Fauquier Times 07/12/2023

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SPORTS: Hannah Carlson and Jordan Tapscott are 2023 Kettle Run Athletes of the Year. PAGES 14, 15, 16, 18 July 12, 2023

Our 206th year | Vol. 206, No. 28 | www.Fauquier.com | $1.50 VIRGINIA PRESS ASSOCIATION: BEST SMALL NEWSPAPER IN VIRGINIA 2017-2022

Va. has no wildfire pollution monitors in Fauquier By Hunter Savery

Local at-home, air-quality monitors

Times Staff Writer

Canadian wildfire smoke clouded the air across Northern Virginia twice last month, causing the region to have some of the worst air-quality readings in the world. But the National Weather Service never issued air-quality alerts for Fauquier or southern Prince William for an unsettling reason: In both counties, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality lacks the equipment necessary to monitor smoke pollution. On June 8 and 29, when local skies were invaded by a smoky haze, residents across the Northeast relied on AirNow.gov for local and regional air-quality data. The website is an effort of the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal entities to collect and disseminate air-quality data across the country. See AIR QUALITY, page 4

Amid the lack of state-funded and managed air-quality monitors, local residents in the following locations have installed their own PurpleAir air-quality monitors.

Fauquier

• Vint Hill (Brookside) • Bealeton (Mintbrook)

Eastern Prince William

• Lake Ridge (Willowood Drive)

Western Prince William

• Bristow (Bristow Village) • Gainesville (Groveton Road) • Manassas (West Gate) • Manassas (First AME Baptist Church) • Manassas (Wheeler Ridge Drive, near Ashton Avenue) PHOTO BY HUGH KELLY

A drone photo of the hazy skies over Warrenton on June 7.

Fauquier County Fair returns with new shows, old standbys By Shannon Clark

Fauquier Times Staff Writer

For more than 60 years, the Fauquier County Fair has brought residents from all over the county together for a few days of shows, carnival rides, games, exhibitions, livestock showcases and lots of friendly competition. This year is no different, but attendees will have the opportunity to see two new country artists, enjoy new amusement rides and take in a rodeo show. See COUNTY FAIR, page 6 PHOTO BY CARSON MCRAE

True Grit Rodeo roper Tyler Mawyer performs during the 2021 Fauquier County Fair.

SOURCE: WWW2.PURPLEAIR.COM; WWW.AIRNOW.GOV

Heroux looks to improve infrastructure, cut meals tax Appointee vies for his first full term on Warrenton’s town council By Shannon Clark

Fauquier Times Staff Writer

Recently appointed Warrenton Town Councilman John B. “Jay” Heroux III says he’s seeking his first full term in the Nov. 7 special election to help the town “renovate John B. “Jay” and revitalize” and to Heroux III give back to the town that has given him and his family “a good life.” See HEROUX, page 6

Independent Lawrence Kovalik enters the race for the Center District supervisor’s seat, Page 3

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