I don’t know what it is about fall, but anything between the temperatures of 58 and 76 degrees just makes me want to put on a sweater and some sneakers and head out for a hike. I say that as the most non-hiker to ever walk the planet.
Maybe that’s why today’s lead story feels so perfect for this week. Many parts of Virginia are experiencing peak fall weather—whether that’s for leaf peeping, mountain adventures, or winding trails. However you decide to enjoy the season, I’m so glad you’re here.
P.S. Are you planning to vote by mail this election? If so, there’s still time to request your mail-in ballot—but you’d better act fast! The deadline (Oct. 23) is quickly approaching.
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Your thoughts about voting could inspire someone else. Tell us what’s motivating you in a short, selfie-style video, and we may feature it in our newsletter or on social.* Tell us why you’re voting →
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The Mount Vernon Trail was started in 1972 by two women, Ellen Pickering and Barbara Lynch, as a way for bike riders to travel along the Potomac River without having to ride on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. (Adobe Stock)
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By Zamone Perez
Here’s what you need to know: A well-known outdoor recreation corridor in Virginia is getting some national love from a walking and bicycling advocacy organization.
The facts:
- The Mount Vernon Trail is the newest member of the Rail to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. It stretches more than 18 miles from George Washington’s Virginia estate up to Theodore Roosevelt Island across the Potomac from Georgetown.
- Walkers, cyclists and runners can take in iconic views like the Washington Monument and important ecological sites like the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve.
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The Mount Vernon Trail received 58% of a public vote out of three locations across the country, with the others in Ohio and Texas.
Want to visit? We’ve got more about this and other trails at the link below.
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Protestors rally in Fairfax County on Oct. 9 against the proposed merger between Florida-based NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy. (Michael O’Connor/Dogwood)
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By Michael O’Connor
At an Oct. 9 hearing in Fairfax County, Virginia residents and state leaders made clear their frustrations with the State Corporation Commission as it reviews the proposed merger between Florida-based NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy.
It took Cindy Burbank an hour to get from her home in rural Fauquier County through heavy Friday evening traffic for the chance to speak for two minutes against the $67 billion deal that’s drawn intense scrutiny from state leaders, local governments, and residents.
Burbank’s message for the SCC commissioners—who were not actually there to hear her comments directly—was that people think they are just going through the motions in their review of the merger.
“ The vast majority of Virginians who oppose this acquisition were not here because they have no confidence that the SCC cares about their opinions,” Burbank said in an interview. “And the SCC has not made it easy for us to be here.”
Burbank, who is active with a group called Protect Fauquier, said she opposed the merger because Dominion is getting rich from the proliferation of data centers and transmission lines in Virginia at the expense of the state’s natural beauty, environment, and the well-being of local communities.
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By Michael O’Connor
Noah Schwarzott, a 25-year-old Air Force veteran, joined the No Kings demonstration in Alexandria on South Washington Street on Oct. 17.
It was a cold, blustery day but Schwarzott felt it was important to protest the Trump administration’s mass surveillance, attacks on immigrants, and crackdown on protesters.
”It’s kind of cold, but it was also cold in Minneapolis when they killed Renee Good,” Schwarzott told Dogwood. “People were out there protesting in full force.”
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Have you shared this newsletter with a neighbor?
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Zamone Perez via Public News Service and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.
Dogwood is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.
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