Virginia took another decisive step in its ongoing reckoning with its Confederate past as the House of Delegates in a bipartisan move approved legislation to strip tax-exempt status from organizations tied to the Confederacy, reports Virginia Mercury.
House Bill 1699, which passed by a 53-42 vote on Friday, targets groups like the Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), ending their property and recordation tax privileges.
Tim Leclerc, deputy finance director for the county, gave a broad presentation at the Jan. 14 meeting, first discussing the state of unemployment.
"According to the National Bureau of Economic Research the [COVID-19] pandemic drove the economy into a deep but short recession lasting only about two months wherein more than 21 million Americans lost their jobs," Leclerc said.
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Enjoy tasty treats while chatting about this delightful, cozy mystery at 13051 Fitzwater Drive. Need the book? Stop by Nokesville Library to grab a copy, or check out the e-book or e-audiobook on Hoopla. Questions? Email [email protected].
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The Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of the Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee rejected a bill that sought to regulate the siting of data centers near schools, parks, and residential areas. Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) presented HB1984, which would have required local government approval for data center developments only if they were located at least a quarter mile away from such properties. The subcommittee voted 8-0 to “lay the bill on the table,” effectively killing it.
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A bill to protect individuals experiencing homelessness by prohibiting criminal penalties for seeking temporary shelter in legally parked vehicles failed to advance in the Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of the Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee. HB2602, introduced by Delegate Joshua Cole (D-65, Fredericksburg), sought to address homelessness by ensuring humane treatment and temporary shelter solutions.
The bill would have prohibited localities from enforcing ordinances penalizing individuals for sleeping or seeking refuge in legally parked cars. Additionally, it required localities to make reasonable efforts to provide temporary shelter, including using government-owned property and stipulated that no individual could be detained solely for public camping unless they posed an immediate public threat or were offered alternative shelter.
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On January 24, 2025, the Virginia House of Delegates Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee reviewed several critical bills advanced. A charter amendment for the Town of Dumfries was unanimous, while a proposal to protect unhoused individuals seeking shelter in vehicles was rejected.
Dumfries Charter Amendment Advances
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Investigators are mum about how they died.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., deputies responded to a call from a concerned individual who reported not having heard from a friend. Upon visiting the residence in the 10800 block of Heatherwood Drive, the caller entered the home and discovered a female’s body. They exited and contacted the Spotsylvania County 911 call center.
Deputies arrived at the scene and found both a male and female deceased within the residence. The victims were identified as 61-year-old Charles Childress and 59-year-old Kimberly Newcomb. Authorities confirmed that the pair had been living together, although the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) initiated an investigation, conducting interviews and collecting evidence at the scene. Preliminary findings revealed that both victims suffered what law enforcement officers call “fatal injuries,’ and the incident has been classified as a homicide.
More as we have it.
In a recognition at the school board meeting, Healy was lauded for her commitment to students, families, and educators. Throughout her tenure, Healy has served alongside 33 board members and held leadership roles, including seven years as chair and one year as vice chair. Her guidance has been instrumental in navigating the board through significant growth, challenges, and transformations within the school system.
"Mrs. Healy’s wisdom and dedication have ensured that our decisions remain student-centered and focused on our future," said school board chair Maureen Siegmund. Healy’s legacy includes the opening of one-third of the county’s schools during her tenure, as well as overseeing renovations and rebuilds across the district. She will continue to serve through the current term, which concludes in 2028, marking an unprecedented 28 years of service.
