Virginia DEQ Grants Water Withdrawal Permit for Caroline County Amid Legal Dispute

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has approved a permit for Caroline County to withdraw 9 million gallons of water daily from the Rappahannock River for residential use in Port Royal, Bowling Green, and surrounding areas. The location of the water intake facility is currently contested in a legal dispute involving eminent domain with a local farmer.

In Spotsylvania County, the Board of Supervisors enacted design standards for data centers, though the regulations may change due to a narrow vote. Meanwhile, the Fredericksburg Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council deny a data center project near Cowan Boulevard and Interstate 95 for the second time.

Spotsylvania's School Board allocated $1 million for weapons-detection systems at seven middle schools, following prior installations at high schools and other venues. Lastly, a recount confirmed that incumbent Supervisor Chris Yakabouski won by 16 votes over Baron Braswell for the Battlefield District seat.