Lights on Afton Mountain, new Farm Use plate laws: THE DIGEST

New Farm Use vehicle plate laws go into effect

RICHMOND – Laws governing farm use vehicle tags have changed.

The new farm use vehicle guidelines require a permanent placard issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles rather than the traditional farm use plate. This includes pickup trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating less than or equal to 7,500 pounds, panel trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating equal or less than 7,500 pounds, and SUVs with gross vehicle weight equal or less than 7,500 pounds.

"We know Virginia's farmers are working hard to ensure they are compliant, and we truly believe that this brochure will be immensely helpful as they determine which plate or placard is right for them," said Virginia DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey. "We are grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with our partners, and we are very happy to be able to share this with the public."

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation issued a press release, including guides on the new law. The guides are downloadable through the Virginia Farm Bureau and DMV websites. The resources said vehicles with a gross weight greater than 7,500 pounds, trailers, and semitrailers are still permitted to use the old farm use tags. Cars do not qualify for farm use tags in Virginia.

This policy extends to the SAW localities. According to Lt. Leslie Snyder with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, there has not been an uptick in summons issued for farm use violations.

“The new code is spelled out pretty clear,” Snyder told The News Leader. “If a deputy pulls someone over for having the old farm use tags on, they can receive a summons for the violation, if the vehicle is not considered to be in one of the categories that the code spells out.”

Lessons and a tour through Virginia Tech’s agriculture research

Anyone interested in agriculture will have an opportunity to learn more with Virginia Tech.

The Virginia Tech Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center 2024 Field Day will be held on August 7, offering a free tour of the farm.

“We will feature field tours of ongoing forage, livestock, and forestry demonstration and research projects,” reads a press release on the event. “Please consider joining us for this free, in-person tour of the farm.”

The tour will offer specific lessons on creep-grazing for fall calves, bale grazing, silvopasture, and native warm season grasses and wildflowers.

More information, and a link to register for the event, is available online .

Lights coming to Afton Mountain

CULPEPER – The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to install lighting on Interstate 64 at the summit of Afton Mountain.

“This proposed project will involve installing lighting at the top of Afton Mountain around the I-64 exit 99 interchange to improve safety and visibility for motorists," reads the press release. "Thirty-five pole-mounted lighting fixtures will be installed within the limits of the exit 99 interchange along I-64 and U.S. 250. The lighting will improve visibility where the interchange ramps connect with U.S. 250 (Three Notched Mountain Highway).”

According to the press release, a visual impact study found the planned lighting will have “minimal impacts” on most of the adjacent natural areas, such as Shenandoah National Park.

VDOT will hold a public hearing at Kate Collins Middle School, 1625 Ivy Street in Waynesboro, at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The VDOT team will consider any comment provided at the hearing, or during the 10-day comment period following the event. To provide written comment, email Caroline.Awua-Mensah@vdot.virginia.gov , referencing “I-64 Interchange Lighting Comment” in the subject line.

More information is available on the project web page: www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/culpeper-district/interstate-64-afton-mountain-safety-improvements/ .

Columbia Gas of Virginia assigns new blood to gas operations and maintenance leadership

Columbia Gas of Virginia has named a new Vice President of Gas Operations.

Aaron Boeke entered the new role on July 1, now responsible for “for emergency response, operations and maintenance of the distribution systems that provide safe, reliable and efficient natural gas service to nearly 290,000 customers in Virginia.”

“Aaron is a proven leader and will be a valuable addition to our team,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “His significant knowledge and expertise will help enhance our dedication and commitment to ensuring quality service and the safety of our customers, employees and the communities we serve.”

According to a press release from Columbia Gas, Boeke has experience in nuclear energy, business integration and supply chain management, and safety management system governance. He was NiSource’s Senior Director of Asset Knowledge Management and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

VDOT traffic alerts for July 15 to July 19

STAUNTON – The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

INTERSTAT E 64

• No lane closures reported.

INTERSTATE 81

• Mile marker 205 to 211 , northbound – Overnight single lane closures for pavement resurfacing, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through August 15.
• *UPDATE* Mile marker 206 to 210 , northbound – Right shoulder closures for shoulder repairs, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
• Mile marker 214 to 210 , southbound – Alternating lane closures for milling and paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through July 25. Exit 213 traffic will be detoured during ramp paving.
• Mile marker 220 to 221 , northbound and southbound – Shoulders closed 24/7 for bridge replacement and roadway construction as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Work zone speed limit 60 miles an hour. Expected completion summer 2025.
• *UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 227 , northbound and southbound – Overnight left lane closures for installation of temporary concrete barriers, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights. Right and left shoulder closures in place 24/7 through spring 2026. Work zone speed limit 60 miles an hour. Traffic restrictions are for I-81 widening project .
• *NEW* Mile marker 223 to 221 , southbound – Right shoulder closures for litter pickup, 12 noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
• *NEW* Mile Marker 234 to 237 , northbound and southbound – Overnight single-lane closures for inspection of Route 256 overpass bridge, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday night.

PRIMARY ROAD S

• *NEW* Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) – Eastbound and westbound overnight alternating lane closures between Staunton city limits and Route 792 (Brand Station Road/Sangers Lane) for installation of temporary concrete barrier, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights.

SECONDARY ROADS

• Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor , through May 2025.
• Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) – Closed between I-81 frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for bridge replacement as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Follow posted detour. Expected completion summer 2025.
• Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) for utility work, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September 30.
• Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor , through June 2025.
• Route 682 (McKinley Road) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 252 (Middlebrook Road) and Route 679 (Campbells Hollow Road) for utility pole installation, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through July 25.
• Route 865 (Rockfish Road) – Closed to through traffic between Route 612 (New Hope-Crimora Road) and Route 619 (Hildebrand Church Road) for installation of box culvert, through July 25. Follow posted detour.
• Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Lights on Afton Mountain, new Farm Use plate laws: THE DIGEST