Stafford County Animal Shelter has announced that it will suspend all dog adoptions and viewings until at least February 15, 2025, due to a confirmed Parvovirus outbreak. One of the shelter’s dogs tested positive for the virus, leading to the closure of the adoption floor for 14 days.
Additionally, all surrender appointments will be rescheduled. The shelter’s top priority remains the safety of its animals, and they are working diligently to contain the virus. The public’s understanding and support during this time are greatly appreciated.
The Stafford County Animal Shelter is typically located at 26 Frosty Lane, Stafford, VA 22554. The shelter is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. It is closed on Sundays. For more information, visit their website at www.staffordcountyanimalcontrol.com or call 540-658-7387.
Press release:
At approximately 2:45 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Aquia Creek Road, near Aquia Creek. Callers reported a neighboring residence on fire, and first arriving units marked the scene less than 10 minutes later and confirmed fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of a single-family residence.
Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, crews had to utilize rural water operations to shuttle water to the scene. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and bring it under control in approximately an hour, despite the roof collapsing.
The residence was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office. SCFR units were assisted on scene by Quantico Fire and Emergency Services.
Press release:
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Ayilaran recorded the sex acts on his cellphone. A forensic examination of Ayilaran’s phone revealed 73 sexually explicit images and videos of the victim and approximately 1,000 images and videos depicting other minors, including prepubescent children, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Ayilaran kept the majority of his CSAM in a folder that he titled with a smiley face emoji.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Halper and Vanessa Strobbe prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
As bird flu cases continue to rise in the U.S., UVA Health infectious diseases expert Dr. Patrick Jackson provided insights into the latest developments and potential risks during a media briefing. With over 60 confirmed human cases nationwide and recent detections in birds across Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, concerns about the virus’s spread have resurfaced.
Jackson reassured the public that while the presence of bird flu in Virginia is noteworthy, it does not significantly change the risk level for humans. “We’ve known for a long time that H5N1 influenza, in its current strain, is widely distributed in wild bird populations,” he said. “The fact that it’s been detected in poultry operations in Virginia was something we expected to happen sooner or later.”
A new strain, H5N9, was recently detected on a California duck farm, raising questions about its implications. Dr. Jackson explained that while this strain appears less virulent than H5N1, multiple circulating influenza strains increase the possibility of viral mutations. “Every time you have co-circulating strains of influenza, you give the virus a chance to reshuffle its genome and possibly become more transmissible,” he noted.
Human Risk and Precautions
So far, human cases of bird flu in the U.S. have primarily been linked to direct contact with infected animals. According to Dr. Jackson, individuals most at risk include agricultural workers, poultry farm employees, backyard chicken owners, and hunters handling wild birds. “People who have backyard flocks should be very aware of their chickens’ health and take precautions when dealing with sick or dead animals,” he advised.
For the general public, however, the risk remains low. “If you don’t come into contact with cattle or birds regularly, there’s nothing you need to change about your daily routine to protect yourself,” he said.
Jackson also addressed concerns about the potential impact on the food supply. While avian influenza has led to rising egg prices due to mass culling of infected poultry, he reassured consumers that pasteurized milk remains safe. “We know that the virus is highly concentrated in raw cow milk, but pasteurization effectively inactivates it,” he explained. However, he cautioned against consuming raw milk, citing instances where cats became ill after exposure.
Communication and Monitoring Challenges
Some reporters raised concerns about delays in CDC updates regarding avian influenza. Jackson acknowledged the uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of real-time communication from health agencies. “We need CDC working closely with state and local health departments to monitor what’s happening in wild bird populations and among cattle,” he stated.
One major source of public health information, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), has not published an issue since January 2. “This report is essential for tracking foodborne outbreaks and infectious diseases, including avian influenza. The current pause in updates creates a gap in information,” Dr. Jackson said.
What to Watch For
While bird flu remains primarily an animal health issue, Jackson noted that the biggest red flag for a human pandemic would be sustained human-to-human transmission. “Right now, we haven’t seen that. The infections that have occurred in humans have been isolated cases from direct contact with animals,” he said. However, he warned that the situation could change rapidly: “There is no bright line between where we are now and the onset of human-to-human transmission. That could happen never, or it could happen tomorrow.”
For now, he advised those in close contact with birds or cattle to follow CDC protective measures and hygiene guidelines. “Being aware of the risks and taking appropriate precautions is key,” he said.
UVA Health, which operates Prince William Medical Center in Manassas and Haymarket Medical Center in Prince William County, continues to monitor the evolving situation.
Due to an unforeseen number of staff absences, Stafford County Public Schools is experiencing bus delays this afternoon.
Several schools are being significantly impacted by delays, including North Stafford High, Brooke Point High, and Colonial Forge High, which have reported delays ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. The elementary and middle schools, such as Garrisonville Elementary and Stafford Middle, are also experiencing delays, particularly for routes that have been combined or affected by traffic.
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Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.
Virginia has 40 Senators who serve 4-year terms.
Senator Tara Durant (R) represents District 27, which encompasses the City of Fredericksburg and some parts of Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties. Durant was elected in 2023. She serves on the Education and Health, Local Government, and Privileges and Elections committees.
Durant is Patron or Co-Patron on 50 bills. We explored a few:
SB749 K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; student participation in women’s sports; civil cause of action.
This bill mandates that all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools, Virginia High School League members, or public higher education institutions be designated based on the biological sex of participants. Teams must be labeled as male, female, or coed/mixed if open to both sexes. A signed physician’s statement is required to affirm the biological sex of any student wanting to join a designated team.
It prohibits female-designated teams from allowing male participants and ensures that no government entity, accrediting organization, or athletic association can take action against a school or institution for not following this rule. The bill also allows schools or institutions to take legal action if harmed by violations and permits students to file a civil suit if they are harmed due to a violation or for reporting one.
This bill was passed indefinitely by the Education and Health committee.
SB1241 Charitable gaming; certain common interest communities to conduct bingo.
This bill allows common interest communities serving residents 55 or older to become qualified organizations for conducting Bingo. Virginia currently has 520 organizations that are registered and allowed to conduct charitable gaming.
The bill is in the Finance and Appropriations committee, having passed the General Laws and Technology committee 10-5.
SB1244 Ed. opportunities for children of fed. employees; students transferring from foreign countries.
This bill aims to smooth the transition for children of federal employees who are transferring from foreign education into a Commonwealth school. The bill states delays in receiving school records from other countries and variances in attendance, curriculum, or other policies should not delay the student’s admittance to their Virginia school.
The bill passed the Education and Health committee 15-0 and is in the Senate.
SB1238 Health insurance; cost sharing for breast examinations.
This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from requiring cost sharing (such as copayments or deductibles) for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under certain health insurance policies, subscription contracts, and healthcare plans in Virginia, starting January 1, 2026. The bill defines these examinations to include diagnostic mammography, breast MRI, and breast ultrasound. This legislation is based on a recommendation from the Health Insurance Reform Commission.
The bill was incorporated with SB1436, which passed the Senate 40-0.
SB1289 Public elementary and secondary schools; nutritional standards for school meals and other foods.
This bill prohibits public elementary and secondary schools from offering or making students any foods that contain one of seven artificial dyes. The prohibited dyes include Red No. 3 and No. 40.
The bill passed the Education and Health committee and is in the Senate.
SB1443 Income tax; state; establishes car tax credit.
This bill would offer a tax credit for taxable years 2025 through 2027 to individuals who meet certain criteria in order to offset personal property taxes on vehicles. The bill notes that the personal property tax relief program has not been adjusted for changes in population, number of vehicles, and average vehicle value since 2004, when it established a $950 million program to distribute tax relief statewide.
The bill was passed indefinitely in the Finance and Appropriation Committee.
Jeremy McPike (D) represents District 29, which encompasses parts of Prince William and Stafford Counties. He is the Chair of the Local Government Committee, and serves on the Commerce and Labor, Finance and Appropriations, General Laws and Technology, and Rules committees.
McPike is listed as Patron or Co-Patron on 40 bills. We explored a few:
SB1301 Workers’ compensation benefits; post-traumatic stress disorder incurred by firefighters, etc.
The bill extends the duration of workers’ compensation benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters suffering from mental health disorders incurred in the line of duty. It increases the maximum duration for anxiety or depressive disorders from 52 weeks to 104 weeks, and for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from 52 weeks to 500 weeks.
This bill passed the Commerce and Labor Committee 15-0 and was referred to Finance and Appropriations on Jan. 20.
HJ1 Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom (first reference).
Senator McPike was the Senate patron for this bill; Del. Cole and many others were patrons in the House.
This bill affirms that every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including decisions related to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care. This right can only be restricted by a compelling state interest and the least restrictive means.
The Commonwealth can regulate abortion in the third trimester, but cannot prohibit it when necessary to protect the health or life of the individual, or if the fetus is not viable.
The bill passed 21-18 on Jan. 31. Vote detail was not available at the time of writing.
SB1312 Real property tax; high exemption locality reimbursements.
This bill would establish a reimbursement program for high exemption localities starting in tax year 2025. These localities will receive 50% reimbursement from the Commonwealth for the exemption value of real property that is exempt from taxes for disabled veterans or surviving spouses of fallen service members.
The exemption value is based on real property exceeding one percent of the locality’s total property value in 2022. A “high exemption locality” is defined as a locality where at least one percent of real property was exempt for these reasons in 2022.
The bill also mandates the Department to assist local revenue commissioners with data for administering the program. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed during the 2025 General Assembly session.
This bill was passed by indefinitely on Jan. 23 by the Finance and Appropriations Committee with a 7-6 vote.
SJ249 Constitutional amendment; marriage between two adult persons, etc., (first reference).
This bill affirms the right of two adult persons to marry, regardless of their sex, gender, or race, and prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying a marriage license based on these factors. It also mandates that all lawful marriages be recognized and treated equally under the law.
This amendment repeals the provision that defined marriage as only between one man and one woman, along with related provisions invalidated by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.
This bill passed Jan. 21 with a 24-15 vote. McPike and Durant both voted Yea.
SB1303 Public elementary and secondary schools; diabetes medical care and management in public schools.
This bill makes several changes to how public schools manage and care for students with diabetes. Students with parental consent and a provider’s approval may carry and use diabetic care supplies and manage their condition independently while at school. School Boards must ensure a certain number of school employees complete diabetes care training, and the bill expands the care services that school employees may assist with.
The bill is in the Senate.
SB1306 Taxation, Department of; repealing Virginia Free File Tax program.
This bill directs the state Tax Commissioner to end the Virginia Free File program and its agreement with the Consortium for Virginia.
It requires the Tax Commissioner to develop a new free individual state income tax filing program, starting in taxable year 2028, which will be similar to and compatible with the federal IRS Direct File program. To create this program, the Tax Commissioner must work with the IRS through a memorandum of understanding.
The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, Feb. 22. Senators will continue introducing and reviewing bills throughout the period.
Repairs are needed across the entire structure, and park management is working diligently to complete the necessary fixes as quickly as possible.
“Most of the bracing has broken underneath, and the roof portion of the pier also has extensive damage to the pillars holding it up,” said Kenneth Ashdown, Leesylvania State Park Manager. “It is not safe for the pier to be open to the public at this time, and we hope to have this repaired as soon as possible.”
Although the fishing area is closed, the rest of the park will remain open for visitors. However, Ashdown noted that the repairs might impact the upcoming night fishing programs scheduled for March. Efforts are underway to find an alternative location for these events.
Visitors should check the park’s website for updates before planning their trips.
As a reminder, water temperatures in the Potomac River are currently around 35°F at the Little Falls Pump Station, as the National Weather Service observed. Those planning to fish or visit the river should be mindful of these cold conditions.
January 2025 has been a frigid month for the region, with temperatures significantly below normal. Overall, the average monthly temperature was 29.8°F, 4.5°F colder than usual. There were several days with low temperatures dropping below freezing, including a particularly frigid day on January 21, when the high was just 20°F, and the low dropped to 11°F, a departure of -18.4°F from normal.
Snowfall was also a significant factor, with 8.9 inches recorded for the month, further contributing to the cold conditions.
For more information about Leesylvania State Park, visit the park’s webpage.
After more than two decades of dedicated service to the community, City Treasurer Brenda Wood has announced her retirement, effective at the end of the year. Wood, the City Treasurer since January 2014, will not seek re-election in November 2025.
Wood’s career with the City spans more than 23 years, with her most notable role being Treasurer. Before stepping into that role, she served as Chief Deputy Treasurer under G.M. Haney. Wood’s leadership helped bring the Treasurer’s office to new heights, including successfully implementing new financial systems and the recent upgrade to the city’s online payment portal. Under her watch, the office achieved accreditation, a mark of excellence in municipal finance.
“I am honored to have served the citizens of this great city for the past 23 years and proud of the accomplishments of this office,” Wood stated. “I have been blessed with a dream-team staff, and I know the service will continue to exceed expectations. It’s time for me to focus more on family and explore other ways to serve my community.”
The Treasurer’s position is an elected office, with the next election scheduled for November 2025. Those interested in running for the position must file a complete candidate packet by June 17, 2025.
Urban Forestry Program Growth and Future Plans
As one city leader steps down, another team continues its essential work for Fredericksburg’s environment. Since 2008, Tree Fredericksburg has partnered with the city to plant and maintain trees, reaching a significant milestone in 2024 by planting 10,000 trees. After accomplishing this goal, Tree Fredericksburg handed much of its work to the city, which hired Bicknell Robbins, a certified arborist, to manage the transition.
The City is also advancing its Urban Forestry Program by introducing a comprehensive Tree Inventory Program. Utilizing ARCGIS software, the program allows the City to catalog and monitor the health of over 190 tree species. This database helps identify potential issues such as pests or diseases early on and provides valuable data to plan future plantings. A public-facing inventory version will soon be available on the City’s website, allowing residents to track trees and report concerns.
The City is also moving forward with plans to develop an Urban Forestry Master Plan, which will guide the long-term health of Fredericksburg’s tree canopy. This plan will build on findings from a canopy study conducted with the University of Virginia and a tree inventory made possible by grants from the Department of Forestry.
In fiscal year 2024 alone, the City planted 549 new trees, pruned 1,153, removed 165, and ground 140 stumps, demonstrating Fredericksburg’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and thriving urban forest.
Here is more information on the Urban Forestry Program and to view a recent City Council presentation.
Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.
Virginia has 100 delegates who serve two-year terms. Between Jan. 8 and Jan. 30, 2,370 bills were introduced by delegates and senators. A total of 287 have failed the House of Delegates so far, and 306 have passed the House, many of which have moved into a committee for further review.
Delegate Joshua Cole (D) represents the 65th District, which includes the City of Fredericksburg and parts of Spotsylvania and Stafford. Cole won re-election in November 2024 and is a member of three committees: General Laws, Health and Human Services, and Privileges and Elections.
Cole did not cast any votes on Jan. 30. On previous days, he voted Yes on all floor votes. Cole was a Patron or Chief Patron of 131 bills. We explored a few:
HB1600 Budget Amendment
Cole has requested $25,000 from the General Fund to support Stafford County’s Rappahannock Education Farm.
HB1598 Individual income tax; first-time homebuyer tax credit.
This bill would create a one-time tax credit for first-time homebuyers. From 2025 to 2029, eligible homebuyers can receive a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $10,000 for expenses related to buying their first home. The credit is based on the purchase price of the home. However, if the buyer sells the home within three years of purchasing it, they will have to repay the credit.
The bill passed two committees with 5-3 and 11-10 split votes and is currently waiting for review by the Commerce, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee.
HB1599 Certain end-of-course Standards of Learning assessments; elimination and replacement.
This bill would eliminate the Department of Education’s end-of-course
Standards of Learning tests for Chemistry and World War II. Instead, localities would be required to create an end-of-course assessment for both courses.
The bill was referred to the Education Committee.
HB1601 Siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility.
This bill would require localities to have applicants for data centers to perform and submit site assessments of sound assessments for residential areas and schools within 500 feet of the property boundary. Localities will also be allowed to require assessments of the impact of a new data center on agriculture, water, parks, historical sites, and forestlands.
The bill passed the house 57-40 and was referred to the Committee on Local Government on Jan. 24.
HB1635 Certified nurse midwives; licensed, certified midwives; independent practice; organized medical staff.
This bill allows licensed certified midwives (LCMs) to practice independently after completing 1,000 hours under a practice agreement, as long as they confirm the physician or midwife they worked with. It also lets certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and LCMs form practice agreements with other CNMs or LCMs who are authorized to practice independently. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health to update regulations so that organized medical staff can include independent practice midwives, physicians, and dentists.
The committee voted 21-0 to pass, with Cole not voting.
Delegate Paul Milde (R) was elected in 2023 and represents the 64th District, part of Stafford County. Milde serves on the Privileges and Elections and Transportation Committees.
Milde and Cole were sponsors of HB2164 Public school funding, specific funding calculations.
This bill requires the Dept. of Education to remove the value of real estate property eligible for tax exemptions for disabled veterans or surviving spouses when calculating a locality’s ability to pay for each school division. This bill would increase funding for areas with significant veteran populations.
The bill was set aside by the Appropriations committee.
Milde and Cole were both patrons of the HB1991 Domestic and Sexual Assault Conviction Database; established.
This bill would require the State Police to establish a database of persons convicted of certain crimes against family members or household members. The public could access this information on the State Police website, and persons listed would be able to petition for their removal from the database.
The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice.
Milde introduced 56 bills as a Chief Patron or Co-Patron. We explored a few:
HB2127 Local gov’t. employees; establishes a framework for the locality to establish & implement telework policy.
This bill allows localities to establish a framework to allow telework for local government employees. Employees would have to commit to a telework agreement, and requests for remote work would need to be approved by different authorities based on the number of remote workdays per week.
The bill was submitted January 7, before President Donald Trump mandated federal employees return to the workplace. It was set aside by the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on Jan. 17.
HB1551 Income tax, state; removes sunset on elevated standard deduction amounts, etc.
This bill would remove the sunset provision which currently applies to the current standard deduction amounts, which were established in 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As a result, the current standard deduction amounts would apply permanently and not expire after Taxable Year 2025.
Under current law, the standard deduction amounts are $8,500 for single individuals and $17,000 for married persons filing jointly. Because of the sunset provision, the standard deduction is currently set to revert to $3,000 for single individuals and $6,000 for married persons filing jointly after Taxable Year 2025. If enacted during the regular session of the 2025 General Assembly, this bill would become effective July 1, 2025.
This bill was assigned to a Finance subcommittee on Jan. 25.
HB1885 Juvenile/adult adjudicated delinquent/convicted of violent juvenile felony; immigration status.
This bill would require the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice to report any juveniles or adults found guilty of violent juvenile crimes to ICE if they are found to be in the country illegally.
The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice.
HB2129 Exchange of items on roadways; the ability of localities to prohibit.
This bill would allow localities to ban the exchange or attempted exchange of any item between a pedestrian and the occupant of a motor vehicle on a roadway. Violators could receive a fine of $50 or less.
The bill was set aside by the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on Jan. 24.
HB1985 Child support orders; date of conception.
For children conceived on or after July 1, 2025, this bill would make child support orders retroactive to the date of conception. Under current law, child support orders are retroactive to the date of the filing for child support.
This bill was struck from the docket on Jan. 15.
Candi Mundon King (D) represents the 23rd District, which covers part of Prince William and Stafford Counties. She chairs the Counties, Cities and Towns committee; is Vice Chair of Public Safety, and a member of the Finance and Labor and Commerce Committees. King was a Patron or Co-Patron of 80 bills. King voted Yes on all Floor votes except HB2595, related to tax credits for firearm safety devices. That bill later passed 99 – 0 after a passage was reconsidered. We explored a few of King’s bills:
HB1614 Postpartum doula care; DMAS to amend state plan for medical assistance services.
This bill directs the state medical plan to provide payments for post-partum doula care.
The bill passed the house 89 to 9 on Jan. 28. Cole was also a patron of this bill.
HB1844 Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy metals.
This bill provides for a work group to study the presence of toxic metals in baby food products and requires manufacturers to comply with limits and testing requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This bill was assigned to the Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee.
HB2041 Speed safety cameras; placement and operation.
This bill allows localities to install speed cameras. New cameras must be announced publicly and requires a warning by mail for the first 30 days instead of a ticket or fine. It also requires localities have periodic reviews of the cameras and traffic impacts, provide public information about usage of the cameras, and form advisory groups related to the use of the cameras.
The bill was amended by the Transportation Committee.
HB1928 Minimum wage.
This bill raises the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2027. The increase will be done in increments: minimum wage was $12.41 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2025 and will raise to $13.50 effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The bill passed the House 50-46 on Jan. 30; the voters’ list was not available at the time of writing.
The House of Delegates is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, Feb. 22. Delegates will continue introducing and reviewing bills throughout the period.
