Originally moved to the fall during the pandemic, Stafford continues to hold this event in October, unlike other jurisdictions that celebrate in August.

The event will be held at Stafford Marketplace in North Stafford and provides an opportunity for neighbors to meet and connect outside. Registration opened on June 21. The opening ceremony will begin at 5 p.m., and the event is free to the public. Attendees are reminded to leave pets at home unless they are service animals and to refrain from smoking. Weather conditions are monitored, and updates will be provided on the sheriff’s Facebook and X accounts if necessary.


Dear Members,

We seek your insights on the ongoing challenges with the Stafford County Public Schools transportation system. As many of you know, the start of the school year was marked by significant bus scheduling issues, leaving 3,000 children without transportation, as reported in late August. This has continued with late buses and some that never showed, profoundly affecting students and families.


According to Major Shawn Kimmitz from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, the crash led to an immediate response from local rescue teams, who successfully extracted one person from the submerged vehicle. The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, is currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The conditions during the accident included rainfall, although it is still unclear whether speed played a role in the mishap. The intersection was partially closed to facilitate the rescue operation and to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.


So far this year, Stafford County reported the highest number of early ballots cast among the listed jurisdictions, with 4,682 votes, showing a significant increase from 2,779 in 2020.

Manassas saw a decrease in early voting numbers, with 2,652 ballots cast in 2024 compared to 3,051 in 2020. Prince William County also experienced a notable drop, with 1,022 early votes in 2024, down from 3,096 in the previous election cycle.


As Hurricane Helene intensifies and approaches Florida’s Big Bend with the potential to become a major Category 4 hurricane, swift water rescue teams from Virginia are mobilizing to assist with the expected impacts.

The Prince William County Swift Water Rescue Team, a FEMA Type 3 team comprising six technicians and a Battalion Chief, was activated by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and deployed to Norton, Virginia. They left at 10:00 AM today from the Prince William Public Safety Training Center, aiming to coordinate with local authorities and manage water rescues in hurricane flood waters.


Ashlee Waldbauer returns to the Riverside stage with a show-stealing performance as Carole King. Her rendition of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” melts the audience and reminds us why King’s music continues to resonate across generations. Waldbaur, who also starred in Riverside’s spring production of They’re Playing Our Song, showcases an ability to channel the emotional depth and vulnerability that made King’s music timeless.

Another Riverside veteran, Zachary Spafford, brings powerhouse vocals to his portrayal of characters like one of the Righteous Brothers, delivering a stunning performance of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” Audiences will remember Spafford from his standout role as Frankie Valli in Riverside’s acclaimed production of Jersey Boys earlier this year, and his talent for hitting those high notes remains an undeniable highlight of the show.


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