A flood watch is in effect for Stafford County and surrounding areas from 5 to 11 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued the watch due to the potential for flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall.
The flood watch covers parts of central, northern, northwest, and western Virginia, including Albemarle, Central Virginia Blue Ridge, Greene, Orange, Spotsylvania, Culpeper, Southern Fauquier, Madison, Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Page, Rappahannock, Augusta, and Rockingham.
Early this morning, deputies responded to a shooting in the 11200 block of Ashby Drive, about four miles from Riverbend High School, finding a man and woman with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect shot the victims during an argument outside their home, ran over the female victim with his vehicle, and later turned himself in, police said. Both victims are in stable condition at a trauma center.
Deputies responded to a reported shooting this morning shortly after 1:00am in the 11200 block of Ashby Drive. Deputies arrived to find an adult male and female suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to an area trauma center with serious injuries, but are listed in stable condition. Witnesses advised that an acquaintance arrived at the home where several people were and was asked to leave. The subject refused to leave and an argument ensued outside the home in the front yard where he brandished a gun and shot the two adult victims multiple times. The suspect then left the property and while doing so, ran over the female victim with his vehicle. The suspect later turned himself into authorities. Joseph Alfonza Jackson, age 43 of Spotsylvania was arrested by Detectives for malicious wounding (3 counts). Jackson was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has extended a swimming advisory for Lake Anna as a harmful algae bloom continues. The VDH cautioned this algae bloom is not connected to the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) outbreak that occurred after Memorial Day.
According to the VDH, some harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can cause skin rashes and gastrointestinal illnesses. Algae blooms can occur when warm water and nutrients combine to make conditions favorable for algae growth. Most algae species are harmless; however, some species may produce irritating compounds or toxins. Avoid discolored water or scums that are green or bluish-green because they are more likely to contain toxins.
It’s summer, and while Christmas might be the last thing on your mind, Volunteer Prince William is holding our Christmas in July program to support Untrim a Tree 2024 (UTAT). You can make an online donation now! Last year, we faced a significant drop in toy donations, causing many unsponsored children to face the possibility of Christmas morning without gifts.
Your support allows us to provide these children with a Merry Christmas! If you want to sponsor a child when UTAT goes live this Fall, we’ll be glad to provide you with the name and wish list of a child. Please visit https://bit.ly/485xq6Q to donate or email [email protected] for more information. You can also purchase toys now for UTAT by visiting our Amazon wish list. On behalf of the kids you’ll be helping, thank you for your support!
Update July 23: City Council members will attend the CSX public statement on July 24. The event is at 3 p.m. in the gravel parking lot behind VRE Lots G and H. The entrance is at the corner of Prince Edward and Frederick Streets.
Mayor Kerry P. Devine addressed the recent train derailment behind Fredericksburg’s Cobblestone Square apartment complex, expressing concern for the community’s safety.
Stafford County’s Planning Commission will hold its next meeting on July 24. On the agenda is a new telecom tower off the Interstate 95 (I-95) exit 143A ramp.
The 23-acre lot is currently not zoned. VDOT owns the vacant buffer zone between Route 1 and I-95. Nearby land is zoned B-2 (Neighborhood Business) and contains a business park and mixed commercial properties.
Aquia Landing Park, known for its scenic location at the Potomac River and Aquia Creek confluence, will soon unveil a new playground. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, scheduled for July 27, 2024, will include gift bag handouts for children attending the event.
The new playground, seen in the slideshow above, is a basic playset developed with a project cost of $144,000. The site’s limitations, including space constraints and susceptibility to flooding, influenced the straightforward design. The project was completed smoothly, with the installation promptly done once the equipment arrived after several months of waiting.
Dr. Janet Gullickson, President of Germanna Community College, shared insights about the new facility, highlighting its significance and what it will offer to the community.
Gullickson explained that the new campus will be much larger than its predecessor, with approximately 75,000 square feet of space across two buildings, about four times its current campus at 124 Old Potomac Chruch Road near Stafford Hospital.
In a statement posted to X, Biden said he is stepping aside “in the “best interest of my party and the country.”
Several people gathered at the Manassas National Battlefield yesterday, July 20, 2024, to commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas. The event marks one of the two major battles of the Civil War on the battlefield, marking the start of the four-year conflict between the states.
The park events on July 20 focused on experiencing the battles through various sensory experiences with programs and stations across Henry Hill. Activities included firing demonstrations, Civil War field music, interactive tactile exhibits, kids’ crafts, junior ranger activities, cooking demonstrations, food samples, and other living history programs. These activities extended throughout the park, including at the Andrew Redman Blacksmith Shop.
