Germanna Community College has announced the closure of all its locations on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to anticipated inclement weather. The announcement on the school's website states: "Due to anticipated inclement weather, all Germanna locations will be closed on Monday, January 6."

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Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) has announced the closure of all schools and offices for tomorrow, Monday, January 6, 2025. The decision, which affects over 23,000 students and 31 schools across the county, was shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

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Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) has announced that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, due to the impending winter storm expected to bring heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions to the area. The announcement was made on the school division's official account on X, formerly Twitter.

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The University of Mary Washington (UMW) has announced that all campuses will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the anticipated winter storm expected to impact the region. The announcement was shared on the university’s official X account, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday, January 5.

Regular classes will begin on Monday, January 13. In an earlier version of this post, we incorrectly reported that classes would be canceled on Monday, January 6.

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King George County Public Schools announced that all schools in the division will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, in anticipation of inclement weather. The announcement was made via X, formerly known as Twitter, citing concerns for the safety of students and staff.

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Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) has announced the closure of all schools and buildings for Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the forecast of snow and ice overnight. This decision also extends to canceling all activities and events scheduled for Monday.

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Residents across the area are preparing for a major winter storm that is expected to bring significant snowfall beginning this evening and continuing into Tuesday. The National Weather Service has upgraded Winter Storm Watches to Warnings, signaling potential snow accumulations of 5 inches or more in many areas.

Current Conditions

The day began with sunny skies, but clouds are expected to increase throughout the afternoon as a powerful winter storm system approaches Oklahoma. High temperatures today will remain in the 30s, with colder conditions in higher elevations. Gusty west winds persist but are less intense than previous days.

Storm Timeline

This evening, snow may begin in the southwestern parts of the region after 3 p.m., though most areas will see precipitation start closer to 6 p.m. or later. Overnight, snowfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour during the storm’s peak intensity late tonight into Monday morning.

Snow will continue through Monday morning before becoming lighter in the afternoon as the storm weakens. A secondary burst of moderate to heavy snow is possible Monday night as the system’s upper-level low moves overhead. By Tuesday, lighter upslope snow showers may linger, with widespread refreezing expected overnight as temperatures drop into the teens.

Snowfall Predictions

The storm’s exact impact depends on several factors, including where the heaviest snow bands form and how far north warmer air intrudes. Northern Maryland could see lighter snowfall or potentially some of the highest totals if the northern snow bands intensify. Areas near the I-66 corridor may experience some mixing of sleet or freezing rain, reducing snow totals. Central Virginia and southern Maryland are expected to see the heaviest snowfall, potentially nearing a foot in some locations.

Refreezing and Road Conditions

With temperatures dipping into the teens Tuesday night, widespread refreezing of untreated surfaces is likely, creating hazardous travel conditions. Residents are urged to stay off the roads during the storm and prepare for potential disruptions.

We’ll be posting more storm-related news in the coming hours, so stay tuned.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for portions of Washington, D.C., central Maryland, and northern Virginia. The warning is effective from 10 p.m. Sunday, January 5, through 1 a.m. Tuesday, January 7.

The National Weather Service said we should expect:

• Snow and sleet accumulation between 5 and 9 inches, with isolated areas receiving up to 12 inches in heavy snow bands.
• Light ice accumulation is possible near Interstate 66.
• Snow will begin late Sunday, intensify overnight, and may mix with sleet and freezing rain on Monday morning. A lull in precipitation is expected during the afternoon.

Roads, bridges, and overpasses will likely become slick and hazardous, making travel difficult. Monday morning and evening commutes are expected to be affected.

Travelers are urged to postpone non-essential travel. If travel is unavoidable, prepare a winter storm kit, including tire chains, flashlights, food, water, blankets, and other emergency supplies. Stay informed by checking road conditions and monitoring weather updates.

This potent winter storm stems from a complex weather system involving a closed upper low and a surface low tracking eastward. The storm will bring an initial burst of snow Sunday night, with snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour in the heaviest bands. On Monday, warmer air may introduce a mix of sleet and freezing rain, particularly south of I-66 and U.S. Route 50.

Uncertainty remains regarding the exact path of the system, with models presenting differing scenarios. Regardless, significant snow and mixed precipitation impacts are expected for most of the region.

Preparedness Tips:

• Postpone non-essential travel.
• Ensure your vehicle is winter-ready and stocked with emergency supplies.
• Stay informed by monitoring updates from the National Weather Service and local authorities.

This storm is shaping up to be a significant event. Stay tuned to Potomac Local News for updates as the situation evolves.

Stafford County Supervisor Monica Gary, who represents the Aquia District, was formally censured by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, for her role in the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Board of Trustees. The board accused Gary of providing misleading information that led to the unjust ousting of Becelia and violating the board’s Code of Performance. As part of her punishment, Gary was removed from all board assignments and committee appointments.

The censure resolution, passed by a 5-0 vote with one abstention, stated that Gary’s actions were “political in nature” and aimed at securing support from the Stafford Democratic Committee for her 2025 re-election bid. Gary, a one-term supervisor who ran without political affiliation, has announced her intention to seek another term representing the Aquia District.

Gary has yet to announce a re-election bid.

During the meeting, Gary defended herself, accusing her colleagues of retaliation and alleging violations of federal and state laws. “This is retaliation, it is illegal under federal law as it was when I was removed from the library board for making my colleagues look bad,” Gary said. “This is an abuse of power, and if I have to be the only person to stand up here and deal with it, I’m happy to do that.”

Gary further accused the board of damaging public trust. “The public doesn’t trust because this board is not trustworthy and has shown themselves not to be so. What we’re witnessing right now is an abuse of power,” she stated.

Dr. Pamela Yeung, who abstained from the censure vote, expressed regret over the entire situation. “Two wrongs don’t make one right,” Yeung said. “I regret that this mistake happened, but I’m not voting to remove Supervisor Gary because I believe that was a necessary decision to remove her from the library board itself.”

“I sincerely apologize to you. We made a mistake, and I just think that maybe we can correct it and not let it happen again in the future,” said Hartwood District Supervisor Darrell English.

“We are sincerely apologetic for any personal harm or distress we may have caused Ms. Becelia and her family, and we hope that the county can move forward and learn from this,” said Griffis-Widewater District Supervisor Tinesha Allen.

Community Outcry in Support of Mary Becelia

Residents strongly supported Mary Becelia, who had been accused of misconduct and removed from the library board in July. Several residents used the public comment period to call for accountability and to express their dismay at the treatment of Becelia, a long-time volunteer in Stafford County.

Becelia, speaking during the meeting, reflected on the ordeal: “This is about how a political body can go behind closed doors and recklessly accuse a citizen volunteer of wrongdoing without one shred of evidence and then double down when offered the chance to set things right.” She added, “Tonight, I was told there would be an apology. There was not an apology. There was a statement. And I add this to the long list of disappointments that I have suffered at the hands of this board.”*

Howard Rudat, a resident of the Rock Hill District, sharply criticized the board’s actions, saying: “You trusted, and by doing so, you became judge, jury, and executioner of Mary Becelia’s good name and reputation.” He called on the board to implement measures to ensure similar incidents don’t occur in the future. “Had you applied those same standards during the July 10th special meeting, no one would have ever heard of Mary’s name outside of her family, friends, and colleagues,” Rudat said.

The controversy stems from July 2024, when Becelia was removed from her role as a trustee. Becelia said Gary contacted her, requesting her position on a hiring committee tasked with finding a replacement for the library’s executive director. Becelia declined, stating that it was not her decision to relinquish the seat.

At Thanksgiving, Gary apologized for her role in Mary Becelia’s removal from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees earlier in July.

Gary stated on Facebook that Becelia’s removal stemmed from misunderstandings, poor judgment, and deliberate actions by the board. She admitted to motioning for Becelia’s removal, which the board unanimously approved, and later described the action as unjust and illegal. Gary’s statement acknowledged that misconduct is the only legal basis for removing a trustee and that Becelia’s actions did not meet that threshold.

Before the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted on the censure of Gary, Bohmke read the following statement for the record, summarizing the findings of the board’s investigation and highlighting the basis for the censure:

“Before we cast our vote today on the censure of Supervisor Gary, I believe it is imperative for the community to understand the results of the investigation and information that was provided to our board in July and again in September.”

“Supervisor Gary provided misleading information to the entire board. Upon further investigation, it was brought to the board’s attention that Supervisor Gary reached out to the chair of the Stafford Democratic Committee asking for a new appointee recommendation to the library board before the Board of Supervisors took any actions on the removal of Ms. Becelia in July. Shortly after our board was provided misleading and inaccurate information from Supervisor Gary and the board voted to remove the library appointee, the Democratic Chair [Howard Rudat] notified Supervisor Gary that the library board member removed was in fact a Stafford Democratic Committee member.”

“Based on the investigation, this notification to Supervisor Gary is essentially what led her to changing her mind and requesting the board to reappoint Ms. Becelia in September’s closed session. The board clarified with Supervisor Gary and asked if her actions had changed from what she shared in July, and she said no. That behavior shared with the board can be characterized as disrespectful and unprofessional behavior. Based on that information, the board still felt what was being told to the board by Supervisor Gary was in fact misconduct and were unwilling to overturn the previous decision.”

“It wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that the board’s continued investigation uncovered these motives from Supervisor Gary were political in nature and related to her upcoming re-election and gaining support from the Democratic Committee in her upcoming election. The misconduct she previously shared with the board, in fact, was a fabrication from Supervisor Gary.”

“Appointments to committees and commissions should never be made based on political affiliation requirements or traded for support.”

The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees oversees the policies, strategic planning, and overall governance of the regional library system, which serves Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland counties, and Fredericksburg. The board is composed of citizen appointees and elected officials nominated by participating local governments, tasked with ensuring the library system operates effectively and meets the needs of the community.

Trustees work to approve budgets, guide library programs, and oversee library leadership. Their decisions shape the library’s services and ensure accessibility for regional residents.

*This article was updated to state Gary has not announced her intention to seek re-election.