Stafford County has installed temporary fencing at the Stafford Courthouse for routine maintenance, including painting and window repairs, as part of responsible stewardship of the historic structure. The courthouse, designated as a Historic Resource Overlay District, is subject to protective zoning regulations, and any major exterior changes require approval from the Stafford County Architectural Review Board. The courthouse refresh comes as Stafford Supervisors debate spending $209 million on a new courthouse

Press Release from Stafford County:

An essential part of owning historic buildings is being a good steward. Stafford County is no different from a homeowner in that regard. Residents may be interested to know that Stafford Courthouse is a single-structure historical district, subject to protective zoning regulations Stafford is compelled to follow. Temporary fencing has been installed as the courthouse receives some fresh paint and replacement of rotted window components – all part of the regular best practices needed for responsible stewardship of a historic structure.

Built in 1923, the Stafford County Courthouse replaced an earlier courthouse constructed in the 1800s. It was built facing Route 1, becoming the catalyst for the development of additional businesses to the north and south. Several expansions have occurred over the years to create the courthouse complex seen today; however, care has been taken to preserve the original 1923 building.

With the historic significance of the building to the residents of Stafford County and their shared history in mind, the County elected to make it a single-structure historic district by adding a protective zoning classification known as a Historic Resource Overlay District. This preservation tool is utilized across the country, from rural farmsteads to major cities where historic buildings have gained cultural and social value to the community, the region, and the nation due to their historic significance.

Routine maintenance, such as replacing rotted windowsills, repainting, or generally any ‘in-kind’ repairs where existing materials are replaced with like materials, is exempt from the review requirement. Review and a Certificate of Appropriateness is not required for the work currently being done on the Courthouse as it is considered routine maintenance.

All buildings within designated Historic Resource Overlay Districts in Stafford County must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Stafford County Architectural Review Board (ARB) before making any exterior changes to the building. Stafford County would have to go before the ARB, as any citizen applicant would, to make major changes.

A review of proposed exterior changes assists the property owner in ensuring that the resource’s value and historic integrity are maintained according to guidelines adopted by the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. These guidelines are based upon standards created by the Secretary of the Interior and utilized by local governments across the United States.

Each year, Stafford County Planning and Zoning mails information about Historic Resource Overlay Districts and their requirements to owners of record for all properties located within one of these designated districts, including the County of Stafford. The Stafford County Cultural Resources Specialist, based in the Department of Planning and Zoning, is also available to answer any questions residents may have.

Residents may learn more by visiting the Historic Resources page on this website:

https://staffordcountyva.gov/government/departments_p-z/planning_and_zoning/historical_resources.php

The Department of Planning and Zoning may be reached at 540-658-8668.

Press release:

Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) is working towards an eventual National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) certification for a river crossing bridge and parkway west of I-95, across the Rappahannock River. This new crossing would provide direct access between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg West of I-95 and help offer a more reliable transportation network, including more north/south routes for local traffic and additional routes for emergency responders, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian users, while reducing everyday reliance of trips accessing the I-95 corridor.

At the May 15th, 2023, FAMPO Policy Committee meeting, the committee reviewed and approved a rough draft Purpose and Need statement for a River Crossing Parkway NEPA Alternatives Study. FAMPO staff, with assistance from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) produced a River Crossing Research Report, which was adopted by the FAMPO Policy Committee in June 2023. Consultants, Michael Baker International (MBI) were selected to proceed with a River Crossing Parkway Alternatives Study.

In conjunction with FAMPO, MBI is performing this study as a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) alternatives study for the various crossing options. MBI, in conjunction with FAMPO, will conduct an Open House workshop on November 20th 2024, at the Virginia Credit Union Stadium located at 42 Jackie Robinson Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, from 5pm-7pm. This open house is a drop-in style meeting where the community can talk directly with members of the project team about the preliminary findings of the analysis of the five candidate crossing options compared to a no-build alternative. At the Open House, MBI will present a study overview, share relevant traffic and environmental data and planning level cost estimates, and solicit public input from the community.
The public has the opportunity to provide feedback by taking the River Crossing Parkway Survey, which will open on the morning of Tuesday, November 19.

MBI has evaluated the transportation and environmental impacts of alternative alignments within the Project Study Area and will add public input to the transportation and safety needs. Data collection includes assembling existing information, conducting traffic counts and traffic model simulations, and obtaining key stakeholder insights on corridor congestion, safety, public transit, bicycle/pedestrian issues/usage, etc. In addition, MBI reviewed project alternatives comparing environmental and human impacts, costs, and effectiveness.

Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 19, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online. To provide the public with more information about the board meetings, we’ve assembled a list of some of the items on the agenda.

On the agenda:

Stafford County Public Schools

• The school board is asking for $7,092,000 to start the first phase of replacing Drew Middle School. This phase includes buying land, planning the design, and setting aside extra funds for unexpected costs. While the projected cost of planning and design has decreased $1.9 million, construction and contingency costs are projected to increase by $16 million. The school board increased their expected costs of the Drew Middle School project by 17% to $113 million.

County Administration

• A 2021 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) rule allows DEA registrants with brick-and-mortar locations that provide medication assisted treatment to choose to offer a mobile component to their services. The regulations are already federal law, and the Commonwealth of Virginia is fast-tracking state regulations to ensure these regulations are explicitly authorized by both state and federal law. The state has a comment period currently open until November 20, 2024, and then intends to implement the regulations on December 4, 2024. In the event a provider wishes to offer mobile services, a 30-day comment period for the locality is required. The provider must also provide physical security and strict record-keeping. The demand for mobile services is expected to be low due to the cost of obtaining and customizing a vehicle for the task.

Public Safety

• The Sheriff’s office is asking to apply for recognition as a Certified Crime Prevention Community. According to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), “the goal of the program is to publicly recognize and certify localities that have implemented a defined set of community safety strategies as part of a comprehensive community safety/crime prevention effort.” DCJS suggests the designation can be a marketing tool to attract families and businesses, and may help lower insurance costs for those residing in the community.

Virginia Public Schools

• On November 6, the day after the presidential election, the county’s financial advisors (PFM) noticed that the market had become unstable. Government bond rates went up by over 10 basis points (a measure of interest rate changes). Since the market was unpredictable, the County has decided to wait before borrowing money to ensure better interest rates. Over the next few weeks, they plan to monitor the market and changing rates.
• Due to the changes in the market, the county has earned more than the allowed amount on its investments in funds borrowed through Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA). The excess earnings will be returned to the IRS, and will not have a negative effect on the county as they were unanticipated and not marked for any projects.

Utilities

• Utilities has requested an ordinance to allow wastewater treatment plants to stop accepting septic waste from areas outside the county. Nearly half of the septic waste being brought in comes from outside the County. No other local areas accept waste from outside their borders, and upcoming work on the plants will limit capacity further. The change also allows the Board to consider adjusting the charged rate for septage disposal at the same rate as sewer rate changes in the future.

From the Stafford sheriff’s office:

ASSAULT:
Rappahannock Regional Jail, 1745 Richmond Highway, 4:14 p.m. Deputy S. Waheed was assisting in processing a suspect at the jail for a domestic incident. The suspect, unhappy about the situation he created, made things worse when he kicked off one of his crocs and it struck a jail officer. He was charged with assault and battery of a jail officer and was held without bond.

DISTURBANCE:
Davenport Drive, 11/14, 7:31 p.m. Deputy W.E. Trainor responded to a disturbance. It was discovered a family member got upset over finding out who ate all the Doritos. This would escalate to a verbal argument that deputies intervened in just prior to an assault occurring. The suspect would continue her yelling spree and disregard deputies’ commands. When deputies attempted to detain her, she resisted. She was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. She was released by the magistrate on personal recognizance.

DRUGS:
North Stafford High School, 839 Garrisonville Road, 11/14, 9:30 a.m. Deputy A.L. Chaves was conducting his SRO duties when he was informed of drug activity. Instead of packing lunch, a student packed a THC vape. The vape was collected and a criminal complaint for underage possession was submitted.

DUI:
Area of Poplar Road and Truslow Road, 11/14, 9:12 p.m. Deputy S.T. Myers was traveling in the area when he observed a driver who, unfortunately, ran out of gas. Her bad luck continued when Deputy Myers noticed signs of intoxication and Deputy P.J. Leon responded to assist. The driver admitted to consuming “a little bit” of alcohol prior to driving. An open can of sparkling wine was also located within the vehicle. She was charged with driving under the influence and drinking while driving. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Stafford County Fire and Rescue unveiled Fire Boat 1500 today at a christening ceremony held at Hope Springs Marina on Aquia Creek.

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Noon update — From Virignia State Police:

At 4:05 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 16), Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 95 at the 146 mile-marker in Stafford County. A Volvo SUV was traveling in the wrong direction on I95 when it collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet sedan. There was one fatality and two serious injuries as a result of the crash. All southbound travel lanes were closed for approximately 5 hours for the investigation and cleanup. VDOT assisted with the roadway closure and detour.

More as we have it.

Update 11 a.m — From VDOT: 

All lanes of Interstate 95 southbound have reopened at mile marker 146 in Stafford County. An earlier vehicle crash has been cleared. The detour at exit 148 (Quantico) has been lifted.

Motorists should expect residual delays on I-95 southbound approaching the exit 148 (Quantico) area and along Route 1 southbound between Russell Road in the Quantico area and Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) in Stafford.

Original post 7:13 a.m. — A vehicle crash early this morning has closed all southbound lanes on Interstate 95 near mile marker 146, just south of exit 148 (Quantico). The crash occurred shortly before dawn, and emergency response crews swiftly closed the highway to address the incident.

Southbound traffic is being diverted at exit 148 onto Route 1 southbound, where motorists can re-enter I-95 at exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville) in Stafford County. To ease congestion on the detour route, traffic signals along Route 1 have been retimed to accommodate the increased volume of vehicles. As of 5:47 a.m., delays on I-95 southbound before exit 148 were one mile.

At 6:52 a.m., officials announced that a single southbound lane would be temporarily opened to allow motorists caught between the crash site and Exit 148 to clear the area. All other traffic remains detoured.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes. We will provide updates on the situation as they become available.

Do you have questions for your local law enforcement? Just want to say hello? Here’s your chance.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Coffee with a Cop event on Wednesday, November 20, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Black Rifle Coffee Company at 591 Warrenton Road.

This isn’t your usual formal meeting. It’s all about casual, friendly conversation over a cup of coffee. Officers will be there to chat, answer questions, hear your thoughts, and talk about what matters most to you and your community. Whether you have questions, concerns, ideas, or want to learn more about the people who serve our community, they’re all ears.

The goal here is simple: building trust and breaking down barriers. The Sheriff’s Office wants Stafford County to be a true “community of one,” where everyone feels comfortable connecting with their local officers.

So, mark your calendars, bring your coffee questions, and stop by for a conversation. This event is a great opportunity to strengthen the bonds in our community and work toward making Stafford County an even better place to live.

Don’t forget to thank Black Rifle Coffee Company for hosting.

A suspect in an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven in Fredericksburg has been apprehended. In the early hours of November 13, 2024, a masked individual presented a firearm and demanded cash from a 7-Eleven cashier at 340 Amaret Street before fleeing on foot. Fredericksburg police shared surveillance footage details with Stafford County authorities, who located and arrested Marquis Harrell, 30, at a different 7-Eleven. Harrell faces multiple charges, including using a firearm in a felony, robbery, and brandishing a weapon. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges may be filed across jurisdictions.

On November 13, 2024, at 1:33 a.m., our E-911 Communications Center received a call about an armed robbery at the 7-Eleven located at 340 Amaret Street.

A masked individual entered the 7-Eleven to make a purchase. When he reached the register, he displayed a firearm and demanded money from the cashier. The employee complied, and the suspect then fled the scene on foot.

Officers interviewed the employee and reviewed surveillance camera footage, which provided a description of the suspect. This information was shared with Stafford County, which began canvassing areas within its jurisdiction. Fortunately, a Stafford County Sergeant spotted an individual matching the suspect’s description at another 7-Eleven.

Marquis Harrell, 30, of Stafford County, was arrested, and the following charges were filed against him through Fredericksburg. This investigation is ongoing, and additional charges from multiple jurisdictions are pending.

• 18.2-53.1 – use firearm in commission of a felony
• 18.2-58 – robbery with firearm
• 18.2-282 – brandishing firearm (M)
• 18.2-308.2 – felon in possession of firearm
• 18.2-422 – wearing mask in public place

We appreciate the collaboration of our local law enforcement partners.

North Stafford High School students will perform "The Brothers Grimm Spectacularthon" on November 14 and 16, packing 209 dark fairy tales into one farcical show.

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