On January 7, the U.S. House of Representatives convened for the first session of the 119th Congress and passed H.R. 29, the “Riley Laken Act,” with bipartisan support.

The bill is named in memory of Riley Laken, a 22-year-old nursing student tragically murdered in February 2024 while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Her assailant, José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Riley’s death ignited widespread media attention and a national debate over immigration policies, focusing on the detention and monitoring of individuals entering the country illegally.

The Riley Laken Act mandates the detention of certain undocumented immigrants arrested for or charged with crimes such as burglary and theft. It also empowers states to sue the federal government for perceived failures in immigration enforcement.

The bill passed the House with a 264-159 vote. Eleven members abstained, while 48 Democrats joined Republicans in support of the measure.

Northern Virginia’s Representatives Divided

Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-10, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas) was among the Democrats who voted in favor of the bill, joining five Republican representatives from Virginia.

Meanwhile, Eugene Vindman (D-7th, Woodbridge, Stafford, Fredericksburg) opposed the legislation. In a statement, Vindman expressed frustration over the lack of collaboration, stating:

“The Riley Laken Act puts additional burdens on our local police without their input or additional funding, overwhelms our corrections facilities, and leaves so many of the most pressing challenges on immigration unresolved.”

Vindman, a University of Georgia alumnus with a family member currently attending the school, emphasized his commitment to bipartisan solutions:

“I voted no today to uphold the right to due process and keep our law enforcement focused on the most pressing issues in our communities, but remain frustrated by the lack of real solutions to our immigration problems. We need to find bipartisan solutions that prioritize securing our borders while providing pathways to legal immigration.”

Vindman narrowly won his seat in the November 2024 election against Republican challenger Derrick Anderson.

Historical Context: Bipartisan Immigration Legislation

The Riley Laken Act echoes the controversy surrounding H.R. 7909, the “Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act,” passed in 2024. That legislation, which garnered support from 51 Democrats, including Vindman’s predecessor Abigail Spanberger, made sexual offenses or conspiracies to commit them grounds for deportation. It also expanded the list of domestic violence crimes that can lead to deportation, including physical or sexual abuse and coercive behavior within close relationships.

After passing the House in September 2024, H.R. 7909 was sent to the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.

Both bills underscore the continued challenge of addressing immigration policy, balancing enforcement, and securing bipartisan consensus on pathways to reform.

Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online.

Supervisor Monica Gary, Aquia District, confirmed the meeting is still held despite the county government and schools closing for weather conditions.

Tonight’s meeting is primarily organizational, with the board set to elect a new chairman and vice-chairman. They will also review their proposed meeting schedule for the new year, and consider appointments to a number of committees and boards.

Stafford’s Board of Supervisors is comprised of seven elected representatives, who each represent a district in the county.

Meg Bohmke, the 2024 chair of the board, represents the Falmouth District. She moved from the county School Board to Board of Supervisors in 2014; her current term ends December 2025.

Tinesha Allen, 2024 Vice Chair, represents the Griffis-Widewater District. She was first elected to the board in November 2019; her current term ends December 2027.

Monica Gary represents the Aquia District. She was elected in 2022, and has announced she will not run again after her term ends in December 2025.

Dr. Pamela Yeung represents the Garrisonville District. She was elected in 2022, and her term ends December 2025.

Deuntay Diggs represents the George Washington District. The board’s newest member, he was elected in 2024, and his term ends in December 2027.

Darrell English represents the Hartwood District. He joined the board in 2022, and his term ends December 2025.

Crystal Vanuch represents the Rock Hill District. She was first elected to the board in November 2019, and her current term ends December 2027.

Fredericksburg City Council has announced they are seeking applications to fill the Ward 3 City Council seat after Council Member Dr. Tim Duffy announced his resignation after serving for 10 years due to personal and health reasons.

Residents of Ward 3 interested in serving for the remainder of the term, which ends December 31, 2025, are encouraged to apply by January 15, 2025.

The two step process involves submitting a Boards & Commissions Appointment Application online and emailing a resume. The Council will discuss the appointment further during its January 14, 2025, meeting and must select a replacement within 45 days of January 1, per the City Charter.

Looking ahead, four City Council seats, including Ward 3, will be up for election on November 4, 2025. Details for potential candidates are available on the city’s website, as is a map of City Wards .

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Department has arrested Nicolas Hartman, 26, of Gainesville for a Nov. 1 hit-and-run where two pedestrians were struck on Mine Road. Hartman was charged with two counts of felony hit and run, and one count of false pretenses related to an insurance claim.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on Nov. 1, two pedestrians were crossing Mine Road near Greenspring Drive with a shopping cart when they were struck by a dark Volkswagon that fled the scene. One pedestrian was life-flighted with serious injuries after a witness performed CPR. He remains in a rehabilitation facility.

Stafford Sheriff’s Office: 

On November 1st at 10:14 p.m. two pedestrians with a shopping cart were struck on Mine Road near Greenspring Drive. The suspect never stopped to check on the injured pedestrians and fled the scene in his vehicle. However, the suspect left behind pieces of his vehicle which helped lead to his arrest. One of the pedestrians was transported by ambulance to an area hospital and was released several days later. The other pedestrian received life-threatening injuries and was flown from the scene by helicopter. Although expected to recover, the second pedestrian remains in a rehabilitation facility.

Deputy S.C. Martin was assigned as the lead investigator and began a search for the suspect vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Working with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB), Deputy Martin tracked the suspect vehicle to a storage lot in Spotsylvania County. He obtained a search warrant and seized the Volkswagen on November 26th. Additional evidence was obtained during the search of the vehicle linking it to the hit and run in Stafford County.

Today, with the assistance of the Prince William County Police Department, Deputy Martin arrested Nicolas Hartman, 26, of Gainesville for two counts of felony hit and run and one count of false pretenses related to the insurance claim. Hartman was granted a $5,000 bond by the magistrate and confined in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

We would like to thank the NICB and the Prince William County Police Department for their help with this case. Excellent work by Deputy Martin in the pursuit of justice for these victims.

 

A decision made in 2019 by Stafford County’s planning staff has enabled the construction of more than 500 homes on the former Cannon Ridge Golf Course without requiring approval from the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.

The development at the end of Celebrate Virginia Parkway has drawn attention following public outcry for the site to be preserved as a regional park and a statement by George Washington District Supervisor Deuntay Diggs expressing concerns over transparency and standard procedures.

In October, Stafford residents, led by former Hartwood District Supervisor Joe Brito, rallied to advocate for transforming the closed golf course into a regional historical riverfront park. Brito, who served as Hartwood District Supervisor from 2006 to 2009, has proposed a vision for the park that would include public access to historic sites, Civil War camps, and the region’s only waterfall, which is currently inaccessible to the public. His online petition for the park has garnered over 5,000 signatures, with support from local elected officials such as Delegate Joshua Cole and Supervisors Monica Gary and Diggs.

Background on the Approval Process

The administrative approval allowing 579 homes on the Cannon Ridge property stems from a decision made in August 2019. Under Stafford County Code Section 28-39(i)(14)(a), amendments to the Land Use Concept Plan for the RBC (Resort Business Campus) zoning district can be approved administratively if the changes are deemed non-material. The approval, issued by the Department of Planning and Zoning, bypassed the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.

In 2019, the developer proposed two options to increase residential units within Celebrate Virginia:

1. A proffer amendment requiring approval from the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors was denied unanimously by the Planning Commission.
2. An administrative approval to add 579 units was granted without public hearings.

County spokesman Andrew Spence clarified that the land use designation on the Concept Plan was changed from “Resort District” to “Retirement/Office/Resort District” and deemed non-material, thus requiring no additional oversight. “The zoning standards for the RBC zoning district allow for amendments of the Land Use Concept Plan administratively if it is determined to not be a material change,” Spence stated.

Spence said the county employees involved in the 2019 decision have since retired or found employment elsewhere.

Advocacy for Parkland

While the administrative approval has enabled development, Brito and other advocates have argued for preserving the site as an open space. The 193-acre golf course, owned by Silver Companies, is valued at $1.4 million as open space and was assessed at $2.7 million in 2012. The company, headquartered in Florida, owns other prominent regional developments, including Celebrate Virginia North and South.

Brito’s proposed regional park would utilize paved golf cart trails to provide public access to key landmarks, including Hunter’s Island, Hunter’s Iron Works, the Rappahannock Canal locks, and Underground Railroad paths. He also envisions the park as a venue for events, festivals, and community activities, citing interest from organizations like the Renaissance Festival.

Concerns About Transparency

Diggs has initiated an inquiry into the 2019 administrative decision. He noted the absence of documentation confirming the Board of Supervisors was notified at the time. “A notification memo was reportedly sent to the Board of Supervisors regarding this matter. I am currently awaiting a copy of this memo to confirm the notification,” Diggs told Potomac Local News.

Diggs called for patience from the community as he investigated, working with the County Administrator to ensure compliance with the county code. He emphasized the need for transparency and public involvement in decisions impacting Stafford County’s growth.

The decision has sparked frustration among residents, many of whom only recently became aware of the development plans. The golf course, which closed in 2018, had historically been taxed as open space, adding to the confusion surrounding its transition to residential use.

Scott Mayausky, Stafford’s Commissioner of the Revenue, said he was notified of the change last week, and his office immediately corrected the assessment. Supplemental tax bills to all property owners involved should allow Stafford to collect all tax revenue due from 2021 to 2024.

Online assessment records show the property’s land value has been increased to over $13 million; It was previously valued at $966,000.

“Unfortunately, there was no public notification, rezoning or proffer amendment indicating this change. It is my understanding that, per state law, no notification was required,” Mayausky posted to Facebook. “Upon confirming these changes last week, I immediately corrected the assessment and issued supplemental tax bills to all property owners involved. These actions will allow Stafford to collect tax all tax revenue due for tax years 2021-2024. The only additional tax dollars that cannot be collected are for tax year 2020.

“I will continue to work with Supervisors Darrell English and Deuntay Diggs to ensure that concerns regarding this issue are addressed. I will also work with county staff to improve internal communications so that these lapses don’t occur in the future,” he added.

Brito and other advocates argue that increasing transportation impact fees for developers and preserving open spaces are essential to slowing development and addressing the burdens of additional housing, which taxes local schools, roads, and community resources.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released a statement Dec.19 following a classified briefing at the Capitol from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and the FBI regarding the ongoing investigation into the unexplained drone sightings in Virginia.

While we appreciate the agencies taking the time to update us on the situation, this briefing was insufficient and unsatisfactory. It has been more than a year since these sightings over key military facilities in Virginia and the lack of answers about the nature, intent, and origin of these incidents is completely unacceptable. The safety of Virginians remains our top priority, and we are determined to continue pressing for additional details as well as greater coordination with state and local officials. We will be staying in close contact with the relevant federal and state agencies to ensure that these concerns are pursued vigorously.

In a virtual press conference on Dec. 18, held several hours before the classified briefing, Warner said he was frustrated by the lack of information flow, stating “I would love to say ‘don’t worry’- but it’s all classified.”

Kaine said he expected clear answers from the briefing, or he would “hold people accountable.”

Virginia State Police (VSP) reported the Virginia Fusion Center (VFC) had received over 150 tips about drone activity in the month of December. 

“We encourage anyone that witnesses a drone flying over critical infrastructure, such as energy installations, or military sites, to contact the VFC,” said VSP Special Agent D. Robinson. “This will enable us to work with our partners to determine exactly what is occurring, and how to move forward.”

Citizens can report suspicious drone activity to VFC by email.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires drones are to remain in sight of either the operator or a visual observer with a maximum allowable altitude of 400 feet unless waived by federal regulators.  Shooting at a drone is illegal.

Virginia state law prohibits flying drones within 50 feet of a residence without federal authority. VFC’s Shield Program has released an All Sectors Bulletin – UAV Assessment with more information on drones.  

On December 11, 2024, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Department received reportings of drone activities and is working with federal authorities to investigate further. No neighboring counties reported sightings that day. 

From July to September 2024, the FAA reported 405 drone sightings, including nine in Virginia. In a telephone press conference, representatives from several government agencies said drone sightings in New Jersey on November 18 prompted a tip line that received over 5,000 reports of which the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said less than 100 were credible. Many of the reports overlapped with flight paths to major airports in New Jersey and New York and may have simply been manned aircraft. There are over 1 million unmanned aircraft devices in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed drones have been sighted over bases for “quite some time now.” Officials said there was no evidence or indication of any foreign actors, but added “I just got to simply tell you I don’t know.” The operators and origins of these drones remain unsupervised and have generally not been able to identify the operators or origin of these unmanned drones.

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) held a virtual press conference on Thursday, December 19, warning of a government shutdown’s devastating impact on Virginia following the sudden scrapping of a funding deal that would have kept the government funded through Spring 2025.

President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance criticized the proposed plan in a statement released on Dec. 18 on X (formerly Twitter), where they said the deal had provisions that would hide records of the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, and that the bill would give Congress a pay increase while Americans are “struggling this Christmas.”

The 1,547-page continuing resolution was scrapped on December 18, hours before lawmakers approved the measure. The bill aimed to prevent a partial government shutdown and included a variety of allocations ranging from disaster relief to football stadium land:

• Disaster Relief: Over $100 billion was designated for disaster recovery efforts to assist states and local communities affected by recent natural disasters.
• Farmers’ Economic Aid: $10 billion was allocated to support farmers facing low commodity prices and high input costs, ensuring continued access to credit and financial assistance.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): $29 billion was earmarked for FEMA’s disaster relief fund to enhance response capabilities for future emergencies.
• Agricultural Support: $21 billion was intended for farmers to bolster the agricultural sector amid economic challenges.
• Infrastructure Repairs: $8 billion was set aside for highway and bridge repairs to address critical infrastructure needs across the country.
• Community Development Block Grants: $12 billion was allocated for community recovery block grants to support local development projects in disaster-affected areas.
• Health Care Provisions: The bill included measures to extend funding for various health care programs, ensuring continued access to essential services.
• Technological Competition: Provisions were included to counter foreign technological advancements, particularly focusing on China’s growing influence in the tech sector.
• Sports Infrastructure: Plans were made to transfer land to facilitate the construction of a new stadium for the Washington Commanders, aiming to boost local economic development.
• Government Operations Funding: The bill sought to extend federal funding through March 14, 2025, to maintain government operations and avert a shutdown.

Warner said the effects of a government shutdown would be felt in Virginia on an unprecedented level. He described the possibility of a shutdown as a “cruel, heartless, stupid maneuver a few days before Christmas.” Warner said the impacts of a shutdown would be felt widely, from delays in package deliveries to long lines, delays and disruptions in air travel. He also noted the impacts on Virginia tourism, which brought in over $90 million per day in the state’s restaurants, shops, attractions, and hotels in 2023. Visitors spent over $33 billion in Virginia in 2023.

Unlike federal employees, Warner said that small business owners whose shops, attractions, and restaurants revolve around the area’s parks and travel destinations will feel the impact the most. They will not be refunded from losses that closed parks and tourist destinations sustained. Any time and earnings lost from a shutdown cannot be recouped when the government shutdown ends.

Warner said he was with many of his Republican colleagues when the scrapping of the deal was announced and said many of them were aghast. The deal wasn’t perfect, but the majority of senators were ready to compromise and pass it to move forward, he added. Warner attributed the joint statement from Trump and Vance and Elon Musk’s posts on the social media platform “X” to the fall of the bill.

“I had a career in business before I was in politics, and I’ve done a lot of deals. Trump says he’s a dealmaker – you don’t do a deal and renege, which happened at the 11th and ½ hour,” said Warner. He said the deal essentially started unraveling when “the richest man in the world started tweeting out just plain untruths about what’s in the deal. I should remind you, Elon Musk has more followers online than Donald Trump.”

Government shutdowns impact Virginia far more than any other state, Warner added. Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) noted in a November 2023 report that, according to the Virginia Employment Commission, over 14,000 federal workers in Virginia were directly affected by the 2018-2019 shutdown. The study also noted that in the 2013 shutdown, approximately 55,275 employees were affected since one-third of Federal Civilian employees in Virginia were considered non-exempt.

Small businesses and restaurants would be particularly vulnerable in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, where most of the state’s federal employees live. Some of these businesses may reduce hiring employees, cut the hours of existing employees, or close permanently.

These last-minute threats of government shut-downs with resolution at the last minute are not uncommon. In the last 15 years, the question of government shutdowns over funding has threatened shutdowns at least 8 times.

During Trump’s first term, a shutdown lasted 35 days between December 2018 and January 2019. In the last 50 years, there have been 21 federal shutdowns. Threats of a possible government shutdown have made the headlines of major newspapers every year for the previous 10 years.

“This is why Virginians and Americans lose faith in their governing institutions when people act so irresponsibly and have so little value that when you actually shake hands on a deal that you’re going to honor that” Warner said. “In this framework of our government, you can’t choose who you do business with.”

Warner has represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate since 2009. Before his Senate career, he served as the 69th Governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006, focusing on education reform. Warner is also an entrepreneur and former technology executive, co-founding the company that became Nextel Communications.

A bright gold and purple building on Princess Anne street offers creative twists on a beloved classic - Sprelly specializes in gourmet nut butter spreads and jellies that redefine the traditional PB&J with nearly two dozen exotic flavors. 

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