Virginia
Dark Sky Week resolution highlights ‘wonder and awe’ of star gazing • Virginia Mercury
By Sam Bradley / Capital News Service
Lawmakers unanimously supported a resolution that encouraged Virginians to “ponder the cosmic eons beyond” and consider the impact of increased light pollution.
Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, introduced House Joint Resolution 74 to designate the week of the new moon in April as International Dark Sky Week. Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a proclamation the past two years in observance of the week, but it will now have official designation and be placed on the General Assembly website.
The resolution sheds light on a dark sky movement that values darkness to appreciate “the beauty of the night sky above” and explores solutions to minimize light pollution.
“This first part is about awareness,” Reid said, with hopes people will think about the kinds of lighting used in their homes or businesses.
Reid was inspired by an avid photographer friend to present the resolution to the General Assembly, in addition to his own self-described amateur forays into astronomy.
“It’s again, awe inspiring when you can look through the telescope and see these things with your own eyes,” Reid said.
He hopes that clearer night skies may encourage children to engage with science, technology and engineering programs at a young age.
The DarkSky International organization defines light pollution as the human-made alteration of natural levels of light. This can occur from the harsh exterior lighting of buildings, parking lots and street lamps.
Light pollution harms migratory birds and other local wildlife in addition to blocking out the night sky, according to the organization.
The annual cost of wasted energy in the U.S. is estimated to be roughly $3 billion, according to the resolution and previous proclamations from the governor’s office.
The first lighting ordinance was passed in Arizona in 1958. The DarkSky organization began advocacy in 1988 to educate and preserve starry views throughout the world, according to its website.
The history of Dark Sky Week is rooted in a Virginia suburb and North Carolina beach. Midlothian native Jennifer Barlow realized as a teen that her view of the stars was not the same in her backyard as it was at the beach, according to a University of Virginia profile.
Barlow’s mission to “spread the wonders of the skies in their full beauty” reached a worldwide audience and became the inspiration for International Dark Sky Week, she told Sky and Telescope in 2006.
The celebratory week was first observed in April 2003. International Dark Sky Week will occur from April 2-8 this year, according to DarkSky.
Virginia describes itself as the home of “some of the best stargazing on the East Coast.” And there are several renowned observatories and parks, according to the resolution.
James River, Natural Bridge, Sky Meadows and Staunton River state parks are officially designated as Dark Sky parks. This means that these parks follow strict lighting ordinances to prevent light pollution and obscuration of the night sky.
George Spagna is the former director of Randolph-Macon College’s Keeble Observatory and former mayor of Ashland, a town about 20 miles north of Richmond.
“We have grown into a nation of people who are afraid of the dark,” Spagna said. “The problem with being afraid of the dark is you can’t see the wonders of the universe around you.”
Randolph-Macon College has offered astronomy courses since their relocation to Ashland in 1868. Star-gazing classes were on the catalog as early as 1872, according to Spagna.
Spagna worked with Ashland to meet light pollution standards established by the International Dark Sky Association. He explained that lighting can often be an afterthought for developers, and an official Dark Sky week could help make the public more cognizant of light pollution.
Staunton River State Park was the first Virginia park in 2015 to be designated by the international organization, and the 25th in the world.
Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society hosts the biannual Staunton River Star Party at the park, with the spring event held this year March 4-10. Astronomers camp for the week and aim equipment toward the dark sky.
Public day for the star party will be held March 8, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m, for those who wish to observe the “transitive nightfall of diamonds.”
Virginia
Snow expected tonight across DC, Maryland, Virginia: Forecast, totals, winter weather alerts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A quick-moving winter storm will likely bring the first meaningful snowfall of the season to the D.C. region tonight, with slippery travel expected overnight into early Sunday as temperatures stay cold enough for snow to stick.
What we know:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Washington, D.C., central and northern Maryland and northern Virginia from 8 p.m. tonight through 7 a.m. Sunday.
Forecasts call for:
- 1 to 3 inches of snow for much of the Washington–Baltimore region
- 4 to 5 inches possible in parts of Baltimore County and northeastern Maryland
- A brief period of rain at the start in some spots before quickly changing to snow
Meteorologists say a narrow band of heavier snow could set up late tonight, briefly dropping visibility to less than half a mile and allowing snow to pile up faster.
Snow totals and impacts
Once the precipitation turns fully to snow, travel may become slippery across the region.
Expected snowfall amounts:
- D.C. metro: 1–3 inches
- Montgomery and Prince George’s counties: 1–3 inches
- Howard and Anne Arundel counties: 1–3 inches
- Baltimore region: 2–4 inches, with isolated 5-inch totals
- Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria): 1–3 inches
Temperatures fall into the upper 20s and low 30s, helping the snow accumulate on untreated roads, sidewalks and bridges.
Why this storm matters
This system marks the first snow of the season that will actually stick for the D.C. area. The storm arrives as yet another blast of Arctic air drops into the Mid-Atlantic.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the weakening of the polar vortex is allowing cold air to spill south, setting the stage for any moisture tonight to fall as snow.
What’s next
Snow is expected to taper off by mid to late Sunday morning. A Gale Warning is also in effect for the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac starting Sunday morning, and wind chills near 0°F are possible late Sunday night into Monday.
Residents should monitor local forecasts and plan for slower travel overnight and early Sunday.
The Source: This story is based on forecasts and advisories from the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington and the FOX Forecast Center.
Virginia
Virginia mosque attacked, Muslim advocates call for hate crime charges
Worshippers assaulted outside of Virginia mosque
A Virginia doctor has been arrested and charged with attacking a Fairfax County mosque as worshipers were leaving prayer. The mosque says it’s the second time the man has attacked the same mosque.
FAIRFAX, Va. – Community members are calling for the man accused of attacking a Muslim community center in Virginia to be charged with hate crimes after he was recently arrested. The mosque says the man has attacked its members multiple times.
Virginia mosque attack
What we know:
The latest attack happened on Nov. 28, at the Dar Al Nur Community Center in Fairfax County. In security footage shared by the mosque, a man can be seen berating a group of women leaving prayer. When they see the man, they run back through the door and threaten to call the police.
The man is then seen swatting at the camera, while shouting, “F—ing Muslims! Get the f— out of here!”
Police arrested Dr. Tony Hsiao shortly after the incident, charging him with assault, trespassing and destruction of property. Hsiao was arrested last year on similar charges.
What they’re saying:
Hsiao has not been charged with a hate crime, and advocates say that’s unacceptable.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called pubically Friday for state and federal officials to charge Hsiao with a hate crime.
“[F]ederal authorities must hold him fully accountable by filing hate crime charges,” CAIR attorney Ahmad Kaki said in a statement. “no one should be able to get away with repeatedly attacking the same house of worship. We must send a message that all faiths are welcome and safe in Fairfax County and throughout our nation.”
The Source: Information in this story is from the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Fairfax County Police Department.
Virginia
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) – The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 on Wednesday.
This year’s group of athletes, coaches, administrators, and contributors whose influence spans generations, levels of competitions across the state. This includes one man from Richmond, who has also been named the 2026 Distinguished Virginian.
The Class of 2026 inductees are as follows:
- Bobby Ukrop (Richmond): Robert S. “Bobby” Ukrop has been named the “2026 Distinguished Virginian” presented to an individual with a sports background who is a distinguished citizen of the Commonwealth based on outstanding life accomplishment”. A former basketball player at the University of Richmond, Ukrop has been a transformative community leader, leading initiatives throughout Central Virginia including the founding of Richmond Sports Backers, construction of the Diamond baseball stadium, efforts to “Drown-proof Virginia” learn to swim initiative.
- Grant Hill (Reston): ACC Player of the Year; two-time consensus All American; two-time NCAA Champion; one of the ACC’s 50 Greatest Players; 19-year NBA career – 17,137 points -7-time NBA All-Star- 3-time NBA Sportsmanship Award; Olympic Gold Medalist; member of the College and Naismith Memorial Basketball Halls of Fame. National broadcaster for both NCAA and NBA games. Co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) Orlando City SC (MLS), Orlando Pride (NWSL) and the Baltimore Orioles (MLB).
- Marcellus “Boo” Williams (Hampton): Widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential youth basketball coaches in the nation, Williams has helped shape the careers of countless young men’s and women’s players. Walt Disney Wide World of Sports named Williams its 2001 Volunteer of the Year; The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame presented him with its 2013 Human Spirit Award. Williams currently operates his youth basketball programs from the 135,000 sq. ft. Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton.
- Michael Vick (Newport News): The former Virginia Tech standout and NFL quarterback, Vick became one of the most dynamic players of his generation. At Virginia Tech, Vick led the Hokies to the 1999 National Championship game and was a 1st team All-American and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. The #1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft, Vick played in the NFL for 13 seasons, earning 4 Pro Bowl selections and the 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. After his retirement, Vick was a commentator for Fox NFL Sunday. He is currently the head coach of the Norfolk State University Spartans.
- Wally Walker (Charlottesville): Often credited with starting the prominence of UVA basketball, Walker led the Cavaliers to their first NCAA tournament berth in 1976 when he was the MVP of the ACC Tournament. Walker was the #5 overall pick of the 1976 NBA draft and played for 8 NBA seasons winning two NBA Championships. Following his playing career, Walker moved to the front office, to become the President of Seattle SuperSonics.
- Kristi Toliver (Harrisonburg): One of the most accomplished basketball players in Virginia history. Toliver was the 2009 ACC Player of the Year, a 2-time All-American, NCAA National Champion, 1st round WNBA selection, 2-time WNBA Champion and a 3-time WNBA AllStar. Toliver is currently the associate head coach of the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.
- Terry Driscoll (Williamsburg): A visionary leader in collegiate athletics, Driscoll served with distinction as the Director of Athletics at William & Mary for 22 years, during which the Tribe won 114 Conference Championships, had 118 teams with 100% graduation rates and oversaw a dramatic increase in funding for new facilities and the College’s endowment. A true “Scholar-Athlete” himself, Driscoll was an Athletic and Academic All-American, the #4 overall pick in the 1969 NBA draft, and a championship professional coach in Europe.
- Roland Lazenby (Wytheville): A former reporter with the Roanoke Times, Lazenby is best known for his award-winning author of over 60 sports books that has vaulted him to the top of his profession. Widely regarded as an “expert or authority” on NBA basketball, several of his most prominent books are “go to” references on Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
- Tony Bennett: Former University of Virginia basketball coach, two-time Naismith Coach of the Year, and national championship coach as long stood among college basketball’s most respected leaders. Over an 18-season head coaching career, including stops at Washington State and the University of Virginia, he compiled a remarkable 433-and-169 overall record. He took over Virginia in 2009 and transformed the Cavaliers into a powerhouse, amassing a 364- 136 record while becoming the programs all-time wins leader. His crowning achievement came in 2019, when his team captured the NCAA national championship- a milestone that delivered Virginia its first ever national title in men’s basketball. Under Bennett’s stewardship, Virginia won six regular season conference titles, two conference championships, and made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
The 53rd induction events are set for Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa/Short Pump.
Copyright 2025 WWBT. All rights reserved.
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