Prince William

The 3-D Program will run during the holiday season starting Thanksgiving and go through the New Year’s weekend. The Sheriff’s Office will be setting up checkpoints on various roads in Stafford County looking for individuals who are driving in an impaired state.

“The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is committed to helping ensure that citizens have a safe and happy holiday season,” states Sheriff Charles Jett. “Drunk or drugged drivers not only impact their own well being but are also a very real danger to innocent, law abiding citizens. We want to stop these drunk or drugged drivers before they harm themselves or others.”

North Stafford, Va. – It may be cold outside but it doesn’t mean the fields at Smith Lake Park will be used less.

The park in North Stafford has two popular synthetic turf fields primarily used by the Stafford Area Soccer Association, one with field lights and one without. Recently, the association during winter months used the fields less often, partially because of the season change, but also because they had to pay the same field use fees, Stafford parks officials said.

North Stafford, Va. — A technology and research park eyed for North Stafford took another leap forward this week after county officials approved money to find floor space and identified funds to market the yet-to-be opened facility.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 15 approved $237,000 for which the Board’s committee on Community and Economic Development and will use to find a space for the long-talked about center and to brand the facility, said Stafford spokeswoman Cathy Vollbrecht.

Officials said the high bond rating comes as the county has worked hard to save tax payers money.

“This is truly an exciting accomplishment, especially when you consider the serious economic challenges this nation has faced over the last few years,” said Stafford Rock Hill District Supervisor Cord Sterling. “But we stayed focused on our goal of being responsible and accountable to our citizens, streamlined government and cut taxes, and prioritized funding for our core needs such as public safety, schools and infrastructure. This strict fiscal discipline continues to help us outpace other communities in Virginia. We had to make some tough decisions to put County finances in order.”

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.