OpinionÂ
A couple of weeks ago, I watched a very nice man and his wife approach the lectern at a Prince William County Board of County Supervisors meeting  (Click the link, then advance the video to about the 45:00 mark, or use the slide bar to drag down to citizens time.)
The Ormsbys came to talk about changing the ordinance to allow them to have chickens in their yard. I don’t know if the Ormsbys were familiar with how recently the local ordinances were amended, but in April of 2011 there was a major overhaul that really got a lot of feathers ruffled! This zoning text amendment was a huge document. Staff labored to craft the best solution for all parties.
I felt very sympathetic to the Ormsbys. It was their first foray into the way Prince William’s Government works. I believe they thought that after Supervisor John Jenkins got their letter requesting an overhaul of the ordinance, it would be forthcoming. The Ormsbys were sincere in their desire to raise chickens and have even created a Facebook page, titled CLUCK.
I am also sympathetic to the idea of raising your own food because I am relatively certain we are all being poisoned by the additives, chemicals, antibiotics and hormones in our food.
I also have a number of friends who think the county should stop making life “difficult” for residents and allow folks to live any way they choose on their own property. Unfortunately, my sympathy ends right about there.
There are endless problems in a non-HOA neighborhood. Your grass or weeds grow through the fence into my neatly kept lawn. Your dogs lift their leg and urinate on my flowers, killing them. Your dog barks. Your dog is supposed to be on a leash. Your dog left feces on my lawn.
Your cat thinks my herb garden is a big litter box. You cat is killing the birds. Your tree is hanging over my house, car, or driveway. It’s dropping apples or helicopters or sweet gum balls.
Your teenager is playing music too loud. You’re taking up every parking space with all your vehicles. Your yard looks like a dump heap. Your kids’ toys are in the street. Your kids are in the street. You haven’t mowed the grass. You left grass clippings on the walk or in the street.
You’re running a business, parking commercial vehicles, have too many people, or are working on cars in the street.
I really don’t know if chickens are a bad idea in a residential neighborhood. I haven’t been around them much since I was a kid, visiting my uncle’s farm. What I do know is it took a lot of time and effort to create that ordinance. We spent quite a few tax dollars to get that right.
More than that, I know we already have enough problems in our older neighborhoods. It’s difficult and expensive to get ordinances amended and odds are good if you please one neighbor, you offend two more. Why, the next thing you know, someone will want to grow corn in their front yard!
For further reading, try these links: Chicken Sanctuary, Pet Chickens, and Abandoned Chickens
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Join us on Friday, January 10, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m., with a special Ribbon Cutting at 2 p.m. Be inspired by keynote speaker Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation while enjoying a light reception featuring classic Fredericksburg favorites.
Location: 601 Caroline Street, 1st Floor, Fredericksburg
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Planet Fitness opened its first location in Stafford. The new 30,900-square-foot facility, located at 1455 Stafford Market Place in the Stafford Market Place shopping center, is designed to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment for individuals at all fitness levels.
The building used to house a Best Buy that announced its closure one year ago after 16 years in business. Our coverage of the closure was some of the most-read content on Potomac Local News in 2024.
The Stafford location features state-of-the-art equipment, including strength machines, free weights, a dedicated area for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and a functional training room with turf for agility exercises. Members can also access amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms with showers, a mobility and stretching space, and free WiFi.
A highlight of the facility is the Black Card Spa, available to those who pay for a higher membership tier. The spa includes Hydro Massage Loungers, massage chairs, recovery loungers, and salon-grade tanning beds, offering members an opportunity to relax and recover post-workout.
Called to Jail
A 44-year-old man found himself back at Rappahannock Regional Jail after making a false report and harassing a jail officer with obscene phone calls. Initially, deputies responded to a call about a death and gunshot outside the jail, which turned out to be false. The suspect, located at a local motel, was arrested and charged with using obscene language and filing a false report.
Assault
– Marion Manor Nursing Home: A staff member assaulted another during a disagreement. The suspect was charged with assault and battery and held without bond.
– Shasta Place: A male suspect bit the victim during a verbal altercation. He was charged with assault and battery but released on personal recognizance.
DUI
Deputies discovered a car in a ditch on Courthouse Road. The driver admitted to drinking beer, with three empty cans found in her vehicle. She was charged with DUI, drinking while driving, and refusal, and held on a $3,000 bond.
Hit and Run
A vehicle struck a VDOT sign and two unoccupied trucks at EZ Auto Sales before the driver fled. Deputies identified the suspect using evidence left in the vehicle, and warrants for hit and run and property destruction were issued.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.
Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
Essential personnel will report at specified times.
All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled.
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King George County Public Schools
King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
Liberal leave will be in effect.
We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
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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.
Featuring:
