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Subramanyam / Vindman

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.

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A Fredericksburg Regional Transit bus serves a bus stop at the Stafford County Courthouse. [Photo: Uriah Kiser/Potomac Local News]
Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) announced that transit service, which was suspended on Tuesday due to winter weather, is expected to resume at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8. Residents relying on public transportation are encouraged to plan accordingly and check for updates before traveling.

In addition to transit disruptions, the city’s trash collection schedule has been adjusted. Monday’s missed routes resumed today, and services will shift forward by one day for the remainder of the week. Tuesday’s trash will be collected on Wednesday, Wednesday’s on Thursday, and so on.

Sidewalk Clearing and Road Conditions

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Fredericksburg City Hall

The Fredericksburg City Council has announced a series of public meetings and work sessions as it considers approving the city’s first data centers within a newly proposed Technology Overlay Zoning District (TOD). The meetings aim to gather public input and provide transparency as the city plans to encourage high-technology industrial development in Celebrate Virginia South, next to the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium.

While the council is promoting data centers as an opportunity for economic growth, concerns from local activists and experts highlight potential challenges, including environmental and community impacts.

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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.

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Virignia State Capitol

Stafford County Public Schools announced that Nevaeh Lewis of Colonial Forge High School and Emma Siegmund of Rodney Thompson Middle School have been selected for prestigious roles in Virginia’s legislative programs.

Lewis will serve as a House of Delegates Page, while Siegmund has been chosen as a Senate Page. These appointments provide hands-on opportunities to learn about government and leadership during the upcoming General Assembly session in Richmond beginning January 8.

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Interstate 95 near Route 17 in Stafford County. [VDOT]
As the heaviest snowstorm in years blanketed Stafford County and the Fredericksburg region, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews have been working tirelessly to clear roads and keep essential routes passable. Stafford County saw some of the highest snow totals in the area, with accumulations reaching up to 8 inches, and more snow is expected later today.

Kelly Hannon, spokesperson for VDOT’s Fredericksburg District, emphasized the challenges faced by crews during the storm. “Our teams have been making repeated passes since it started snowing around midnight,” Hannon said. “We’ve focused on major routes like I-95, Route 1, Route 17, and Route 610 to ensure access to critical areas, including public safety facilities.”

Send us your snow photos to [email protected], on X @PotomacLocal, or text to 571-989-1695

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Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle

As Northern Virginia braces for one of the most significant winter storms in years, Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle urges residents to take safety precautions and avoid unnecessary risks. The storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and dangerously cold temperatures, with snowfall rates possibly reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Chief LaBelle emphasized that preparation and caution are key as the storm approaches. “If you can stay off the roads, stay off the roads,” he said. “It allows the cleanup crews to move more quickly and get this mess gone as soon as possible. If you must drive, remember that bridges freeze first, and maintaining more distance between vehicles and driving slower makes everything safer.”

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