“Units are on scene of a structure fire in the 100 block of Paradise Court,” Stafford County Fire and Rescue posted. “Please avoid the area while crews work.”
Fire and rescue units were dispatched to the 100 block of Paradise Court, where firefighters are actively working at the scene of a structure fire. Officials have not released details on injuries or the extent of damage. Motorists and residents are advised to steer clear of the area to allow emergency crews to operate safely.
“Only two of our nine schools have met the new state designation of being On Track, however, most (with two key exceptions) also showed meaningful improvement, and if this pace continues, most of our schools will likely meet the On Track designation in a year or two,” Sara Brescia, Manassas City School Board wrote. “I will give you an earnest assessment that celebrates our areas of success, but also doesn’t sugarcoat our problems.”
“What happened at Round last year and what has been consistently plaguing Metz in student achievement is nothing less than an emergency, and it will take full-building pivots to get to where our students need us to go,” Brescia stated.
“More than 87,000 winning Powerball tickets were sold in Virginia for the Wednesday, December 17, drawing,” Virginia Lottery reported. “Five tickets in Virginia each won a $50,000 prize in that drawing.”
Since no ticket in Virginia or anywhere matched all six numbers in the December 17 Powerball drawing, the jackpot for the upcoming Saturday, December 20, drawing is now an estimated $1.5 billion. Virginia Lottery reported that winners came from locations including Smoketown Shell, 15550 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge; Tiger Market and Bakery, 3903 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria; and Safeway, 3043 Nutley Street, Fairfax. Virginia Lottery
On December 11, a resident in the 1000 block of Forest Village reported that someone had slashed the passenger-side tire of their vehicle. That same day, another victim in the 6600 block of River Road reported their wallet was stolen from their vehicle.
Fredericksburg Police also made multiple arrests this week. These included several for shoplifting—both misdemeanor and felony levels—as well as two public intoxication charges, assault and battery (including a domestic incident on a family member), and failure to comply with court orders.
“Today, we proudly celebrate the graduation of LE Basic Class 173 from the Rappahannock Regional Justice Academy,” Fredericksburg Police Department announced. “This milestone represents months of dedication, discipline, and hard work, and the beginning of a meaningful journey in law enforcement.”
“As these graduates take the oath and begin their careers with the Fredericksburg Police Department, we wish them long, successful, and fulfilling careers serving the City of Fredericksburg with integrity, professionalism, and pride.”
“Growth completely masked achievement realities,” Virginia Scope reported, quoting Virginia Superintendent of Public Education Emily Anne Gullickson during a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission meeting. “That’s limited our ability to really deliver the right support to meet individual students’ needs.”
“We want to make sure that students are making annual progress, that they are moving and that students are getting towards grade level or exceeding the grade level,” Gullickson said. “But growth cannot be more important than ensuring that students are truly prepared on the grade level content and are able to succeed and prosper upon graduation.”
“The words ‘thank you’ seem insufficient,” Prince William Times reported, quoting Gov. Glenn Youngkin at Tuesday’s grand opening. “For the sacrifices that each of you have made in order to preserve the freedoms and the liberties that we hold dear, that oftentimes we take for granted.”
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Gov. Glenn Youngkin presented his final proposed biennial budget to Virginia lawmakers during a joint meeting of House and Senate budget committees, pointing to strong revenue growth and what he described as room to fund core services while continuing tax relief.
The proposal includes $730 million in tax relief without new or increased taxes, increased funding for Medicaid and public education, and nearly $2 billion for capital projects. Democrats control both chambers of the General Assembly, and Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger will ultimately sign the budget lawmakers adopt before it takes effect July 1.
