Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington adoption services experienced a dramatic increase in the number of new families beginning pre-placement training to open their homes to children waiting to be adopted.

The organization saw 20 new families begin the program in the last six months, compared to seven during the same timeframe the previous year. The organization assisted in more than 100 adoptions overall last year, providing critical pre-placement, placement and post-placement assistance to families in crisis and potential adoptive and foster parents.


A new traffic pattern is scheduled to go into effect on Monday, Feb. 1, on Route 17 Business in Stafford County at Route 1580 (Olde Forge Drive) and Route 1034 (Short Street), which is immediately east of the Exit 133 interchange of Interstate 95.

On Thursday, Jan. 28, a new traffic signal will be activated at the intersection of Route 17 and Olde Forge Drive. The new traffic signal was funded and installed under permit as part of private development.


Jessennia Marisol Cruz, 27, of Manasas, VA, passed away suddenly after a prolonged illness. Her family is heartbroken and deeply saddened by the loss of such a beautiful, vibrant and loving member of the family.

Jessennia was born on March 26, 1993, to Maria Katherine Tressler and Eugenio Cruz in Manassas VA. Jessennia was an intelligent and loving individual who dedicated her life to her children. She was an advocate for children with…


The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce our agency has been certified in meeting the use of force standards outlined in the Executive Order on Safe Policing (E.O. 13929).

The Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) has reviewed the Sheriff’s Office’s policies on use of force and certified the policies adhere to all federal, state, and local laws as well as ban the use of chokeholds except in deadly force situations.


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The investigation into the officer-involved shooting which occurred on January 17 at 1130 International Parkway has been completed.

The investigation was conducted by detectives with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. The completed investigation was subsequently turned over to the Stafford County Commonwealth’s Attorney for review. The Commonwealth’s Attorney was provided all the evidence collected, including witness statements, forensic evidence, and audio and video recordings.


Although the jackpot-winning ticket in the January 22 Mega Millions drawing was not bought in Virginia, the Commonwealth benefitted from all the excitement.

During the 37 drawings of the jackpot run that began in September and ended with Friday night’s drawing, sales of Mega Millions tickets in Virginia generated an estimated $29.1 million in profit. By law, all of that profit goes to K-12 public education in the Commonwealth.


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