STAFFORD, Va. – A fake water advisory notice found on residents’ doors in north Stafford has prompted concern and an investigation by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

County officials confirmed there is no water advisory in effect, and the posted notices are fraudulent. The bogus alerts appeared on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, and falsely claimed a water advisory was in place.

Stafford County Utilities responded quickly, urging customers to ignore the notices and reassuring them that official messages will only come via press releases, social media, or the county website. When necessary, real door hangers used by the county include the Stafford County logo and the Utilities Customer Service number.

The incident follows a real boil water advisory in Richmond, where thousands of residents were affected due to pressure loss at the city’s water treatment plant. That advisory ran from May 27 to May 29 and impacted several neighborhoods, including The Fan and Carytown.

While Richmond’s advisory was legitimate, Stafford officials clarified that there are no such issues locally. Investigators are looking into whether the fake notices in Stafford were meant to stir fear following media reports of Richmond’s situation.

“We take the posting of fake water advisories very seriously,” county officials said in a statement. “Residents who receive the notices are asked to call the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (540) 658-4400 to report the incident.”

So far, the fake notices have only been found in the north Stafford area.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center has launched a new virtual nursing program that’s already changing how nurses care for patients—and how patients experience care.

The hospital’s Virtual Registered Nursing (VRN) Program allows experienced nurses to connect with patients through 50-inch screens in hospital rooms, handling admissions, discharges, and patient education remotely. The goal: give bedside nurses more time to focus on hands-on care, while still ensuring patients get one-on-one attention.

“The virtual nurse can come into the room through the web camera and the large televisions that we put up,” said Brooke Phelps, Director of Nursing and Patient Care Services. “They can really spend that time with [patients] one-on-one to develop those relationships and improve that patient experience.”

The program, already rolled out at other Sentara hospitals, began at the Woodbridge-based center on May 13. In less than a week, staff completed 55 virtual nurse sessions, saving over nine hours of time for bedside nurses.

Chief Nursing Officer Christy Grabus described the VRN sessions as surprisingly personal.

“The one word [a patient] said that was just amazing to me was… ‘This was so personable,’” said Grabus. “There was no interruption, and I really felt like I was the center of attention.”

The system also allows caregivers to participate remotely, a feature that could be especially helpful for families who live far from the hospital.

“We can arrange it so when we schedule your education sessions, we can have your daughter actually link in… she doesn’t even have to physically come in,” said Grabus.

During a Potomac Local News Podcast interview, Grabus and Phelps shared how the technology not only improves care but also helps recruit and retain nursing talent by offering less physically demanding roles for experienced nurses.

“This is a very physically demanding job,” said Grabus. “Think about being able to still work… even though you may not be physically capable to be out there in a hospital setting.”

Watch the full conversation in the embedded Potomac Local News Podcast episode to hear more about how this innovation is reshaping healthcare in Northern Virginia.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Health officials have confirmed a raccoon found near the 7000 block of Stubbs Bridge Road in Spotsylvania County tested positive for rabies, according to the Rappahannock Area Health District.

Anyone who may have had contact with the animal is urged to seek medical care right away and contact the Spotsylvania County Health Department at 540-507-7386. Pet owners concerned their animal may have been exposed should call their veterinarian and contact either the Health Department or Spotsylvania County Animal Control at 540-507-7549.

Rabies is a fatal disease that attacks the nervous system and can affect any mammal, including humans. It spreads through the saliva or brain tissue of infected animals, typically through bites or by getting infected fluids into a wound, eyes, or mouth. Vaccination is the best protection for pets like dogs, cats, and ferrets.

Virginia law requires all dogs and cats aged four months and older to be vaccinated for rabies and to keep those vaccinations up to date. Health officials remind residents to:

• Avoid contact with wild or unfamiliar animals.
• Report animal bites or unusual behavior to Animal Control at 540-507-7549.
• Vaccinate pets and keep their shots current.
• Call a doctor or the health department if you are exposed, or contact a veterinarian and Animal Control if your pet is exposed.

For more information, visit the Rabies Fact Sheet or the Rappahannock Area Health District’s rabies control page.

As Memorial Day approaches, local officials are ramping up safety efforts at Lake Anna in response to last summer’s E. coli outbreak that left two dozen people sick—most of them children.

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DUMFRIES, Va. – Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood invited the community to join him for a workout event just days after the unexpected death of his younger brother, 37-year-old Darron Smith.

Smith passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 2, 2025. In a heartfelt message, Mayor Wood described his brother as someone born for greatness—sharing a birthday with Super Bowl legend Doug Williams—and a constant presence in his life. “We shared so many moments side by side—from family to food trucks to faith,” Wood wrote. “And now my heart is broken.”

Despite the grief, the mayor channeled his pain into purpose, encouraging residents to come together for an event he called Move with the Mayor, held Monday evening at Ginn Memorial Park. Due to severe storms in the area and widespread power outages, the event was moved indoors, but that didn’t stop the community from showing up to support and heal together.

The session featured workouts led by SOS Fit trainers Coach Freddy, Coach B, and Coach D. “Let’s move together. Let’s heal together,” Wood said in his invitation. “Whether you’re coming to sweat, breathe, or simply stand in solidarity—you belong here.”

The event took place at 7 p.m. at 3800 Graham Park Road.

Virginia health officials have confirmed the first measles case of 2025, reported in a child from the Northwest Region who had recently traveled internationally. Health officials are now working to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the disease, including individuals who visited two medical centers in Woodbridge and Fredericksburg.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) urges residents, particularly those in these areas, to check their vaccination status and seek the MMR vaccine if needed. Measles is highly contagious, but vaccination remains the best defense against the disease.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 19, 2025

Virginia Health Officials Confirm First 2025 Measles Case in the State

Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identify People Who Are at Risk

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting the state’s first measles case of the year. The patient is a child (0-4 years) in the Northwest Region who recently traveled internationally. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed.

“This first case of measles in Virginia this year is a reminder of how easily this highly contagious disease can spread, particularly with international travel,” said VDH State Epidemiologist Laurie Forlano, D.O., M.P.H. “Vaccination remains our best defense against measles and is safe and highly effective at protecting people and preventing outbreaks. We urge Virginians, especially those planning to travel, to check their vaccination status, talk to their health care provider, and get the MMR vaccine if needed.”

Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of potential exposure sites in Virginia:

Kaiser Permanente Caton Hill Medical Center, Advanced Urgent Care, located at 13285 Minnieville Road in Woodbridge on Tuesday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kaiser Permanente Fredericksburg Medical Center, Pediatrics Department, located at 1201 Hospital Drive in Fredericksburg on Wednesday, April 16 from noon to 5 p.m.
What should you do if you were at the above locations on the day and time specified?

If you have never received a measles-containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Watch for symptoms for 21 days after the date of your potential exposure. If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.

Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms.

If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.

If you have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve the highest level of protection, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to fourteen days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.

Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are very susceptible to infection if they are exposed to measles. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine.

To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request your vaccination records using the VDH Immunization Record Request Form. Virginia residents with additional questions about their potential exposure can email [email protected] or contact your local health department.

For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles

Residents of Prince William County and surrounding areas now have access to the latest in medical imaging technology, thanks to a major investment by UVA Prince William Medical Center. The hospital has introduced a new state-of-the-art MRI system that promises faster scan times, enhanced image quality, and an improved patient experience.

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The George Mason University Patriots women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 76-66 victory over the University of Massachusetts during the annual #Play4Kay Pink Game at EagleBank Arena on Sunday, February 16. The event, sponsored for the sixth consecutive year by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC), brought together fans, survivors, and medical professionals to raise awareness of women’s cancers and honor those affected by breast cancer.

A Victory Beyond the Scoreboard

With 2,679 fans in attendance, the energy inside EagleBank Arena was electric, as the Patriots not only continued their strong season—now boasting 20+ wins and a second-place standing in the Atlantic 10 Conference—but also played for a cause that extends far beyond basketball.

Before the game, Sentara’s Cancer Network Resource Center hosted a special reception to celebrate breast cancer survivors. Bernadette Soliday, one of the honorees, shared her powerful story of perseverance and support.

“An important thing that I learned through my journey is that there is an army of people behind you to get you through a cancer experience,” said Soliday. “It’s the doctors, the nurses, the nurse navigators, your family, your friends, and community groups that provide supplies and emotional support. I want to say thank you to all of them for standing by us during such a challenging time.”

Supporting Survivors Beyond the Game

Sentara’s Breast Cancer Nurse Navigation Program was critical in Soliday’s journey, guiding diagnosis through recovery. She credited the program for its continued support, even beyond active treatment, as she found solace in joining Sentara’s breast cancer support group.

“It’s a wonderfully diverse and supportive group of women,” Soliday shared. “We’ve all had different diagnoses and treatment paths, but we understand each other and share that support.”

The Sentara Cancer Network Resource Center provides a variety of resources and support for those diagnosed with cancer, their caregivers, and those seeking information about cancer prevention.

“We could not be prouder to be part of the national Play4Kay initiative to raise awareness of cancers affecting women and to honor brave cancer survivors at all points in their journeys,” said Jeff Joyner, president of SNVMC. “Our multidisciplinary team at the Sentara Northern Virginia Comprehensive Breast Center brings together experts and technology to create personalized care plans for each patient.”

The Pink Game is part of the national Play4Kay initiative, named after legendary Hall of Fame Coach Kay Yow. Yow, who battled breast cancer herself, envisioned Play4Kay as a way to unite communities in the fight against cancers affecting women. The initiative continues her legacy by bringing together players, coaches, officials, and fans to support a cause that transcends sports.

Sentara medical experts stress the importance of routine mammograms as one of the most effective methods for early breast cancer detection.