Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) was one of the few Virginia lawmakers who passed any new legislation on fentanyl. This deadly drug kills four to five Virginians a day.
The bill, awaiting Governor Glenn Youngkin’s signature, standardizes how children. “We’re seeing fentanyl dig deeper and earlier and younger into the school system.
More than 1,500 children and teenagers under the age of 20 died from fentanyl in 2021, four times as many as in 2018, reported Science News in April 2023.
Despite that fact, Democrats in Richmond aren’t doing much to combat the deaths, said Lovejoy.
“Democrats are afraid to add new crimes to the books because they don’t want to piss off their base,” said Lovejoy. “No laws got stricter about any crimes. No new crimes were created. We only weakened offenses in the code.”
On Tuesday, Abigail Spanberger (D-Va., 7th. Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg) joined Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham in Woodbridge to warn about the dangers of smoking fentanyl through a straw, which is an increasing number of people who consume the drug way of using the drug, reports Insidenova.com.
Spanberger used the press conference to which Potomac Local was not invited to talk about her new bill, Dubbed the Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl Act. The bill would require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate the methods used to enable the online sale of fentanyl and assess efforts by federal law enforcement and online providers to combat the practice.
Lovejoy said Spanberger toured the halls of the Virginia Capital multiple times during the 2024 General Assembly session, which ended March 9, and notes she failed to lobby any Democrats in the House to pass new legislation combating fentanyl.
In addition to curbing fentanyl use, Democrats failed to strengthen the penalties for drug dealers whose fentanyl kills its users. A Senate bill that would have upped the charge to felony homicide died in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee, with local Democrats Scott Surrovell (Fairfax) and Jennifer Carroll Foy (Prince William County) voting to kill it.
“I think that’s when she should have sat down with her democratic colleagues and said, ‘We need to move the ball forward on meaningful fentanyl legislation.’ She could have been very public about it, signaling that she wants and supports more aggressive fentanyl legislation, and she was mute on all those issues,” said Lovejoy.
Lovejoy, a freshman in the House of Delegates and the only Republican Delegate in Northern Virginia agreed to a wide-ranging interview about his first General Assembly session. We’ll bring more of that to you in the coming days.
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Osbourn Park High School has received the Virginia School Breakfast Award from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for its success in expanding breakfast access, maintaining nutritional integrity, and serving more scratch-cooked meals. The school is one of three recipients this year.
Cafeteria manager Nidia Bruno expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the team’s dedication to feeding students. Andrea Early, director of Food and Nutrition, noted that breakfast participation at Osbourn Park has increased by 30% and praised the cafeteria team for efficiently managing the expanded program. The school benefits from the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students.
(FXBG Advance) – Local delegates Joshua Cole, a Democrat, and Hillary Pugh Kent, a Republican, have been appointed to an emergency committee that will monitor the impact to Virginia of the…
Nothing Bundt Cakes has officially opened its doors just outside Manassas, bringing its signature, handcrafted bundt cakes to the community. The Prince William Chamber of Commerce celebrated the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new bakery at 9825 Liberia Avenue, Suite 101.
The popular national bakery chain, known for its rich, moist cakes and signature cream cheese frosting, offers a variety of flavors and sizes, from bite-sized Bundtinis to 10-inch Bundt cakes perfect for special occasions. The store aims to be a go-to destination for birthdays, anniversaries, and everyday celebrations.
“We are ecstatic to have them join the thriving business community in Prince William County,” said a representative from the Chamber. “Their presence adds to the diverse selection of locally owned and franchised businesses that make this area a great place to shop and dine.”
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia recently secured convictions in multiple high-profile cases. A Maryland man was convicted of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl to Fredericksburg, while a Stafford man was found guilty of assaulting a deaf passenger during a flight. A Honduran national was sentenced for illegally reentering the U.S. and failing to register as a sex offender, and a Dumfries man pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds. Each case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to hold criminals accountable. Read on for case details and links to full press releases.
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.
