Friday notes: Surovell bills advance, Priebus buys house in area, West Po linebacker commits

February 3, 2017 Police and Fire, Politics, Sports
bike lane

Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Scott Surovell would make it illegal for vehicles to pass other vehicles by entering a bike lane.

Surovell bills advance

Two traffic safety-related bills sponsored by State Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36) advanced in the Virginia General Assembly this week. The first bill would make it illegal for drivers to pass other vehicles on the right by entering a bike lane. The second bill would make it a specific traffic offense to hit a pedestrian or other “vulnerable road users” while driving in a careless or distracted manner. Surovell, whose district includes much of the Richmond Highway area, said on Facebook that “[w]e’ve seen way too many deaths on U.S. 1.”

Read more on WTOP.com.

Trump chief of staff moving here

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus is moving to the Richmond Highway area. The Washington Business Journal reported Wednesday that Priebus purchased a $1.25 million house in the Hollindale neighborhood. Priebus, who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee before joining the Trump administration, will be living with his family in a newly constructed 5-bedroom, 5.5 bathroom home. Priebus’s new voting precinct, Kirkside, voted overwhelmingly in favor of Hillary Clinton in the November election. 

Read more at bizjournals.com.

Krizek mocks anti-pornography bill

Del. Paul Krizek (D-44), whose district includes a large part of the Richmond Highway area, drew laughter speaking out against an anti-pornography bill in the House of Delegates on Thursday. Sponsored by Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William), the bill would designate pornography a “public health hazard.” It passed the House by a 91-8 margin, which Krizek attributed to people being afraid to be cast as pro-pornography during their next election bid.

“It’s just the dumbest thing,” said Krizek, who was the only delegate to speak out against the bill on the House floor. “I’m not for pornography, but I think it’s up to people to have their choice.” Read more on Richmond.com or listen to Krizek on npr.org.

West Potomac senior commits

Da’Jon Bellfield, an all-district linebacker for West Potomac last season, has committed to play football for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise next year. Bellfield was a team captain for the Wolverines this past fall and helped lead an often-punishing defense that keyed West Potomac to 9-3 season. UVA-Wise is a Division II program that plays in the Mountain East Conference. 

Bellfield announced his intentions via Twitter: