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A historic building in Stafford County could be in for a significant restoration project as a rare opportunity arises for ownership or long-term lease of the Counting House, a historic gem nestled in Historic Falmouth.
Dating back to circa 1840, this architectural marvel stands at the junction of Gordon Street and River Road, holding within its walls a rich tapestry of history waiting to be revitalized.
The county has requested proposals (RFP) to restore this historic landmark, with crucial deadlines fast approaching. Queries regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing to Stafford’s Procurement Office no later than 11 a.m. on February 20. Subsequently, the final RFP submissions must be electronically lodged with Procurement by 11 a.m. on February 27.
Now under the county’s ownership, the selected party will rehabilitate the structure for commercial purposes, specifically as a professional office. Situated within the Falmouth Redevelopment Area and boasting a historic overlay, restoration plans must secure approval from Stafford’s Architectural Review Board, with a Certificate of Appropriateness imperative. Moreover, adherence to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation is mandatory.
While the origins of its moniker, “The Counting House,” remain mysterious, historical records attest to its construction by Benjamin Hall around 1840, during Falmouth’s heyday as a bustling deep-water port. Initially serving as a warehouse for cotton, grain, and various agricultural commodities from Virginia, the building transitioned into residential use upon its purchase by the Stiars family in 1852. Since then, it has retained its residential character, with a recent rezoning to B2 enabling its conversion into an office space.
Internally, the Counting House awaits transformation, with its interiors stripped down to the bare studs. While dedicated parking is currently unavailable, an easement exists to facilitate its creation. It is situated near various commercial establishments, including restaurants, real estate agencies, and law offices, and it lies near Belmont and the Gari Melchers Home and Studio.
Prospective respondents to the RFP must possess significant experience in historical restoration, with the added incentive of potential eligibility for state and federal tax credits. The bid opportunity is prominently featured on the state’s eVA Virginia Business Opportunities site, signaling the significance of this endeavor in preserving and revitalizing Historic Falmouth’s architectural heritage.
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Today’s weather forecast is sponsored by Water’s End Brewery. Sometimes all you need is a Damn Beer. Take 96oz of this crisp, Golden Ale brewed fresh by Water’s End Brewery to-go with you in a 6-Pounder for just $14.99!
As high pressure gradually builds in this morning, we’re bracing for winter weather set to arrive late Friday. The National Weather Service predicts a clipper-type low-pressure system will move through, followed by another system bringing snow to the area Friday night into Saturday.
Here’s what to expect:
Today’s Outlook:
- Cloud cover will increase throughout the day, with temperatures ranging from the 40s to 50s.
- Temperatures will drop behind the cold front tonight, with lows in the 30s for most areas and 20s in the mountains.
Friday through Saturday Night:
- Brief high pressure will offer a temporary respite early Friday before another clipper system approaches. This system is expected to pass to the south, potentially bringing snow to the region, particularly areas along the higher elevations.
- Snowfall totals are anticipated to range from 1 to 3 inches for most of the area, with the possibility of 3 to 6 inches in higher elevations. However, uncertainties persist regarding the track of the low and total precipitation.
- Saturday morning may see lingering upslope snow along the Alleghenies before precipitation clears out. High pressure will build in behind the system, leading to dry conditions for the remainder of Saturday.
- Cloud cover will decrease through Saturday, allowing temperatures to rebound into the 30s to low 40s outside of mountainous areas, with lows dropping into the 20s for much of the region and into the teens for mountainous regions.
Weekend Outlook:
- Sunday is expected to be sunny, with temperatures reaching a high near 46.
Manassas City Police responded to a 911 hang-up call on February 9, 2024, about 7:50 p.m. in the 8600 block of Bruton Parish Court.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a group of individuals who attempted to flee the area. One individual was observed discarding a firearm under a nearby vehicle, leading to their immediate detention by law enforcement, police said.
The detained individual, identified as 28-year-old William Bradley Runion, was found to be a convicted felon during the subsequent investigation, police said. A search conducted following his arrest revealed Runion to be in possession of a suspected schedule I/II controlled substance. He was promptly taken into custody and transported to the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, where he remains held without bond, police said.
Runion faces multiple charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, reckless handling of a firearm, and carrying a firearm in possession of schedule I/II substances, police said.
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In a ceremony on Wednesday, February 14, at 10 a.m., the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue celebrated the graduation of Recruit Class 2023-2 at the Grace Life Community Church, at 9560 Linton Hall Road.
Battalion Chief Scott Arft presided over the ceremony, marking the end of months of training for the Fire and Rescue Technicians of Class 2023-2. These individuals completed 27 weeks of rigorous academic and physical training at the Department’s Public Safety Training Center in Nokesville, Virginia.
Each graduate completed over 1500 hours of training, covering various crucial aspects of their roles, including Health, Nutrition, and Functional Fitness. The training regimen included eight weeks of Emergency Medical Training, 13 weeks of Fire Training, four weeks of Specialized Training, and two weeks of Administrative Training.
The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue congratulates the following graduates:
- Aaron Bielski
- Parker Freeman
- Jonathon Paucar-Gonzalez
- Tyler Bodner
- Matthew Goldsborough
- Harold Phillips
- Brooke Burke
- Marco Greco
- Jason Scott
- Anthony Chrisman
- Luke Howard
- Kevin Sweeney
- Mason Compton
- Julian Lambert
- Quincy Thompson
- Mary Cuccinelli
- Jackson Lowery
- Joshua Van Wyk
- Isaac Flores
- Mathew Manilli
- Richard Wahl
- Nathan Forbes
- James Mitchell
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Aggravated Malicious Wounding Arrest:
Michael Carlos DUNCAN, aged 43 and a resident of Woodbridge, was apprehended on February 8. He faces charges including abduction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated malicious wounding. Duncan’s arrest stems from an incident on October 16, 2023, when a shooting occurred outside a residence on Earlham Ct. in Woodbridge. Montgomery County police assisted in locating and apprehending Duncan, who is slated for a court appearance on April 30, 2024. Previously, Michael Carlos DUNCAN was identified as the suspect in connection to a shooting incident that took place on October 16, 2023, in Woodbridge. During the incident, a 39-year-old man sustained a non-life-threatening injury. The investigation into this matter is ongoing.
Shooting Incident:
On February 13, at approximately 5:01 PM, authorities responded to a shots fired call in the 15300 block of Gatehouse Terrace in Woodbridge. The investigation revealed that during a physical altercation between two men, one of them brandished a firearm and fired multiple rounds, injuring a 21-year-old man who later sought medical treatment. Despite efforts, both individuals involved had fled the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival.
Armed Robbery:
A robbery occurred on February 10 in Woodbridge, where a 19-year-old man was assaulted while sitting in his vehicle. Three unidentified men approached the victim, brandishing firearms, and proceeded to steal his belongings, including marijuana, before fleeing on foot. The victim sustained minor injuries.
Strong-Arm Robbery:
At an ABC Store located at 4255 Cheshire Station Plaza in Woodbridge, a robbery took place on February 11. The suspect, described as a black male wearing all-black clothing and a ski-style mask, threatened an employee and absconded with unpaid merchandise. No injuries were reported.
Sexual Assault Arrest:
Edward GARRETT, aged 59 and residing in Vienna, was arrested on February 9 for sexual battery. The incident occurred on December 12, 2023, at a residence in Woodbridge, where Garrett allegedly assaulted an adult female employee.
Threats to Bomb:
Authorities responded to a threat of bombing at NOVEC, located at 10432 Balls Ford Rd. in Manassas, on February 12. Damien Michaeal BROCKWAY, aged 46 and a resident of Warrenton, was apprehended the following day. The investigation confirmed no active threat.
Impersonating Law Enforcement & Residential Burglary Arrest:
Genie RHINEHART, aged 51 and from Evans, GA, was arrested on February 13 for burglary and impersonating law enforcement. Rhinehart was found inside a residence on Cebu Island Ct. in Lake Ridge and initially claimed to be law enforcement. Further investigation revealed false information, leading to her arrest.
The Stafford County School Board unanimously approved its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 operating budget during a meeting held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, in a 6-1 vote. The approved budget, in line with the School Board’s established priorities, aims to support various aspects of educational development without employing descriptive language.
The budget request is $42 million more than last year. Of that, about $19 million would need to come from the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. The total approved budget is $457 million for the 2024-2025 academic year, is slated for submission to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors for final approval.
Notably, 38.4 percent of the school system’s funding is expected to originate from Stafford County.
In conjunction with the Superintendent’s proposed budget, the School Board intends to submit an additional $3.8 million request to the Board of Supervisors. This supplementary allocation is earmarked specifically for the implementation of Phase I of the service staff pay increase.
Furthermore, the approved budget outlines provisions for staffing standards, intending to allocate educators and support staff across the division based on school population and student needs. Financial resources will also be differentially allocated to schools based on need, aiming to ensure meaningful post-secondary outcomes for all students.
Maureen Siegmund, Chair of the School Board, emphasized the pivotal role of Stafford Schools within the community. She highlighted the significance of various stakeholders, including service employees, business partners, and teachers, in fostering community growth and student development.
Despite the county’s burgeoning population, the proportion of funding from Stafford County allocated to the school system has experienced a consistent decline over the past decade, falling from 45% in 2011 to 37.87% in 2024. The FY25 funding request seeks to address this trend by proposing an increase of $18.8 million or 12%.
The School Board is scheduled to present its adopted budget to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors on February 27, followed by a joint work session on March 7. The Board of Supervisors will finalize its tax rate on April 2, while the School Board is slated to adopt its final FY25 budget on April 23, contingent upon receiving final allocations from the county and state budgets.
Although budget approval is an annual process, the FY25 School Board Approved Budget is aligned with the Superintendent’s proposed 5-year budget and division strategic plan, “Elevate Stafford”.
Quantico Mayor Kevin Brown is still pushing for more than one way in and out of his tiny town — the only one in the U.S. located within the confines of a military base.
Brown says the town took to Facebook on Saturday, Feb. 10, to express its frustration. The town posted a photo of a train stopped on the tracks, blocking Potomac Avenue, the town’s entrance.
“Lives are being put at risk due to the closure of the Broadway Street Gate (Gate 3) and lack of access to the Martin Street underpass. Unsat. Not Semper Fidelis. RR blocked for over 30 mins,” a town staffer posted on Facebook.
Since the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 2, 2020, access to the town has been restricted to only those who live and work in the town. Last year, Potomac Local told you Quantico town officials had asked their neighbors on Quantico Marines Corps Base to reopen multiple streets that were closed after Solemani’s death; the Marine Corps ratcheted up security and required everyone entering the base to have a military ID or get special clearance.
Drivers must pass through the base to get to the town, which predates the base’s 1917 opening.
Brown told Potomac Local the town has not received a response from the Marines since posting to Facebook last weekend. Multiple requests for comment about this issue since the town made its post have also gone unanswered.
Potomac Avenue is the town’s main entrance and exit. It is a street with a view of the river that shares its name, and most town shops are on it.
Brown said he’s also trying to rally federal help from Senator Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the town’s congresswoman.
The railroad track at the town’s entrance carries Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express, and freight trains. The base is putting the finishing touches on improvements to the passenger train station.
Brown told Potomac Local last year that when trains stop on the tracks for extended periods, that spells problems for residents, preventing them from leaving. Brown said stalled trains also prevent emergency vehicles from entering to render aid promptly.
Before the restrictions, drivers could also enter the town on Broadway Street or use a railroad underpass on Martin Street.
Last year, base spokesman Capt. Michael Curtis told us Base Commander Col. Michael L. Brooks continues to work with the town and federal officials to ensure access to the town. While it’s not like it used to be before 2020 when civilians could show a Virginia license at the main gate and drive to town, the Marine Corps is working on a solution to fit the needs of residents and Marines.
About 600 people live in Quantico town.
Philip Austin Brant, 26, of Woodbridge, has been identified as the suspect in an officer-involved shooting that occurred at an apprenticeship training center located at 7016 Infantry Ridge Road near Manassas on February 13.
The incident resulted in the death of Elijah Islam Safdi, 23, of Manassas, who was one of the stabbing victims. The other stabbing victim, a 23-year-old man from Fairfax, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), with members from Local Union 26 IBEW, operates a training center at the address.
Preliminary details released by authorities indicate that the incident began with multiple 911 calls reporting a stabbing-in-progress at the training center, police said. When officers arrived, they encountered Brant at the entrance door and engaged him as he brandished a knife, police said. Despite commands to drop the weapon, Brant continued to advance toward the officers, prompting them to fire their department-issued handguns, ultimately striking Brant, police said.
Further investigation revealed that the initial stabbing occurred in a classroom within the training center, where Brant allegedly approached one victim and began stabbing him multiple times, police said. The altercation escalated, leading to the second stabbing victim, Safadi. Safadi later succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect, Brant, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) continues to lead the investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the officers involved, both with five years and one-and-half years of service, respectively, in uniformed patrol operations. Each has been placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a web tip at pwcva.gov/policetip. All tips received will be relayed to CIRT investigators as the investigation progresses.