Health

Area hospitals are warning residents that a serious flu and respiratory illness surge is straining emergency departments across Northern Virginia, prompting health leaders to urge patients with mild to moderate symptoms to seek care outside hospital emergency rooms when possible.

Hospitals across Virginia and Northern Virginia are reporting a significant increase in flu and other respiratory illnesses, putting pressure on emergency departments and extending wait times for patients.


Stafford

Brooke Point High School senior TJ Wilkerson reached a major milestone Friday, January 9, 2025, scoring his 1,000th career point during a game in Stafford County.

According to TJ’s press agent, his doting mother, Wilkerson became just the second player in Brooke Point High School history to reach the 1,000-point mark. The milestone was achieved during Friday night’s game and was celebrated by the Brooke Point community.


Schools

The Education Freedom Tax Credit, also called the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), allows individuals and businesses to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit—up to $1,700—when donating to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These funds will provide scholarships to help families pay for private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, and other services beginning in 2027.

In his announcement, Youngkin emphasized the program’s potential to help students with the greatest needs and praised former President Trump and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for their support of education choice. Eight SGOs, including two Virginia-based organizations—Step Up, Virginia! and the Torah Education Scholarship Fund—have been approved to serve local students.


Stafford

A Stafford man was arrested early Wednesday morning after leading deputies on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash on I-95. The pursuit began when a deputy clocked the driver going 68 mph in a 45 mph zone near Warrenton Road and McLane Drive.

The driver, a 25-year-old man from Stafford, failed to stop and instead sped off, ultimately crashing near mile marker 130 on I-95 South. After the crash, deputies noted signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. A search uncovered two suspected controlled substances—one in the vehicle and one in the driver’s pocket.


Prince William

Dumfries will use a new $240,000 federal grant to improve sidewalk accessibility and make local streets safer for pedestrians. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the money through its Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which supports efforts to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.

Town officials say the funding will help launch a planning and feasibility project to assess sidewalk conditions throughout Dumfries. The goal is to create a Sidewalk Accessibility and Walkability Action Plan that identifies gaps in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and prioritizes areas for improvement.


Manassas

A Manassas man is facing multiple charges after allegedly firing at an occupied vehicle during a confrontation on Dumfries Road Sunday evening.

Police responded around 5:59 p.m. on January 4 to the 10299 block of Dumfries Road after reports of gunfire. Witnesses gave officers a suspect description, leading to the quick arrest of a 39-year-old man. He was found injured and taken to a hospital before being charged.


Traffic

“Alternating single and double lane closures at mile markers 107, 108, 110, and 115 for bridge inspections,” the Virginia Department of Transportation stated, referring to overnight work along Interstate 95 between Exit 104 (Carmel Church) and Exit 118 (Thornburg).

The weekly travel alert details multiple daytime and overnight lane closures across Caroline County, the City of Fredericksburg, and Stafford County. Work includes bridge inspections on I-95, maintenance on the Falmouth Bridge, utility work and road widening on Route 1, and guardrail and median improvements along Routes 3, 17, 17 Business, and Centreport Parkway. Most closures occur overnight or during off-peak daytime hours and are weather dependent.


Fredericksburg

On May 5, 1864, Horace Hill was killed near Chancellorsville while fighting Confederate forces with the 111th New York Volunteers, commanded by Lt. Reuben J. Myers.

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Prince William

A public educational forum in Woodbridge examined how soon Virginians could vote on a proposed reproductive freedom amendment, with panelists outlining scenarios that could place the measure on the ballot as early as April 2026.

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