on the Boardwalk and on nearby grassy areas between 6 and 10 a.m. during the city’s high tourism months. The beach would still be off-limits to dogs during tourist season. he Virginian Pilot reports that the City Council is expected to vote on the proposal Tuesday. The sponsors had considered including afternoon and evening hours but decided the Boardwalk is too crowded during those periods.
RICHMOND, VA _ (AP) The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is offering a new service to let customers find out when they’ll get their DMV products in the mail. DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb says that one of the most frequent customer questions is when they’ll receive their orders. Officials say customers that have signed up for electronic notifications will now automatically receive email or text messages when their products are mailed instead of having to log into their accounts to check the status. The agency has offered electronic notification of vehicle registration and driver’s license or ID card renewal notices since 2010. Disabled parking placard renewals were added to the list of renewal notices available through email, text or phone message last month. More than 1.7 million are signed up for electronic renewal notifications.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Internal Revenue Service says an estimated 26,300 taxpayers in Virginia could be owed federal tax refunds for 2010. The IRS says in a news release that it’s holding more than $22 million in unclaimed refunds for Virginians who didn’t file a federal tax return in 2010. Half of the potential refunds are estimated at $568.
colonialwilliamsburg.com
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) _ Colonial Williamsburg is saluting Virginians by offering a season pass to the historic area for the price of a single-day admission.
Officials say the promotion saves residents 30 percent by paying for one day and get the rest of the year free. The offer is valid from Friday through May 31.
The pass includes unlimited admission to the Revolutionary City and its 35 exhibition sites and 19 historic trade shops, as well as access to Colonial Williamsburg’s world-class museums.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates and maintains the preserved 18th century site as an educational and tourist venue.
STAFFORD, Va. (AP) _ Virginia State Police say at least four people are being treated for serious injuries after a commercial passenger bus overturned on Interstate 95 in Stafford County. The accident occurred around 4 a.m. Monday in the southbound lanes between Stafford and Fredericksburg. Southbound lanes that were closed after the crash have been reopened. State police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says the driver, 50-year-old Qilong Xioa of Flushing, N.Y., was charged with reckless driving. She said speed was a factor in the wreck. The Princess Tours Inc. bus was en route from New York to Doraville, Ga. Geller says 58 passengers were on the bus when it overturned on its side. All of the passengers were taken to area hospitals but Geller says it appears only four suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Gov. McAuliffe
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Gov. Terry McAuliffe has granted a medical clemency for an inmate who has terminal cancer.
Media outlets report that 35-year-old Jason Scott Davis’ parents sought the clemency so that he can die at home.
His mother, Brenda Kirby, says Davis will stay with his brother in Henrico County.
His father, Charles Davis, says he’s heartbroken that he’s losing his son. But Charles Davis says his son will be surrounded by family when he dies.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia is proposing the development of wind turbines 24 miles off the coast to smooth the way for the development of one of the nation’s first Atlantic wind farms.
The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced Thursday it is seeking public comment on the proposal to assess potential environmental issues related to the research turbines.
Dominion Virginia Power submitted a successful $1.6 million bid last September to lease nearly 113,000 acres off the Virginia coast for the development of wind turbines. The turbines have the potential to generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power 700,000 homes.
The research project proposed by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy is a partnership with Dominion. It also includes cables to link the turbines with Virginia Beach.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ A retail industry group is encouraging convenience stores and gas stations nationwide not to sell electronic cigarettes to minors.
According to a position statement obtained by The Associated Press, the National Association of Convenience Stores says that, as a best practice, e-cigarettes should be treated just like other tobacco products.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia educators are calling in state leaders to use the upcoming special session to address funding for public schools.
Virginia Education Association President Meg Gruber appealed to Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the General Assembly on Thursday.
Gruber says Virginia is in danger of being unable to find qualified teachers because of low pay and reduced retirement benefits.
virginiavaluesvets.com
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Two state agencies have formally joined forces to run a program that helps match Virginia veterans with employers. It’s called the Virginia Values Veterans Program. The Department of Veterans Services will handle workforce assessment and training as well as the certification process for participating companies. The Virginia Employment Commission will implement the program.