On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association gathered at Paradise Diner in Stafford County to hear Liz Barber, Stafford County’s Economic Development Director, provide an update on local business conditions, development priorities, and support initiatives for Stafford’s growing economy.
Barber discussed the county's focus on addressing key challenges for business owners, including financing, marketing, and strategic business planning. Stafford’s Economic Development Office, she noted, aims to foster a supportive environment to help local businesses thrive.
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At its November 12 meeting, the Stafford County School Board approved the launch of a new Business and Information Technology Center at Colonial Forge High School.
This center is designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in fields like cybersecurity, business administration, and data analytics. This center marks the latest in Stafford’s growing network of specialty programs to give students a head start in career-focused education and advanced fields of study.
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On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Fredericksburg City Council approved a resolution to continue exploring data center development, particularly in the Celebrate Virginia South area.
The city aims to classify data-center development in the area as by-right, meaning the city council would require no public hearing before a data center could be built. The vote intensified public discourse over data centers' potential economic benefits and environmental concerns.
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Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:
Why did the chickens cross the road? Because they were seized by detectives and Animal Control Officers. An illegal cockfighting ring was uncovered earlier this month resulting in several felony warrants.
On November 7th at approximately 10:00 a.m. members of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office took flight to execute a search warrant on a residence on Norman Road [about a mile from Potomac Point Winery]. While this search warrant was related to a previous stolen property report, members of the Special Problems Unit had also received information regarding the same address hosting cockfight events.
During the original search warrant, a large number of chickens were located. Due to this, a plan was hatched to obtain a second search warrant, this one related to the allegations of cockfighting. As a result, exactly 80 Game Fowl Chickens were collected pending a seizure hearing. Additionally, controlled substances, equipment, and weapons directly related to cockfighting were located.
On the morning of November 13th, the seizure hearing was conducted. Animal Control was granted custody of all the chickens. Additionally, the suspect, Sergio Munoz, 47, of Stafford, was taken into custody by Sergeant A.J. McCall shortly following the hearing. Due to the fowl investigation, Munoz was charged with five counts of felony animal fighting. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,000 secured bond. Munoz was not the subject in question for the original search warrant.
All 80 chickens are currently being housed and cared for at the Stafford County Animal Shelter and are scheduled to be seen by a vet. The Stafford County Animal Shelter is currently exploring long-term solutions for their future.
Great work to all Animal Control Officers, Animal Shelter staff, and detectives for going above and beyond to ensure the safe rescue and care of each animal. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be sought.
A booking photo for Munoz is not yet available.
Opitz Boulevard Ramp Ribbon Cutting
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 11 a.m. to noon, local leaders will officially open the Opitz Boulevard ramp on the 95 Express Lanes. This $70 million project, funded by Transurban and executed in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Shirley Contracting Company, provides a dedicated northbound access point for morning commuters, connecting directly to a busy area that includes Sentara Medical Center, Potomac Mills, and the new Neabsco-Potomac Commuter Garage. This new entry to the Express Lanes is the first stand-alone ramp integrated into the 95/395 Express Lanes network, and it is expected to relieve congestion for drivers heading northbound during peak hours.
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At the November 6, 2024, Prince William County School Board meeting, multiple parents addressed the board with concerns and feedback about the district's pilot cell phone policy, which restricts student phone use during school hours.
The policy, which affects both middle and high schools, allows limited cell phone use for high school students during lunch and hallway transitions, while middle school students follow a stricter "off and away for the day" rule.
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In a rare move, following Donald Trump's re-election to the presidency, the Virginia House of Delegates Privileges and Elections Committee has scheduled a surprise meeting to review three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution.
The meeting, set for 11 a.m. tomorrow, November 13, 2024, will take place in House Committee Room C—206. It will catch the public’s attention ahead of the General Assembly’s regular session in January 2025.
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At the November 6 Prince William County School Board meeting, residents advocated for adding Eid Al-Adha as a recognized holiday in the school calendar. This would allow Muslim students and families to observe this significant religious event without missing school.
Hifsa Khan, a resident of Gainesville, spoke on behalf of a group of parents, highlighting the importance of Eid Al-Adha within the Muslim community. “Eid Al-Adha is considered the larger of the two Eids we celebrate, and it’s deeply meaningful for us. It’s a time when we gather with family, worship, and reflect on shared values,” said Khan.
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On November 7, 2024, Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Angela Horan of the Prince William County Circuit Court ordered Anthony Omar Andrade, 26, to serve 30 years in prison for the second-degree murder of his close friend, Jose Alonso Bedregal, in November 2023.
The case, prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Garrett Jagtiani, reached its conclusion after Andrade’s guilty plea to the murder charge, with the court sentencing him to 40 years with 10 years suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation upon his release.
