STAFFORD, Va. – The staff at Stafford County will conduct a full-scale emergency shelter drill this Friday, October 3—and you may notice increased activity near Shirley Heim Middle School and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
This joint exercise, conducted with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Rappahannock Area Health District, Stafford County Public Schools, and St. Peter’s, will test the county’s ability to open and operate emergency shelters in the event of a major disaster.
Last week, Atlantic Funding Limited LLC sued Jefferson as a private citizen, alleging she spread misinformation during two town hall meetings about the company’s plan to build five data centers on 61 acres behind the Four Seasons retirement community in Dumfries. The lawsuit claims Jefferson acted in a “malicious and deliberate” attempt to stir opposition to the project.
Jefferson, who campaigned against locating data centers near homes and schools, declined to address the specifics of the lawsuit. In a statement, she emphasized her process in evaluating land-use applications.
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia taxpayers could see a little extra cash in their bank accounts this fall, thanks to a rebate announced by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Eligible residents who filed individually will receive up to $200, while joint filers can get up to $400. The rebates are part of a $9 billion tax relief package made possible by surplus state revenue.
Alex Kang from Woodbridge was one of 457 Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences students from five programs to receive their white coat during the university’s annual White Coat Ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
“As you don your white coat today, you assume not only the responsibilities, but also the obligation that attend to those who choose to provide care to other human beings,” said Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., president and CEO of DMU.
Stafford County Schools are equipped with multiple lockdown activation points that allow staff to immediately secure a campus in the event of a potential threat. When triggered, these points activate alarms throughout the school and simultaneously notify both Stafford Schools’ Safety and Security personnel and local law enforcement.
The activation was quickly confirmed by the on-duty School Resource Officer at Mountain View High School, who responded to the auxiliary gym after receiving unclear school radio traffic referencing that location. A large-scale law enforcement response followed, including members of the Stafford Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team who were still on duty after an unrelated earlier operation. Other law enforcement agencies with ties to the school also chose to respond to assist.
MANASSAS, Va. — To honor the legacy of the courthouse square and bring our community together, residents of all ages are invited to attend an afternoon of celebration at the first-ever Courthouse Fair on the Square from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Judicial Center, 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110.
Courthouse squares have long served as a symbolic heart of American counties. Their design and evolution reflect centuries of civic tradition, from colonial governance to modern community identity.
Early voting is underway across Virginia, and local election officials are beginning to report how many voters have already come through their doors.
We reached out to registrars in Prince William County, Stafford County, Fredericksburg City, Manassas City, and Manassas Park City for updates.
QUANTICO, Va. – A train blocked the only way in and out of the Town of Quantico on Wednesday morning, forcing Marine Corps officials to open a back gate that’s usually kept locked.
The train stopped at Potomac and Barnett Avenues, shutting down the sole everyday entrance to the town. Marine Corps Base Quantico said in a Facebook post that it opened Gate 3 on Broadway Avenue to let traffic flow while the crossing was blocked. The gate remained open until the train cleared, and officials later said traffic had “returned to normal.”
