A Virginia-made soft drink that achieved icon status among its followers has now been out of production for more than two years, but its fans are still working to bring it back. And, recent issues involving exotic animals have one Virginia county looking to change its pet ownership laws.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. news link. More now from Fred Echols and Edie Gross with VPAP.

The Coast Guard says the pilot of a ship that ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay was distracted by his phone just before the accident. And, thousands of Virginians by-passed the candidates on the ballots in the recent mid-term elections – writing in alternative choices, human and otherwise.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. news link. More now from Fred Echols and Edie Gross with VPAP.

Prince Edward County has revised its official seal to recognize a landmark event in its history. And, a neighborhood in Newport News will soon have a food forest open to the entire community.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. news link. More now from Fred Echols and Edie Gross with VPAP.

Two of Virginia’s indigenous tribes are working to reacquire and preserve more than a thousand acres of their ancestral lands with the help of grant money from the state. And, one of the few U.S. school systems with an ombudsman’s office says community complaints were up in the most recent school year.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. news link. More now from Fred Echols and Edie Gross with the Virginia Public Access Project.

A new survey suggests Virginians may not fully recognize the risks of driving under the influence of marijuana. And, northern Virginia is finally getting its long-awaited extension of the DC Metro.

Those have been among the most read stories during the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link. More now from Fred Echols and Edie Gross with the Virginia Public Access Project.

Volunteer acorn collectors are playing a major role in supporting Virginia’s forests. And, VCU has decided to delay distribution of a craft beer carrying the school’s logo.