Most people would welcome the chance for a shorter, easier commute -- especially people who are stuck with driving in some of the most congested areas.

A plan on the table would create a new "Outer Beltway" that would be a shortcut through northern Virginia but would cut through Manassas and some of its most historic areas, setting the stage for a fight between progress and history that some are calling the next Battle of Manassas.

The route would connect Interstate 95 in Dumfries with Interstate 66 in the Manassas area, then run up to and beyond Dulles International Airport. It also would go through some historic, picturesque land at the Manassas Battlefield Park.

The North-South corridor as it is being called could cost about $1 billion. The state says its needed to handle all the expected growth in northern Virginia in the coming years and it could also provide a more direct route to Dulles for cargo traffic.

Monday, a large turnout of lawmakers and residents pushed back against the idea.

"Sometimes it's actually much, much more important in my job to actually stop bad things, stop bad ideas,” Republican state Sen. Jill Vogel said. “This is a bad thing.”

Now some are saying if this plan moves forward some roads will actually have to be closed, which could make the commute along places like I-66 even worse.

Click here to view 4 NBC Washington news clip.

A Virginia Senate committee on Thursday advanced a bill intended to make soccer goals safer after a Virginia mother tearfully recalled how one fell on her 10-year-old son and killed him.

Mary Ellias of Stephens City described the accident that took the life of her son, Hayden, in 2007 while he played goalie in Frederick County. She called on the Senate Committee on Education and Health to pass a bill requiring that organizations that own or control moveable soccer goals to establish policies to ensure that they are properly anchored.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-Fauquier), also would prohibit the sale of movable soccer goals that are not tip-resistant beginning July 1, 2014.

Vogel testified that it takes just 20 pounds of pressure to tip over a 400-pound goal that is not properly anchored. She brought a similar bill last year that died before a different committee.

The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — State Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel and her husband, Alex, welcomed a baby girl into their family on Wednesday morning.

 While public officials having children is not that rare, Vogel’s baby is putting her in the legislative record books.

 “A few years ago, she was the only senator in the commonwealth to have a baby while in office,” Vogel’s legislative assistant, Tricia Stiles, said from the senator’s Winchester office. “Now she holds the title of being the only [state] senator, ever, to have two babies while in office.”

 The Upperville resident, who represents the 27th District — in cluding Winchester and Frederick and Clarke counties — gave birth to 7- pound Olivia Marguerite Holtzman Vogel at Warrenton’s Fauquier Hospital at 8:51 a.m.

 Vogel, who had her baby via cesarean section, was in good spirits that afternoon.

 “ I’m doing well,” Vogel said from her hospital room. “So far, not in a lot of pain. It’s been a pretty ex­citing day. Have had a bunch of friends and family around and I now have lots of pink ba­by clothes.”

 Pink is key.

 Vogel, who has three sons with her husband, was hop­ing for a girl. She named the baby Olivia after her cousin and chose Marguerite after her great aunt.

 Vogel, 41, is in her second term in office. In her re-elec­tion bid in November, the Re­publican walloped Democrat­ic opponent Shaun Broy with 24,494 votes (75 percent) to his 7,596 (23 percent).

 Vogel, who is also a part­time attorney, is on commit­tees for Finance, Courts of Justice, General Laws and Technology, Privileges and Elections, and Rehabilitation and Social Services.

 The General Assembly is not currently in session.

 “ I got really lucky, it worked out perfectly that we’re in recess until May 14,” Vogel said. ”It was a nice re­prieve. Everyone thought I was going to go into labor during session and I did have a little scare a few weeks ago, but was fine.” But she won’t be on mater­nity leave long.

 “When we get back in ses­sion we’ll be appointing some judges,” she said, referring to 26th Circuit nominee Clay Athey, who would serve local­ly.

 Baby Olivia joins brothers Will, 8; John “ Jack, ” 6; and Thomas “Taz,” 3, and Vogel’s stepchildren Peyton, 13, and Alex, 11.

 —Contact Sarah L. Greenhalgh at sgreenhalgh@winchesterstar.com