The Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, where one vehicle collided with a guardrail and was later struck by another vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle died from injuries, while the driver of the second vehicle sustained serious injuries.
Press Release from Virginia State Police:
Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash in Stafford County. The crash occurred Thursday (Nov. 28), at 7:13 a.m. on southbound Interstate 95 at the 139-mile marker.
A 2013 Chevrolet Cruze was traveling south on I95 when it lost control, ran off the right side of the roadway, and collided with a guardrail. Several minutes later, a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, which was also traveling southbound, lost control, ran off the right side of the roadway, and collided with the Chevrolet, which was still on the shoulder up against the guardrail.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Bezawit B. Yigzaw, 30, of Woodbridge, Va., suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Mary Washington Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. It’s unknown if she was wearing a seatbelt during the initial crash. She was not wearing a seatbelt during the second crash.
The driver of the Volkswagen, Douglas P. Butler, 47, of Ruther Glen, Va., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
Weather is considered a factor in the crash.
Charges are pending as the crash remains under investigation.
Just before 10 P.M. today SCFR units responded for a structure fire, reported by multiple callers, in the 700 block of Warrenton Road near the intersection with Powell Lane.First arriving units marked on scene approximately 3 minutes later and confirmed smoke coming from the front, and side of a two-story, single family residence, with flames visible inside. Further investigation revealed a fire in the basement, with extension to the floors above.The fire was brought under control in approximately 15 minutes. The residence was not occupied at the time, and there were no reported injuries.The fire is under investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office. Crews were assisted on scene by the Fredericksburg Fire Department.
Press Release:
Domino’s stores across Greater Woodbridge are teaming up with Ghostbusters Virginia to collect Toys for Tots from now through Dec. 8 at participating locations. Domino’s hopes to help bring the joy of the holiday season to children in need through donations from community members.
Customers who wish to donate can drop off new, unwrapped toys in donation bins in the lobbies of the following Domino’s stores:
- 16430 Navigation Drive in Woodbridge
- 14402 Richmond Highway in Woodbridge
- 5892 Mapledale Plaza in Woodbridge
- 2886 Dale Blvd. in Woodbridge
- 1395 Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge
- 556 Garrisonville Road in Stafford
- 2606 Jefferson Davis Highway in Stafford
- 338 Potomac Ave. in Quantico
- 5159 Waterway Drive in Dumfries
- 13448 Dumfries Road in Manassas
Customers who bring in one or more toys to donate will receive a large one-topping Hand Tossed Pizza for $6, now through Dec. 8. The offer will be applied once an in-store team member verifies a customer’s toy donation.
“Engaging with community giving opportunities such as collecting Toys for Tots donations is so fulfilling for our store teams,” said Nona Sonnier, Domino’s director of corporate operations in Virginia. “Domino’s is so much more than a pizza company; we are a company that deeply cares about its communities, and we are pleased to provide our customers with a chance to donate to a special cause.”
Toy donation bins will be collected and dropped off at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico on the afternoon of Dec. 8.
To locate and order from a participating Domino’s location, visit www.dominos.com.
Significant advancements regarding dam safety improvements for the Lake Arrowhead and Lake Carroll communities were announced at the November 19, 2024, Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Board Chairwoman Meg Bohmke of Falmouth said that grants totaling $1.25 million were secured through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund.
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Stafford County Utilities has completed a multi-year effort to confirm that its water lines are lead-free, meeting the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revision requirements. The service line inventory, which involved field verification and historical record reviews, has been approved by the Virginia Department of Health, ensuring safe water for the county’s residents.
Press Release from Stafford County Government:
Stafford County Utilities is pleased to announce that its water lines are lead-free, following a multi-year effort to inventory water service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) required public water systems to complete a service line inventory by October 16, 2024. In three years, the EPA will require public water systems to comply with a new lead regulation, known as the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). This new regulation will build on the existing LCRR and service line inventory.
“Stafford County has always maintained a lead-free water system, and now we have the data to confirm it officially. Stafford County Utilities customers can have full confidence in the safety and quality of their water, free from a critical issue that impacts many communities nationwide,” said Chairwoman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors Meg Bohmke. “Our Utilities Department remains steadfast in its commitment to building and sustaining a lead-free water infrastructure, prioritizing long-term reliability and sustainability for the more than 125,000 residents we serve.”
Stafford County’s completed service line inventory confirms that the pipe material used in its water distribution system is lead-free. The inventory includes both the public (from the water main to the meter) and private (from the meter to the building) owned portions of the service lines. To fulfill the inventory requirements, the Utilities Department reviewed historical records, including tap cards, build dates, work order history and any available documents to identify service line materials.
In addition, over 5,000 field verifications were performed of a random sampling of properties across the entire County. The department implemented a statistical analysis model approved by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for the remaining water services that could not be verified with available records or field verified. After completing this process, Stafford County Utilities submitted the entirely non-lead inventory to VDH and received approval on September 17, 2024.
“Stafford County Utilities has a history of producing high-quality water, and it is an incredible accomplishment to have completed the service line inventory and receive a lead-free designation. The inventory was created completely from scratch, as nothing like this had ever been required before. The multi-year effort involved a cross-disciplinary team of staff from almost every area of the Utilities Department,” said Chris Edwards, Chief Operating Officer.
The health and safety of the community are at the forefront of everything that Stafford County Utilities does. Customers may view an interactive map to search by address to review their specific service line information at https://utilities.staffordcountyva.gov/your_water/water_quality/lead_and_copper.php.
The results will show the material of an address’s public and private service line, and whether it has been field verified on either side of the water meter. If the results say the materials are “non-lead other,” your exact pipe material has not been established through field verification or historic records, but VDH has confirmed the entire Stafford system to be non-lead. This is a living inventory that will be consistently updated as the service lines of more properties are field verified.
Stafford County is gearing up for a magical evening to kick off the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Event, scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Stafford County Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event promises various performances, activities, and surprises for the whole family.
Attendees will be treated to holiday music from local choirs and bands, showcasing the talents of Stafford’s youth and community groups. For art enthusiasts, artisans and crafters will offer unique holiday-themed creations.
Kids and adults can enjoy festive activities, including ornament-making stations and a photo booth to capture holiday memories. Food vendors will serve seasonal treats.
The highlight of the evening is a visit from Santa Claus, spreading holiday cheer and posing for photos. However, families should also watch for a naughty guest—none other than the Grinch, who may add a humorous twist to the festivities.
Residents are encouraged to bring their families and friends to this free, community-centered celebration of joy, unity, and holiday spirit. For more details about the event, visit staffordcountytreelighting.com.
Press release:
VDOT HOT SPOTS IN THE FREDERICKSBURG DISTRICT
Dec. 1 – 7, 2024
All work is scheduled weather permitting. Updated information on work zones and lane closures is available on 511.VDOT.Virginia.Gov. VDOT suspended many highway work zones and lifted most lane closures on interstates and other major roads from noon today, Nov. 27 until noon on Monday, Dec. 2, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
I-95 Northbound
Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 140 (Courthouse Road)
Tuesday – Wednesday, 8 p.m.-4:30 a.m. Single lane closure to gather soil samples. Permit work.
City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County
Route 1 Northbound at Falmouth Bridge
The northbound Route 1 lane is closed on the bridge for an emergency repair project. Two southbound lanes and a single northbound lane remain open. Northbound Route 1 delays at peak times are likely. A vehicle weight limit is posted for this bridge, at 16 tons for single-unit vehicles and 24 tons for tractor-trailers.
City of Fredericksburg
Fall Hill Avenue
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Alternating lane closures. Work on pedestrian crossing signal equipment.
Lafayette Boulevard at Twin Lakes/Kensington
Starting Tuesday, Dec. 3, work will start on $2.4 million bicycle and pedestrian connector project. Most of the construction will be on the shoulders and outside of the travel lanes. Read the release here.
King George County
Route 3 (Kings Highway)
Monday – Wednesday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Left lane closure on westbound Route 3 near Lambs Creek Road for guardrail repair.
Route 218
Sunday – Thursday, 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Flagging operation at the bridge over railroad tracks near Route 206 for repairs. Flaggers will alternate, one-way traffic through the work zone.
Spotsylvania County
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound
Monday – Friday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Alternating single and double lane closures between I-95 southbound off-ramp and Southpoint Parkway. Single lane closures starting at 7 p.m. and double lane closures starting at 9 p.m.
Monday – Friday, 7 p.m.- 10 a.m. on Single lane closures between the I-95 southbound off-ramp and Southpoint Parkway.
Route 1 at Southpoint Parkway
Thursday – Friday, 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Mobile operation with alternating lane closures to allow crews to conduct routine safety inspections of the traffic signal poles at the intersection.
Route 1 at Hodgins Road
Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Mobile operation with alternating lane closures to allow crews to conduct routine safety inspections of the traffic signal poles at intersection.
Route 1
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. All travel lanes will remain open, but the alignment of the Route 1 travel lanes has shifted slightly between Arcadia Road and Mudd Tavern Road for road improvement work connected with the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions development. Permit work. Construction will also be underway along the road shoulder.
Route 3
Monday – Thursday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Single lane closures between Spotswood Furnace Road and Corter Avenue for permit work.
Route 17 Business
Thursday – Friday, 7 p.m.- 6 a.m. Mobile operation with alternating lane closures to allow crews to conduct routine safety inspections of the traffic signal poles at the Lee’s Hill Drive intersection.
Edenton Road
Tuesday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Pipe replacement near Dickerson Road. Road will close with a daily detour. Crews will reopen the road at the end of each shift to allow accessibility overnight.
Harrison Road
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure between Kingswood Boulevard and Salem Church Road/Leavells Road with one-way, alternating traffic. Installation of water main under permit.
Harrison Road at Long Branch Drive
Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Guardrail repair. Flaggers will direct drivers through the work zone.
Locklear Landing Subdivision
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mobile lane closures for patching work ahead of upcoming road resurfacing on various routes in the Locklear Landing subdivision.
Millsgarden South Subdivision
Monday – Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mobile lane closures for patching work ahead of upcoming road resurfacing on various routes in the Millsgarden South subdivision.
Southpoint Parkway
Monday – Friday, 7:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m., and Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Single lane closures between Pacific Drive and Route 1.
Spotsylvania Parkway
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Single lane closures between Deep Creek Drive/New Berne Road and Holley Oak Drive/Yellow Brinch Drive for signal work.
Summers Landing Subdivision
Monday –Tuesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mobile lane closures for road resurfacing on various routes in the Summers Landing subdivision.
Stafford County
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure between South Campus Boulevard and the Potomac Creek bridge. Fiber installation. Permit work.
Route 1 Southbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure between Layhill Road and Potomac Creek Drive. Utility installation. Permit work.
Route 3 (Kings Highway)
Sunday – Tuesday, 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Alternating lane closures on Route 3 at the bridge over CSX railroad tracks, which is between Cool Springs Road and Chatham Heights Road. Bridge repairs.
Route 17 Southbound
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure between Village Parkway and Hartwood Church Road for waterline and sewer line installation under permit.
Route 17 Northbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Right lane closure between Poplar Road and Hartwood Church Road. Fiber installation. Permit work.
Route 610 (Garrisonville Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure on Route 610 between Algrace Boulevard and Ripley Road. Construction for turn lane extension. Permit work.
Berea Church Road CLOSURE
Berea Church Road is closed from Berea Knolls Drive to Theresa Garden Place, and northbound access is closed from Route 17 to Berea Knolls Drive. Construction for a Stafford County project to improve Berea Church Road. View the project page.
From North Stafford High School's Facebook page:
North Stafford High School's Choir has reached the final round of the WashFM Christmas Choir Competition! Let’s bring the title of DMV Best Choir to Stafford—your vote makes all the difference! Cast your vote now and support our talented performers. #StaffordSchoolsArts
#WASH-FM's 2024 Christmas Choir Competition | Win DMV Best Choir!!This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Press Release:
FAMPO’s River Crossing Parkway Study Survey is now open until January 3rd, 2025! If you drive, walk, or roll in the Fredericksburg region, you can make an impact on how transportation develops by providing feedback during public comment periods. You are invited to provide feedback on the River Crossing Parkway Study by completing our online survey. To view the presentation boards used during our November 20th River Crossing Study Public Meeting, please click here.
