Stafford - Page 8 of 53 - Potomac Local News

Storms Knock Out Power, Flood Roads, and Now a Heat Advisory is on the Way

Published July 17, 2025 at 7:22AM

Thousands lost power Wednesday night as severe thunderstorms rolled through Northern Virginia. As of 5:30 a.m. Thursday, about 850 NOVEC customers remained without electricity, down from a peak of 7,000. Reported outages include 79 in Prince William County, 63 in Stafford, 561 in Fauquier, and 136 in Loudoun. Dominion Energy reported 24 outages in Prince William and more than 500 in Fauquier.

At the same time, the National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning that remains in effect until 8:30 a.m. after heavy rainfall—up to 4.5 inches in some areas—caused creeks and streams to overflow. Roads in parts of Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket, Nokesville, and Gainesville were flooded, and emergency officials warn that some crossings remain impassable.

19-Year-Old Killed in Stafford Apartment Shooting; Fatal Crash Follows Hours Later

By Potomac Local News

Published July 16, 2025 at 3:54PM

STAFFORD, Va. – Two men are dead following separate but deadly incidents in Stafford County within just a few hours of each other—a fatal shooting late Tuesday night and a fatal crash early Wednesday morning.

The violence began just before 11 p.m. on July 15, when deputies responded to multiple 911 calls about gunfire at the England Run Apartments in South Stafford. There, they found a 19-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. First Sergeant M.L. Jacobeen, Deputy M.A. Holub, and Deputy S.M. Kotter provided immediate aid until medics arrived, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released.

Genesis Logistics Drivers Rally in Stafford, Demand Fair Pay and Union Contract

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 16, 2025 at 2:15PM | Updated July 17, 2025 at 8:10AM

STAFFORD, Va. – About 50 drivers gathered outside Genesis Logistics in Stafford County on Wednesday afternoon to demand better pay, safer working conditions, and progress on a long-awaited union contract.

Chanting “Who are we? Teamsters!” and holding signs reading “Craving Respect Not Convenience,” drivers rallied outside the second entrance of the warehouse on Bradburn Place. The demonstration, which began around 1 p.m., was organized by Teamsters Local 322 as a “practice picket” to pressure the company into finalizing a contract.

Man Killed After Car Flips Into Ditch on Route 3 in Stafford

By Potomac Local News

Published July 16, 2025 at 11:06AM | Updated July 16, 2025 at 3:56PM

STAFFORD, Va. – A man is dead after his car flipped into a ditch early this morning on Route 3 (Kings Highway), near River Bend Drive, about five miles west of Duff McDuff Memorial Park.

According to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene shortly after 3 a.m. and found a Honda Civic off the roadway. The car’s driver, a 32-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Man Hit by Truck Outside Stafford Fas Mart—Driver Took Off

By Potomac Local News

Published July 15, 2025 at 6:07PM

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – A man suffered minor injuries after being hit by a vehicle in the parking lot of the Fas Mart on Cambridge Street (Route 1) Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the convenience store at 620 Cambridge Street at 2:26 p.m. for a report of a pedestrian struck. The driver of the vehicle left the scene before authorities arrived.

Thinking About Teaching? School Divisions Still Have Openings as the First Day Nears

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 8, 2025 at 3:00PM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

STAFFORD, Va. – The window to become a new teacher in our area is closing, but school divisions are still hiring as the first day of the 2025–26 school year approaches.

In Stafford County, just over 120 licensed staff positions remained open as of late June. Of those, 98 are classroom teaching roles, while the rest include specialists like counselors. “Special education across all grades and elementary positions are our highest-need areas,” said Patrick Byrnett, the division’s Chief Talent Officer.

Passerby with Garden Hose Helps Slow House Fire on Erin Drive; 5 Dogs Rescued

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 7, 2025 at 9:09PM

STAFFORD, Va. – At 2:45 p.m., Stafford County Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to the 100 block of Erin Drive after several people reported flames coming from the back of a home. One of those passersby, a member of Stafford County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), jumped into action and used a garden hose to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Fire crews arrived within three minutes and confirmed active flames at the rear of a single-story, single-family home. As firefighters worked to put out the fire, they also rescued five dogs from inside the house. All five dogs were unharmed and did not require medical attention, according to Katie Brady, a fire and rescue spokeswoman.

Stafford County Orders Farm Stand Shut Down, Citing Zoning Rules

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 3, 2025 at 2:00PM

A farm stand sits near the intersection of Caroway Drive and Brooke Road in Falmouth, where Stefanie Hughes sells eggs, produce, and baked goods from her family’s five-acre property.

FALMOUTH, Va. – A Falmouth woman is pushing back against a county order to shut down a small farm stand on her property, saying the structure is part of a broader effort to preserve the agricultural lifestyle that once defined Stafford County.

Stefanie Hughes, a fifth-generation Stafford County resident, erected a 4-by-8-foot shed on her five-acre property on Brooke Road over Memorial Day weekend to sell eggs, herbal tea, compost, sunflowers, seasonal produce, and baked goods like blueberry scones. The makeshift wayside stand, built from leftover lumber, was up for just over a week when a cease-and-desist letter arrived in the mail on May 30.

Stafford Seeks Federal Grant to Boost Firefighter Staffing at Three Under-Resourced Stations

By Potomac Local News

Published July 3, 2025 at 8:30AM

Photo: Stafford County Fire and Rescue

STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County is applying for federal funding that would allow it to hire 12 new firefighters to staff one of its three understaffed fire stations.

Fire Chief Joe Cardello on Tuesday asked the Board of Supervisors to approve an application for the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant, a FEMA-administered program aimed at helping local governments expand emergency services. If awarded, the grant would cover most of the cost of hiring a dozen full-time firefighters for three years.

Stafford Sheriff Shares Safety Rules, Road Closures for July 4 Celebration at Pratt Park

By Potomac Local News

Published July 2, 2025 at 9:00AM

STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park.

The Star-Spangled 4th Spectacular is one of Stafford’s biggest annual traditions, featuring family-friendly activities, live music, food vendors, and a grand fireworks show to close out the night. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the fireworks will begin just before 10 p.m. The event is free and typically draws hundreds of people from across the region.