Weather

Phil was welcomed with chants of “Phil, Phil, Phil,” and pulled from a hatch on his tree stump shortly after sunrise before a member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club read from a scroll in which he boasted: “Only I know — you can’t trust A.I.”


News

At approximately 2:45 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Aquia Creek Road, near Aquia Creek. Callers reported a neighboring residence on fire, and first arriving units marked the scene less than 10 minutes later and confirmed fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of a single-family residence.

Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, crews had to utilize rural water operations to shuttle water to the scene. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and bring it under control in approximately an hour, despite the roof collapsing.

The residence was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office. SCFR units were assisted on scene by Quantico Fire and Emergency Services.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


News

(AP) — Preliminary data from the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in nearly 25 years showed conflicting readings about the altitudes of an airliner and Army helicopter when they collided near Reagan National Airport in Washington, killing everyone aboard both aircraft, investigators said Saturday.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


Pets

Looking for a new best friend? Meet Echo, a 3-4-month-old pup full of love, energy, and curiosity. This little guy, possibly a Boxer mix, is still finding his voice, but one thing is clear—he’s all about cuddles and playtime.

Echo is working hard on potty training, though he still thinks “inside or outside?” is more of a suggestion than a rule. He’s curious about cats, does well with other dogs, and is eager to find a loving family. However, a meet-and-greet is required to ensure a good fit.


Manassas

A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.

According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


Health

As bird flu cases continue to rise in the U.S., UVA Health infectious diseases expert Dr. Patrick Jackson provided insights into the latest developments and potential risks during a media briefing. With over 60 confirmed human cases nationwide and recent detections in birds across Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, concerns about the virus’s spread have resurfaced.

Jackson reassured the public that while the presence of bird flu in Virginia is noteworthy, it does not significantly change the risk level for humans. “We’ve known for a long time that H5N1 influenza, in its current strain, is widely distributed in wild bird populations,” he said. “The fact that it’s been detected in poultry operations in Virginia was something we expected to happen sooner or later.”

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


News

Due to an unforeseen number of staff absences, Stafford County Public Schools is experiencing bus delays this afternoon. 

Several schools are being significantly impacted by delays, including North Stafford High, Brooke Point High, and Colonial Forge High, which have reported delays ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. The elementary and middle schools, such as Garrisonville Elementary and Stafford Middle, are also experiencing delays, particularly for routes that have been combined or affected by traffic.

“Yes, this also affected morning runs… As you have seen, there is a rise in flu-like illnesses in Stafford,” said Stafford County Public Schools spokeswoman Sandra Osborn. “We are asking that parents please be patient and monitor the delay board. We also ask that they keep their children home when they are ill.”

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


News

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


Catch the performance from Friday, January 24, 2025, to Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Allstate Community Theater, 810 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg. Shows start at 8 pm, and tickets are just $20.

Have an event coming up? It’s FREE to submit! Head over to this link to share your event details. Simply fill out the form, and we’ll feature it on our site. Don’t miss out!


News

At least five young figure skaters from Northern Virginia and some of their parents were killed in the tragic plane crash Wednesday night between American Airlines Flight 5342 from Kansas and an Army Black Hawk helicopter flying on a training mission over the Potomac River.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


View More Stories