Stafford

Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Daniel W. Smith has announced plans to host a series of meet-and-greet sessions across the county, allowing families to connect with him and share their educational perspectives.

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News

Officers responded to the scene at 1:39 a.m. and found an 18-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his lower body lying near a vehicle in the parking lot. The victim was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators determined the incident likely began during an altercation inside a nearby home, where police found a shell casing and marijuana, according to a press release. The victim has not provided information to detectives, and police do not believe the shooting was random, police said.

Detectives have obtained arrest warrants for Andrews, who is charged with aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is described as a Black male, 6 feet tall, weighing 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. A photo from July 2024 has been provided.


Manassas Park

The City of Manassas Park has two terms expiring. Manassas Park School Board term expires June 30, 2026.

? The City of Manassas Park has two terms expiring. Manassas Park School Board term expiring June 30, 2026. Interim appointment Manassas Park Governing Body due to Alanna Mensing winning seat as Mayor. Resumes accepted until 4pm on January 7, 2025. https://t.co/9Gfsk9Ubhz pic.twitter.com/jF9oDymMTL


Event

Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for the World of Travel Show 2027 on Saturday, February 6, 2027, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in The BlackBox at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown.

Meet representatives from 13 respected travel brands covering family and adults-only cruises, premium and luxury ocean voyages, European river cruises, expedition and Galápagos adventures, small-ship sailing, guided land tours, and customized vacations.


Virginia

Local families may have noticed an increase in children being diagnosed with pneumonia this fall. Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed the increase in November with a statement noting Emergency Room visits with a pneumonia diagnosis tripled the week of November 10-17 compared to the prior two years.

Additionally, a number of public schools have reported clusters of students with pneumonia and unspecified respiratory illnesses to VDH. 


Breaking News

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to report suspicious drone activity after reports of unidentified drones flying over parts of Stafford County, King George County, and Spotsylvania County. The nighttime sightings, reported on December 11, 2024, were made to Stafford’s emergency dispatch center.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ryan Wilbur stated that federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have been informed and are working with local authorities to investigate the incidents. However, descriptions of the drones or their operators have not been provided.


News

Michael Carter, a plumbing teacher at Woodbridge’s Gar-Field High School, was recently named the 2024 Plumbing Instructor of the Year by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC).

PHCC was founded in 1883 and has more than 125 state and local affiliates across the country. In Virginia, there is one state association and two local, one of which is based in Northern Virginia.


Business

A family of handmade snowmen, a tree luminary, and hand-sculpted ornaments: Corgi Clay Art Center’s classes this month are focusing on the holidays. Corgi Clay has classes available for a wide range of ages and abilities, from teens learning to spin clay for the first time to advanced sculptors learning detailed techniques. Owner Deb Balestreri said the center is “Stafford County’s first vibrant, creative community that offers ceramics and other art classes, firing services, artist residencies, teaching and exhibition opportunities, and memberships for potters.”

Balestreri, a University of Mary Washington alum, opened Corgi Clay in 2020 after serving as the Director of Visual Arts Education at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. The center is hosting a holiday marketplace through January, featuring unique artwork, apparel, pottery, and more.


News

The internship is an eight-week-long program for students enrolled in higher education institutions and are interested in local government. According to a county press release, the program provides students the opportunity to go through training, mentoring, networking with executive leadership, field excursions, short-term projects and hands-on experience. The program will run from May 27 through July 18.

“Public service is one of the most meaningful ways to make a lasting impact on the lives of others, and our internship program is an incredible opportunity for students to step into that role,” County Executive Chris Shorter said. “This program is about more than just gaining experience; it’s about inspiring the next generation of public servants who will shape our communities and lead us into the future.”