High school public-announcement systems. Barking dogs. Dirt bikes. Motorcycles. Some or all of these have generated complaints from Hanover County residents about excessive noise. As a result, the Board of Supervisors will have a public hearing next month on proposed changes to its noise ordinance. Here’s what’s happening and why. What prompted the county to revisit its noise ordinance?

Closing 25 Virginia interstate highway rest stops would be penny-wise and pound-foolish, speakers told state transportation officials in Richmond last night. The harm that the barricaded rest areas will inflict on the state’s tourist industry and highway safety far outweighs the $12 million in annual savings that closing the rest stops would yield, speakers said.