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Flags over the state capitol and other government buildings in Virginia will be lowered at sunrise and remain at half-staff until sunset to honor Officer Derek Crouse who was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop Thursday. Also killed that day was the man police believe pulled the trigger – 22-year-old Ross Truett Ashley, of Spotsylvania County – who was found dead from a self-inflicted gun wound shortly after the Crouse was killed.

“I am deeply saddened by today’s news of another tragedy affecting the Virginia Tech community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those impacted by these shootings. Since this news first broke we have been monitoring the situation closely and I have made available all requested state resources to Virginia Tech, including the Virginia State Police. I have also spoken to Virginia Tech President Charles Steger earlier this afternoon,” McDonnell said in a statement.

If spot something fun and interesting in Stafford, take a photo, caption it, and click the link to send it to us!

“The exhibition is a teaching and learning experience,” Gallick said. “For example, we give assignments based on the show, such as asking students to select three artworks and discuss art techniques used. The show is also a gathering spot where faculty, staff and students share ideas on art and other discussions that may unfold.”

Gallick’s latest celebrity portraits were inspired by Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris.” Her artworks range from an unfinished rendering of Woody Allen on canvas to highly embellished, mixed-media portraits of Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh.

The U.S. marked the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Wednesday. On the anniversary date two years ago at the Museum of the National Marine Corps in Triangle, our KJ Mushung snapped this photo of the sun casting shadows on one of the displays inside the museum.

Seventy years ago today America began a transformation that would take it from being an inward-looking and isolationist backwater to becoming one of the greatest powers the world has ever known. The country the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941 was not the same country that would defeat them a scant three years and nine months later.

The transformation of the U.S. is all the more remarkable when you consider how ill-prepared the country really was to conduct World War II, even though that war sure seems all but inevitable in hindsight. Prior to World War II we could only count 190,000 soldiers and 464 tanks in the U.S. Army. At the time, neither the soldiers nor the tanks seemed ready for war. The soldiers’ training was generally inferior and their weapons did not compare favorably to those of other nations. In 1939, our forces were basically equal to those of Romania.

Dumfries, Va. — Some local authors encourage you give the gift of literature this holiday season, and they’re hoping you gift their books.

Twelve authors who live or work in Prince William County all have published books this holiday season. They can range from short stories to novels.

Update 8:15 p.m.

Officials warn cracks in chimneys that could have been caused by the August quake could allow dangerous gasses and heat to escape into homes.

After the quake, chimney fires were a big concern for officials at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said spokesman Bob Speildenner. The agency, however, has does not track instances of chimney fires caused by earthquake-related chimney cracks.