Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?, reports Virginia Mercury.
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
Virginia fourth and eighth graders’ math and reading scores have not significantly changed since 2022, per the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, reports 06 News Richmond.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin said at a Wednesday press conference that the scores on this assessment, which was taken last January, were “not surprising” and “expected.”
“We have a long way to go and we have a lot of work to do,” he said.
(The Center Square) — Despite budget increases in the hundreds of millions and multiple statewide education initiatives, Virginia students still aren’t showing a definitive recovery from pandemic learning lows, reports the center square.
Their test scores from January 2024 declined from their 2022 scores – the scores that caused Gov. Glenn Youngkin to call for major education reforms – in several areas.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the “nation’s report card,” measures several subjects but is most known for its 4th and 8th grade math and reading tests.
The White House took steps to make good on its promise to cut the federal government down to size by giving federal workers a choice: return to the office full-time or leave with eight months of pay, reports The Center Square.
The Office of Personnel Management told federal workers Tuesday night that they have until Feb. 6 to decide to stay or go. If they step down, they will continue getting all pay and benefits and be exempt from in-person work requirements until Sept. 30.
However, the Trump administration said that even government employees who stay on could still eventually lose their jobs as the president reshapes the federal government and its workforce.
Two amendments to the Virginia Constitution were killed in committee Tuesday, leaving just five alive in the 2025 legislative session, reports The Center Square.
House Joint Resolutions 452 and 492, patroned by Republican Dels. Nick Freitas, R-Culpepper, and Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington, aimed to enshrine food choice and residents’ ‘right to work’ in the Virginia Constitution. The Democratic-majority subcommittee tabled both bills in a 5-3 vote.
“This is a very simple piece of legislation, and it’s only like one sentence, so I’m sure there’ll be no controversy whatsoever,” Freitas quipped when presenting his bill to the committee.
Stafford County
- Route 1 Northbound and Southbound
- Lane Closures: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Location: Between South Campus Boulevard and Spring Valley Drive.
- Purpose: Fiber installation under permit.
- Route 3 (Kings Highway)
- Lane Closures: Sunday–Thursday, 9 p.m.–6 a.m.
- Location: Bridge over railroad tracks between Cool Springs Road and Chatham Heights Road.
- Purpose: Bridge repairs.
- Route 17 Southbound
- Lane Closures: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Location: Between Village Parkway and Hartwood Church Road.
- Purpose: Waterline and sewer line installation under permit.
- Route 17 Northbound
- Lane Closures: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Location: Between Poplar Road and Hartwood Church Road.
- Purpose: Fiber installation under permit.
- Berea Church Road
- Closure: From Berea Knolls Drive to Theresa Garden Place.
- Purpose: Road improvements for a Stafford County project.
Spotsylvania County
- Route 1
- Lane Alignment Shift: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Location: Between Arcadia Road and Mudd Tavern Road.
- Purpose: Road improvement connected to the Kalahari Resorts development.
- Route 620 (Harrison Road)
- Lane Closures: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Location: Between Kingswood Boulevard and Salem Church Road.
- Purpose: Water main installation under permit.
- I-95 Southbound Exit 126 Off-Ramp
- Lane Closures: Sunday–Saturday, 7 p.m.–10 a.m.
- Location: Off-ramp to Route 1.
- Purpose: Construction to widen the ramp and add a right turn lane.
- Spotsylvania Parkway
- Lane Closures: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Location: At intersections with Deep Creek Drive/New Berne Road and Holley Oak/Yellow Brinch Drive.
- Purpose: Pedestrian signal installation.
Fredericksburg
- Route 1 Business (Lafayette Boulevard)
- Lane Closures: Monday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.–Noon.
- Location: Between Twin Lake Drive and St. Paul Street.
- Purpose: Construction of a shared-use path.
- Route 1 Intersection Improvements
- Locations: Fall Hill Avenue, Princess Anne Street, and Hanson Avenue.
- Purpose: Long-term improvements with completion by June 2026.
- Route 1 over Rappahannock River (Falmouth Bridge)
- Northbound Lane Closure: Ongoing.
- Purpose: Emergency bridge repairs
Stay informed about traffic impacts by checking 511.VDOT.Virginia.Gov. For ridesharing options, visit GWRideConnect or call (540) 373-7665.
From The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:
DISTURBANCE:
Walmart, 11 Village Parkway, 12/16, 6:41 a.m. Deputy F.C. O’Neill responded to a disturbance. Staff advised a female suspect was screaming at random people inside the business and threatened employees. As soon as Deputy O’Neill entered the business, his ears were assaulted by the continuing screams the suspect was hurling at employees. While attempting to detain the suspect, she would resist; however, that got her nowhere. She was charged with disorderly conduct and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,000 secured bond.DUI:
Hollywood Church of Brethren, 225 Ferry Road, 12/15, 12:11 a.m. Deputy D.S. Jett was traveling in the area when he observed a swerving Nissan with its high beams active despite opposing traffic being present. Deputy Jett conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver. The driver had signs of intoxication, admitted to consuming “three beers,” and did not have a driver’s license. He was charged with driving under the influence, driving without a license, failure to maintain the lane of travel, and failure to dim high beams. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $2,000 secured bond.Jiffy Lube, 724 Warrenton Road, 12/15, 4:49 a.m. Deputy C.R. Newman was observing traffic on Warrenton Road when a vehicle made a U-turn during a red light. Considering the infraction occurred right in front of him, Deputy Newman quickly conducted a traffic stop. The driver had signs of intoxication and admitted to running the red light because of “stomach issues.” The driver would have bigger issues during the field sobriety tests when he refused deputies commands and attempted to get back into his vehicle. He was detained shortly after. The driver was charged with driving under the influence, failure to obey a traffic light, and obstruction of justice. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.
Area of Richmond Highway and Telegraph Road, 12/15, 9:33 p.m. Deputy J.J. Suh responded to a drunk driver complaint. The caller advised a black Ford was having a hard time maintaining its lane. Deputy Suh found the suspect vehicle pretty easily due to it still swerving around and he conducted a traffic stop. When Deputy Suh made contact with the driver and asked if there was a reason why she was swerving, the driver advised it was because she was “drunk.” Her honesty continued as she admitted to consuming five Modelos. She was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content above .2. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.
Intersection of Kings Highway and Cool Springs Road, 12/16, 6:06 p.m. Deputy R.B. Brooks and Deputy C.D. Quebedeaux responded to a drunk driver complaint. It was advised a Jeep was driving in the middle of the roadway. When deputies arrived, they observed the Jeep displaying less than ideal driving behaviors. As deputies made contact with the driver, she would ask for directions to CVS in order to pick up her “meth.” While CVS is a drug store, it is not that kind of drug store. After field sobriety tests, the driver was charged with driving under the influence and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober. It is not all bad news, for the driver remarked multiple times that due to this, deputies “saved my life.”
PUBLIC INTOXICATION:
Bearded Monkey, 564 Warrenton Road, 12/15, 1:33 a.m. Deputy R.L. Beasley responded to a report of some monkey business. It was advised a male, who was acting belligerent, was attempting to fight people. Deputy Beasley made contact with the suspect and quickly noticed strong signs of intoxication. The suspect was charged with public intoxication and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.
Press Release:
Stafford County is preparing to recognize individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to its parks system and the character development of its youth. The annual Florence D. Helms Award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond in volunteer activities in memory of one of Stafford’s most inspiring parks volunteers, Florence Helms.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our many parks and recreational offerings,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Meg Bohmke, Falmouth District. “The Florence Helms Award recognizes those who share her dedication and loyalty to the youth of Stafford.”
Helms, a registered nurse, passed away unexpectedly in 1975 of cancer but left her mark on the youth of Stafford County. As an active member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, she was instrumental in establishing a volunteer program of medical examinations by doctors for sports programs in the area. Helms was also active in the early years of growth and development of the Stafford County Department of Parks and Recreation. This award has been given to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in recreation, education, guidance, health, or other fields in which the service contributed to the character development of the youth of Stafford County.
In keeping with the spirit of the Florence Helms Award, two annual awards may be given:
- An award in recognition of an individual for lifetime volunteer dedication and contribution toward the development of youth of Stafford County
- An award in recognition of a group/organization that has provided support and made outstanding lifetime volunteer contributions toward the development of youth of Stafford County
The criteria for selecting the winner include: years of volunteer service (20 years minimum), degree of dedication, fruits of accomplishments, and degree of interest and concern for the youth with whom the candidate/organization has been associated.
To be eligible for consideration, completed nomination forms must be returned to the Stafford County Department of Parks and Recreation office no later than January 31, 2025. Please visit www.staffordparks.com or call 540-658-5181 to obtain a nomination packet. Nominations may be submitted digitally at www.staffordcountyva.gov/florencehelmsaward.
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission released its long awaited report on data centers Monday, detailing the expected soaring energy demands and large economic benefits of the industry ahead of the 2025 General Assembly session.
