Occoquan, Va. — The ghosts of Christmas were alive and about in Occoquan on Friday night.
A crowd of about 150 outside stood outside town hall on Mill Street for the annual lighting of the town’s Christmas tree. They helped to countdown from five the seconds until the button was pushed to light the tree.
The crash happened at 3:25 p.m. Sunday at mile post 154 in Prince William County, near the truck weigh stations, as the trooper had stopped on the left shoulder to help the occupants of a wrecked Hyundai. As the trooper was stepping out of his marked patrol car, a 2004 Lexus sedan veered out of the left lane and hit the car pushing it 20 feet forward into the Hyundai. As a result of the impact, the driver’s side door closed on the leg of Trooper B.J. Norris, said VSP spokeswoman Corinne Geller. Norris was treated at the scene for his injury.
Prior to hitting Norris’s police cruiser, the Lexus also hit another state police cruiser that was on the scene to help with the initial crash. The driver of the Lexus sideswiped the first cruiser and went onto collide with Norris’ car, said Geller.
Stafford, VA – An event to celebrate the return to Stafford of a 220-year-old Stafford court ledger by a public library in New Jersey will be held on December 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Stafford County Courthouse, 1300 Courthouse Road. The ledger – an “order book” transcribed in 1791 that describes the activities of the Stafford County Court from 1749 through 1758 – is believed to have been removed from the Stafford Courthouse by a Union soldier during the Civil War.
“To get back something of such historical importance nearly 150 years after it was taken is incredible,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Dudenhefer. “It will be of great value to anyone interested in Stafford’s and Virginia’s colonial and legal history and we’re thrilled to have it back.”
Stafford County, Va. — Animals will be welcomed Sunday to Spotsylvania Towne Centre as the Stafford County SPCA will hold pet photos with Santa.
The event begins at 6 p.m., and along with Santa photos the agency will also have special angel trees with ornaments that can be “adopted” for the charity. All pets must be on a leash or in a pet carrying container, according to Stafford SPCA spokeswoman Sarah Ritchie.
Woodbridge, Va. — More than two months after flood waters ravaged a Woodbridge neighborhood, and after federal assistance was once denied, victims can now breathe a sigh of relief.
Gov. Robert F. McDonnell said late Thursday the Federal Emergency Management Agency reversed a previous decision and approved federal disaster funds for Prince William County, which can then be distributed to the flood victims in the Holly Acres Mobile Home Park off U.S. 1. Prince William was one of eight counties to get federal assistance, including Fairfax, King George and Westmoreland counties, after Tropical Storm Lee brought flooding rains to the region Sept. 8 and 9.
Occoquan, Va. –– The tree is decorated, and small businesses and the mayor ready to welcome guests to Occoquan for the annual lighting of the town’s Christmas Tree.
Occoquan’s Business Guild will sponsor its annual holiday open house from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, giving the chance for visitors to see the town and its stores decorated for the holiday season, according to Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta.
By KJ Mushung
Dumfries, Va. — The Dumfries Town Council appointed Vice Mayor Nancy West as Interim Mayor of Dumfries in a closed session Tuesday night. In the same resolution, council members also appointed Councilman Willie J. Toney as Interim Vice Mayor and town citizen Gwendolyn Washington as a councilmember. The move follows the Nov. 6 death of Mayor Fred Yohey Jr.
JoJo’s Ice Cream in Dumfries just closed for its regular season this past weekend, but cryptic a message posted to their Facebook page Tuesday night had many fans wondering just what was happening.
“JO JO 4 sale…….what!” stated the business’ Facebook page.
A new $400,000 facility will be built on the first floor of the county’s administration center in Stafford, next to the courthouse, and its staff will be charged with speeding up the process of getting planning, zoning permits for residents and business owners.
“We are streamlining government and modernizing this area. Our staff will work with each individual applicant on their project and help them navigate the permit process. This new atmosphere, combined with our customer service philosophy to provide quick and friendly service, will improve the overall experience that people have with our local government,” said Stafford Falmouth Supervisor Susan Stimpson.
WASHINGTON – Offices in Fairfax and Prince William Counties are scheduled to open Wednesday for homeowners, renters, and business in Northern Virginia impacted by Tropical Storm Lee to apply for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Congressman Connolly said Tuesday.
Connolly said the two offices will be open from 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays from November 16 through November 22.
