Be on the lookout for these lane closures in our region this week.
VDOT tells us:
I-95 Southbound
Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 133 (Route 17)
Tuesday – Thursday, 10 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday, 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Friday. Double lane closures between these interchanges for Improve95 project construction, with single lane closures only after 4:30 a.m.
Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) to Exit 118 (Thornburg)
Tuesday 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. At mile marker 125, near the Route 17 overpass, motorists can expect a single lane closure at 10 p.m. Tuesday, with double lane closures at 11 p.m. through 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. Between midnight and 3 a.m. Wednesday all southbound traffic may be stopped for up to 30 minutes to move a construction crane across the travel lanes. Virginia State Police will provide traffic control support.
Wednesday – Thursday, 9:30 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure near the Route 17 overpass at mile marker 125
I-95 Northbound
Exit 104 (Carmel Church) to Exit 110 (Ladysmith)
Tuesday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Mobile operation with double lane closures for milling and paving the travel lanes at mile markers 106 to 108.
I-95 Northbound Safety Rest Area at Ladysmith
Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. The I-95 Northbound Safety Rest Area at Ladysmith will be closed overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to allow crews to pave the rest area’s ramps and merge areas.
Exit 110 (Ladysmith) to Exit 118 (Thornburg)
Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure near mile marker 116 for guardrail repair.
Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) to Exit 130 (Route 3)
Tuesday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. All northbound travel lanes will remain open, but stay alert for shoulder closures between mile markers 126-129 as crews begin construction for installation of the I-95 northbound variable speed limit initiative.
Exit 133 (Route 17) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway)
Tuesday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road to Exit 148 (Quantico)
Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Stafford County
Route 1 Southbound
Tuesday, noon – 3 p.m. and Wednesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – noon. Single southbound lane closure for Potomac Creek bridge replacement, between Potomac Creek Lane and Centreport Parkway intersection.
Route 17 Northbound
Wednesday – Thursday, 8 p.m. – 7 a.m. Single lane closure between I-95 and the Sanford Drive and South Gateway Drive intersection for Improve95 project construction.
Wednesday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Single, mobile lane closures on Route 17 northbound between Hartwood Church Road and the Fauquier County line. Drivers may experience a temporary rough driving surface until crews apply new asphalt to the milled surface.
Tuesday – Saturday, 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. Mobile single lane closures between Stafford Lakes Parkway and the Fauquier County line for paving and pavement marking.
Route 17 Southbound
Wednesday – Thursday, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. Single lane closure between the Sanford Drive and South Gateway Drive intersection and I-95 for Improve95 projects construction.
Route 607 (River Road)
Tuesday, noon – 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The eastbound lane of River Road will be closed from Gordon Street to Route 3 Business. Crews will be paving in connection with the Chatham Bridge rehabilitation project. The westbound lane of River Road, carrying traffic from Route 3 Business to Gordon Street, will remain open.
Route 615 (Skyline Drive)
Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Single lane closures for milling and paving.
Route 1361 (Deep Run Road)
Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Single lane closures for milling and paving.
Countywide Line Striping
Tuesday – Friday, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. Mobile operation with alternating single lane closures or flagging operations on various primary and secondary routes in Stafford. Expect periodic delays in the mobile work zone for line striping. Motorists are encouraged to avoid crossing over freshly painted lines. The paint will be wet and may adhere to vehicle.
City of Fredericksburg
Sophia Street
Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Be alert for periodic traffic stops between William Street and Sophia Street, with direction from a flagging crew. Crews will be paving in connection with the Chatham Bridge rehabilitation project.
Two teenagers were shot outside a Prince William County High School following a fight they had nothing to do with.
Two teens were shot on Friday, August September 27 outside Freedom High School while a football game was taking place inside the school’s stadium. The boy shot in his lower body, and the girl shot in her foot is expected to recover.
Now, police arrested a teenage suspect in the case, and he’s awaiting extradition to Virginia.
Prince William police tell us:
Aggravated Malicious Wounding *ARREST – During the investigation into the shooting that was reported to have occurred at Freedom High School located at 15201 Neabsco Mills Rd in Woodbridge (22191) on August 27, detectives with Violent Crimes Bureau have identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male juvenile.
The investigation revealed that two groups of individuals were involved in a fight that occurred in the parking lot of the school. During the altercation, one group, which included the suspect, demanded, and then took money from those in the other group.
At one point, the suspect brandished a firearm and shot into a nearby crowd, striking one victim in lower body and grazing another in the foot. Neither victim was involved in the original altercation. Following the investigation, detectives obtained juvenile petitions against the suspect who was subsequently located and arrested on September 3 by members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in North Carolina where he will remain in-custody until extradited to Virginia.
Arrested on September 3: [Juvenile]
A 17-year-old male juvenile of Woodbridge
Charged with 1 count of aggravated malicious wounding, 1 count of attempted aggravated malicious wounding, 2 counts of the use of a firearm in commission of a felony, 1 count of robbery, 1 count of discharging a firearm in a public place, and 1 count of assault by mob
Court Date: Pending | Status: Awaiting Extradition
Amazon has expanded into Stafford County with a new 200,000 square foot facility at 25 Strategy Drive, near the county's regional airport.
The new center, what Amazon calls a delivery station, will create 100 full and part-time jobs in addition, and the company says hundreds of more driver opportunities for delivery drivers.Â
These types of delivery stations are the last mile of Amazon's order process. Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighboring Amazon fulfillment centers, loaded into delivery vans, and delivered to customers.Â
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The Virginia Department of Veteran Affairs will open a new care center for veterans in Fauquier County next year.
The new clinic, which is currently near the end of its construction phase, is being built on the former Vint Hill Farm Property. In 2017, state officials told us construction was set to begin.
The clinic, which will be known as the Puller Veterans Care Center, is one of two new locations being built by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. The second will be located in Virginia Beach and will be known as the Jones and Cabocoy Veterans Care Center.
Both locations were chosen because of large veterans populations living nearby. The Fauquier clinic sits 13 miles from Manassas, which also has a large concentration of veterans.
The new centers are being built on property that was donated to the commonwealth for the purpose of creating these clinics. They will operate as long-term care facilities which will offer in-patient nursing care, Alzheimer's and memory care, as well as short-term rehabilitation care for veterans.
The centers will include amenities such as private rooms with bathrooms, a beauty and barbershop, a pharmacy, activity rooms and lounges, a library, and a game room.
"With the addition of the two new veterans care centers, VDVS will have centers nearby most veterans throughout the state," says Jeb Hockman, VDVH spokesman. "Nothing is more important than paying back our veterans for their unselfish service to protecting our freedoms."
The Puller Center is named for the Puller Family whose members have served with distinction in the U.S. Armed Services. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller saw action as a Marine in Central America, World War II, and in the Korean War before retiring in 1955. Gen. Puller is only one of two men to receive the Navy Cross a record five times which among other accolades makes him one of the most decorated soldiers in Marine history.
His son, Lt. Lewis B. Pulley Jr., also served with distinction in Vietnam in 1968 where he was awarded the Purple Heart for saving his platoon after he set off a trap which caused him to lose both legs, his left hand, and several fingers on his right hand.
Toddy Puller, who served in the Virginia General Assembly from 1992 to 2016 and was married to Lewis Puller, pushed for the new veterans care facility in Northern Virginia. When she retired, she represented portions of Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford counties in the Virginia Senate.Â
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In less than two weeks, citizens across the U.S. will mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Virginia's Standard of Learning requires educators to teach about the events of September 11, 2001. On August 18, the state's Department of Education invited Dr. Amaarah DeCuir, from the American University School of Education to provide tips on creating lesson plans for the day.
DeCuir suggested teachers focus largely on the racism many Muslims experienced during the days and weeks after the terrorist attacks. "Teaching about 9/11 is not simply teaching what happened on September 11, 2001, but teaching about the political and social environment that preceded that day," said DeCuir.
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The Vulcan Quarry in Stafford is seeking to rezone three parcels from A-1 agricultural to M-2 heavy industrial for expansion of mining operations adjacent to Eastern View and other subdivisions and residential areas in North Stafford.
They’re also seeking a conditional use permit to build a concrete plant on existing wetlands in a flood plain in another section of the property.
The environmental effects of these proposals (cutting down mature trees, disturbing wetlands and wildlife corridors and the like) are enormous, and the effects on the residents even more so (increased noise and damaging vibration from blasting and mining, toxic dust from the concrete plant, increased truck traffic onto an already busy and dangerous Route 610, reduction in property values).
One of the parcels intended for mining expansion is the Pollard Tract, which in its original purchase proffer in 1988 was stipulated never to be used for mineral extraction but rather serve as a storage area and buffer.
Vulcan Quarry was established in 1976 when relatively few people lived in the area. The population of the county has more than quadrupled in that time.
It is time for the government of Stafford County to place the physical health and mental well-being of its citizens above the corporate bottom line.
After an exhaustive assessment, the County Planning Commission has voted to recommend denying the rezoning and conditional use permit applications. The Commission cited the Quarry ”Moving the Goalposts” i.e. bringing their operations closer to residents as opposed to the other way around, as well as the importance of taking into account the needs of the citizens who pay the taxes.
The Stafford Board of Supervisors needs to listen to its constituents and deny both requests as well.
Detectives tied an Idaho man suspected in robberies in Pennsylvania and Ohio to an armed robbery in Stafford County.
In April, two women working at a Dominoes Pizza in Stafford County were grouped after a robber forced them into a walk-in refrigerator at gunpoint, authorities said.
An Idaho man is now in custody, charged with robbery and abduction with intent to defile.
The Stafford sheriff’s office tells us:
On April 24, 2021 at 12:18 a.m., deputies responded to the Domino’s at 91 Washington Square Plaza for a report of a robbery. The investigation revealed a male suspect approached a delivery driver outside the rear of the business. The suspect brandished a firearm, forcing the driver to open the back door. Once inside, he encountered two female employees. A second delivery driver later returned to the business while the suspect was still on scene.
During the encounter, the suspect demanded the employees hand over their cell phones. The suspect then ordered the employees into the refrigerator where they were held while he stole cash from the register and safe. He also used a knife in his possession to cut the store’s phone lines.
Later, the suspect removed the two females from the refrigerator and ordered them to a back room where he groped them. They were returned to the refrigerator and the suspect fled the business on foot. It was later discovered the suspect had stolen one of the female victim’s driver’s license from her purse.
The investigation was assigned to Detective N.D. Ridings who connected the suspect to the April 18th robbery of the 7-Eleven at 25 Solomon Drive. During the robbery, the suspect brandished a firearm and demanded money from the register. The clerk complied and the suspect fled the scene.
Last week, Detective Ridings was notified by investigators that the victim’s driver’s license was found in the possession of a male who was arrested after fleeing a traffic stop in Indiana.
The suspect, Miambo Maombi, 21, of Boise, Idaho, was discovered to be the suspect in numerous robberies in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Detective Ridings traveled to Ohio and interviewed Maombi who is currently incarcerated there on robbery charges. In that interview, he uncovered information connecting Maombi to the Domino’s and 7-Eleven robberies in Stafford County as well as two additional robberies in the region.
In connection with the Domino’s robbery, Maombi is charged with four counts of robbery, four counts of abduction, two counts of abduction with intent to defile, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and use of a firearm in the commission of a robbery. He is also charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a robbery in the 7-Eleven case. Warrant service and extradition are pending.
Shooting Investigation – On August 26 at 6:40PM, officers responded to the 1600 block of Florida Ave. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a shooting. The investigation revealed that the victim, a 19-year-old man, was driving on Maryland Ave. when he observed a man in the roadway walking towards him.
As the victim continued to drive, he observed the man brandish a firearm before firing multiple rounds. The victim’s vehicle was struck with multiple rounds before he was able to leave the area. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries from the shattered glass of the vehicle and drove to a local hospital for treatment. No additional injuries or property damage were reported.
Detectives with the Violent Crimes Bureau are actively investigating the incident to determine what led up to the shooting. This incident does not appear to be random. Detectives continue to seek assistance from any witness to the incident. The investigation continues.
Brandishing | Road Rage Related – On August 25 at 1:00PM, officers responded to the area of Gordon Blvd. and Devils Reach Rd. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a brandishing. The victim, a 35-year-old man, reported to police that he and the driver of a white box truck turned off I-95 onto Gordon Blvd. at approximately the same time.
While both vehicles were stopped at the above intersection, the driver of the box truck brandished a firearm towards the victim. The driver of the box truck turned left onto Devils Reach Way while the victim continued to his destination, where he contacted the police. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported.
Suspect Description:
A black male, approximately 30 years of age, with a full beard and mustache
Indecent Exposure – On August 26 at 9:15AM, officers responded to the Walmart located at 9401 Liberia Ave. in Manassas (20109) to investigate an indecent exposure. The victim, a 29-year-old woman, reported to police that while shopping, she observed an unknown man
near her. A short time later, man had gotten closer to her while exposing himself and making inappropriate gestures. The victim confronted the suspect who immediately walked away. The victim pursued the suspect for a short distance while inside the store and then contacted store security. The suspect fled the area prior to police arriving at the location. At no point was there any physical contact between the victim and the suspect.
Suspect Description:
A white male, between 25-35 years of age, approximately 6’00”, between 155-165 lbs., with a thin build, light brown hair, and a goatee with mustache
Last seen wearing a black baseball style cap, a black tank top, dark grey sweatpants, black socks, brown fuzzy sneakers, and a silver watch
Malicious Wounding on a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] – On August 24 at 9:21PM, officers responded to the intersection of Jefferson Davis Hwy. and Rosedale Ct. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a two vehicle crash. Upon arriving at the location, officers observed a man suffering from injuries and identified him as the driver of one of
the vehicles.
Hunter
The man, later identified as the accused, was treated at the scene by rescue personnel. While officers were interviewing the accused, they determined he was under the influence of alcohol. When officers attempted to detain the accused, he actively resisted and refused to follow officers commands.
A struggle ensued where the accused pushed, pulled, and struck officers while attempting to flee. At one point, the accused elbowed an officer breaking his nose. Eventually, officers took the accused into custody without further incident.
Two officers received medical treatment at a local hospital while the other officers reported minor injuries. The investigation into the crash revealed that while near the above intersection, the accused rear-ended another vehicle. During the investigation, officers also determined that the accused was driving without a valid license. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Justin Lamar HUNTER, was arrested.
Arrested on August 24:
Justin Lamar HUNTER, 29, of 1376 E. Longview Dr. in Woodbridge
Charged with 1 count of malicious wounding on LEO, 3 counts of assault & battery on LEO, 1 count of DUI, 1 count of unreasonable refusal, 1 count of obstruction of justice, and 1 count of driving without a valid license
Court Date: October 5, 2021 | Bond: Unavailable
Exit 148 (Quantico) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway)
Monday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Mobile, single southbound lane closures between these interchanges in Stafford County on Monday evening for overhead sign inspections.
Exit 148 (Quantico) to Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road)
Tuesday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 133 (Route 17)
Tuesday – Thursday, 10 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday, 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Friday. Double lane closures between these interchanges for Improve95 project construction, with single lane closures only after 4:30 a.m.
I-95 Northbound
Exit 104 (Carmel Church) to Exit 110 (Ladysmith)
Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Mobile operation with double lane closures for milling and paving the travel lanes at mile markers 106 to 108.
I-95 Northbound Safety Rest Area at Ladysmith
Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. The I-95 Northbound Safety Rest Area at Ladysmith will be closed overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to allow crews to pave the rest area’s ramps and merge areas.
Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) to Exit 130 (Route 3)
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. All northbound travel lanes will remain open, but stay alert for shoulder closures between mile markers 127-129 as crews begin construction for installation of the I-95 northbound variable speed limit initiative.
Exit 133 (Route 17) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway)
Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 148 (Quantico)
Tuesday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Mobile, single lane closures between these interchanges for overhead sign inspections.
Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road to Exit 148 (Quantico)
Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure between interchanges for Improve95 project construction.
Stafford County
Route 1 at Austin Run
Sunday, 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. Brief traffic stops of 10- to 15-minute intervals for load testing for Route 1 northbound and southbound bridges over Austin Run in Stafford County, immediately north of the Bells Hill Road/Coal Landing Road intersection.
Route 1 at Tank Creek
Wednesday, 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. Brief traffic stops of 10- to 15-minute intervals for load testing for Route 1 northbound and southbound bridges over Tank Creek, less than one mile from the Prince William County line.
Route 3 Business
Monday 6 a.m. – noon Friday. Single lane closure on Route 3 eastbound between Cool Springs Road and Chatham Heights Road. Bridge rehabilitation project over CSX railroad.
Route 1 Southbound
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – noon. Single southbound lane closure for Potomac Creek bridge replacement, between Potomac Creek Lane and Centreport Parkway intersection.
Route 17 Northbound
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. – noon. Single, mobile lane closures on Route 17 northbound between Hartwood Church Road and the Fauquier County line. Drivers may experience a temporary rough driving surface until crews apply new asphalt to the milled surface.
Sunday – Thursday, 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. Mobile single lane closures between Stafford Lakes Parkway and the Fauquier County line for paving and pavement marking.
Countywide Line Striping
Sunday – Friday, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. Mobile operation with alternating single lane closures or flagging operations on various primary and secondary routes in Stafford. Expect periodic delays in the mobile work zone for line striping. Motorists are encouraged to avoid crossing over freshly painted lines. The paint will be wet and may adhere to vehicle.
