Stafford
From the Stafford County Sheriff’s Department:
A 27-year-old Woodbridge man who “stalled” his arrest with a bathroom barricade, was enticed out after a dose of pepper spray potpourri. Spoiler alert- you won’t find this scent at Bath & Body Works. Deputies responded to Stafford Market Place for a disturbance with a weapon.
A fire displaced four residents from their home on Tamar Creek Lane. Just before 8 a.m., Stafford County Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a structure fire in the 100 block of the street.
Crews arrived on the scene within five minutes and observed smoke emanating from the rear of a middle-row townhouse’s top floor. Upon further investigation, firefighters discovered a room ablaze on the top floor and quickly controlled the fire. The blaze was primarily confined to that room and its contents.
A proposal to grant Stafford County employees additional holiday time around Thanksgiving and Christmas led to a heated debate among members of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors at their recent meeting. The proposal, which would give employees an additional four hours off before each holiday — effectively turning them into full days off — failed in a 3-3 tie, with one board member absent. The issue is set to be revisited at the next board meeting.
Supporters of the proposal argue that granting these extra hours shows appreciation for county employees and would boost morale. “Our employees work incredibly hard throughout the year, and this is a small gesture of thanks that can go a long way in showing them we value their efforts,” said Aquia Supervisor Monica Gary. “Taking care of our staff helps us retain talented people and makes Stafford County a more attractive place to work.”
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His Democratic opponent, Eugene Vindman, claimed victory on Election Night, securing 50.94% of the vote in Prince William County compared to Anderson’s 48.79%. Prince William, the district’s most populous jurisdiction, played a crucial role in the outcome.
Anderson’s campaign focused heavily on voter outreach across the district, particularly in Prince William County. He noted his efforts to connect with voters in the area, saying his team “did well in Prince William” by visiting locations like Todos and other local businesses to address issues such as rising electricity costs. His strategy resonated strongly in precincts like Colgan and Quantico, where he led with 54.90% and 54.70% of the vote, respectively.
Updated 11:52 p.m — In a tightly contested race, Eugene Vindman emerged victorious over Republican Derrick M. Anderson in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, securing a seat that will keep the district under Democratic control. Vindman’s win fills the seat previously held by Abigail Spanberger, who chose not to seek re-election and is widely speculated to be considering a run for Virginia governor in 2025.
However, Anderson has not conceded the race. “The media calling the #VA07 race before all votes have been reported is premature. This is still too close to call,” Anderson posted to X. “Over ten thousand votes – including Election Day votes, early votes, & mail-in votes – are yet to be reported. This race & the voters deserve more time.”
In Stafford County, the 2024 presidential election results indicate a tightening race compared to the 2020 election, with former President Donald Trump (R) making substantial gains against Democratic candidate Kamala D. Harris (D). With all 37 precincts reporting, this shift reflects a broader trend of narrowing Democratic leads in the area, as Trump managed to close the margin since the last presidential race.
In the 2020 election, Democratic candidate Joe Biden received 40,245 votes (52.5%) in Stafford County, compared to Trump’s 37,636 votes (48.5%), giving Democrats a lead of 2,609 votes. This year, Kamala Harris secured 39,616 votes (49.19%), just edging out Trump, who garnered 39,331 votes (48.83%). This reduction in the margin between Democrats and Republicans, down to a mere 285 votes, demonstrates the former president’s influence and his ability to mobilize voters in the region, even in a year where Democrats maintain a slight overall lead.
— Stafford Schools (@SCPSchools) November 1, 2024
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced emergency measures on the Route 1 bridge over the Rappahannock River, commonly known as the Falmouth Bridge between Fredericksburg and Stafford County, as crews begin urgent structural repairs.
Starting last night, Friday, November 1, 2024, new vehicle weight limits of 16 tons for single-unit vehicles and 24 tons for tractor-trailers will be enforced, and the northbound right lane will be closed. These actions follow recent inspections revealing accelerated deterioration of the bridge’s structural steel in several areas, prompting VDOT to reduce traffic flow as a safety measure.