RSSCounty notes
VDOT gears up for winter
Despite massive budget cuts and layoffs, the Virginia Department of Transportation's budget for snow removal is actually higher this winter, compared to the previous year.
The agency has budgeted $79.6 million for snow removal, compared to $75.8 million a year ago, but has fewer staffers and equipment to perform the work. The agency plans to increase its use of private contractors, if needed.
"While VDOT is making tough decisions to balance a significant revenue shortfall, our snow- and ice-removal standards will not change," VDOT Commissioner David Eckern said in a statement. The agency tries to have all roads passable within 48 hours of a snowfall.
VDOT plans to expand its use of anti-icing chemicals, which are applied before a storm and help prevent ice and snow from bonding with the road surface. The agency has 2,314 pieces of snow removal equipment, 3,146 crew members, 62,000 tons of sand and 239,000 tons of salt available to clear roads around the state this winter.
State officials are expected to propose additional cuts to the state's road construction budget later this month and will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes Dec. 1.
Senate bill continues gang task force funding
The fiscal 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill, which passed the U.S. Senate on Thursday, includes continuing funding for the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force.
According to the office of Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), the bill contains $300,000 for the anti-gang effort. The bill will now go into conference with the House version.
The Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional partnership linking local, state and federal law enforcement officials to target gang-related activities in the region.
County vaccinates 7,500 against flu
Fairfax County was able to vaccinate 7,494 people against the swine flu, or H1N1 virus, during its second mass vaccination clinic Saturday. The county has now expanded eligibility to pregnant women, children ages 6 months to 18 years, and the parents of children under 6 months old.
Vaccinations will again be available to those target groups starting at 8 a.m. tomorrow at the county's five health department clinics. The first 400 people to arrive at each clinic site will be vaccinated that day. An additional 250 people can be vaccinated tomorrow evening starting at 5 p.m. at the Joseph Willard Health Center in Fairfax City.
Another evening clinic is planned to vaccinate 250 people at the Herndon-Reston clinic Nov. 19.
Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu for the latest information about vaccination availability and eligibility.