Prince William County

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative has issued an emergency declaration to its customers in response to soaring energy demand on its power grid. Customers are asked to reduce electrical use in their homes between 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Suggestions include turning up thermostast to 78 degrees and not using household appliances like the stove, oven, dishwasher, or clothes dryer until after sunset.

If followed, the conservation guidelines should ensure that residents have electrical power to cool their homes and go about their daily business.

Read more in The Prince William News-Messenger....

Northern Virginia saw some of the nation's highest growth last year, despite the recession.

• Alexandria added 5,400 residents last year, a 3.8% increase
• Arlington County gained 7,300, a 3.5% increase
• Fairfax County added 18,000 more people, a 1.8% increase
• Loudoun County added 11,000 residents, a 3.8% increase
• Prince William County grew by 13,000 new residents, a 3.6% increase

"There's a high quality of urban life in this area," said William H. Frey, a demographer for the Brookings Institution.

Homeowners benefit from population growth, which grows the economy and promotes a healthy real estate market.

Read more in The Washington Post....

Officials in Prince William County schools are elated because planned layoffs are no longer necessary -- meaning no district employees will lose their jobs.

“I am overjoyed to report there will be no reduction in force for any employee of Prince William County Public Schools next year,” Superintendent Steven L. Walts announced in a press release. “Due to the overwhelming teamwork and the generosity of budget managers, we will have a position for all current employees by the start of the next school year.”

At one point earlier in the budget process, officials said that up to 700 jobs might have to be eliminated.

Read more in The Manassas News-Messenger....

Some commuters in Prince William County are less than enthusiastic about proposed high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on Interstate 95 and 395. If built, the lanes would replace the current HOV lanes. The paid lanes would run from Dumfries to the Pentagon, and then extend to Spotsylvania County to make a 56-mile toll road.

A third lane that will be squeezed between the two existing HOV lanes between Dumfries and the Pentagon has some commuters worried about safety and the possibility of traffic backups. The road will not be widened to accommodate the extra lane -- the pavement will simply be re-striped, leaving little if any shoulder. Commuters say traffic slow-downs will defeat the purpose of the lanes, increasing frustration without lowering commute times.

Homeowners in residential areas benefit from infrastructure that encourages easy commutes to urban areas, where many people are employed.

Read more in The Manassas News-Messenger....

Prince William County supervisors have voted to compel an 83-year-old woman and her sons, Parker Family LLC, to turn over their $100,000 parcel of land -- without compensation.

“They basically just get the property,” said Sally Hankins, attorney for Parker Family LLC. “The county is going to file a document … saying they’re initiating a quick-take on the property.” The filing will claim the property's value as zero, allowing the the county to take it without payment.

How the county and the Parker family got to this point is complicated. Essentially, the Parkers had agreed to sell the land to a develoment company, Drees, but the deal fell through. In the meantime, Drees signed proffer agreements with the county, and one of the Parker sons signed it as well. (The Parker family contends that the son, now deceased, lacked the authority to sign the agreement.)

The family was left with a proffer agreement that tied up the land, but no payment from Drees.

Read more in The Manassas News-Messenger....