MERRIFIELD, Va. — Recent warm temperatures have created, for letter carriers, the perfect storm for danger. The dark side of a warm day is the unrestrained, protective dog. The Postal Service asks dog owners to be responsible pet owners and help protect the 1,473 letter carriers who deliver mail within Northern Virginia District.
There have been 49 dog bites/incidents recorded since March 2011. This year there have been seven dog bites, including three in the past two weeks. One carrier is still out of work and has undergone two surgeries after a dog jumped a back fence and attacked. Another carrier was out of work several days when two dogs ran through an open gate and inflicted eleven bites. A third carrier was attacked and bitten by a dog that lunged through a screen door.
“We work hard to make the work place safe for employees. When our carriers are on the street, their work place is the homes and businesses of the customers we serve,” said USPS District Manager Michael Furey. He oversees retail and delivery operations for customers within a 4,200 square mile geographic area bordering West Virginia to the west; the Potomac River to the east; Stafford, VA to the south; and Maryland to the north. Furey said he is obligated to ensure employees are safe. “We need help from our customers to keep our carriers safe,” he said.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Recent Stories
Since August 2024, Potomac Local News has seen significant growth in our email newsletter readership, with our audience expanding from 14,747 subscribers in August to 18,252 subscribers in February 2025.
(AP) — Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Sunday and predicted six more weeks of wintry weather, his top-hatted handlers announced to a raucus, record-sized crowd at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania.
Phil was welcomed with chants of “Phil, Phil, Phil,” and pulled from a hatch on his tree stump shortly after sunrise before a member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club read from a scroll in which he boasted: “Only I know — you can’t trust A.I.”
At approximately 2:45 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Aquia Creek Road, near Aquia Creek. Callers reported a neighboring residence on fire, and first arriving units marked the scene less than 10 minutes later and confirmed fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of a single-family residence.
Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, crews had to utilize rural water operations to shuttle water to the scene. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and bring it under control in approximately an hour, despite the roof collapsing.
The residence was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office. SCFR units were assisted on scene by Quantico Fire and Emergency Services.
(AP) — Preliminary data from the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in nearly 25 years showed conflicting readings about the altitudes of an airliner and Army helicopter when they collided near Reagan National Airport in Washington, killing everyone aboard both aircraft, investigators said Saturday.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
