Due to the winter storm affecting our region and expected significant snow accumulation, Stafford County offices, facilities, courts, public schools, and both locations of the R-Board/Regional Landfill (Eskimo Hill and Belman Road) will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has urged motorists to stay off the roads due to hazardous conditions from snow and ice. The R-Board will monitor weather conditions and provide updates on their operating status through their website and social media channels. Emergency updates, links, and resources are available on Stafford’s emergency information page.

Germanna Community College has announced the closure of all its locations on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to anticipated inclement weather. The announcement on the school's website states: "Due to anticipated inclement weather, all Germanna locations will be closed on Monday, January 6."

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The University of Mary Washington (UMW) has announced that all campuses will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the anticipated winter storm expected to impact the region. The announcement was shared on the university’s official X account, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday, January 5.

Regular classes will begin on Monday, January 13. In an earlier version of this post, we incorrectly reported that classes would be canceled on Monday, January 6.

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Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) has announced the closure of all schools and buildings for Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the forecast of snow and ice overnight. This decision also extends to canceling all activities and events scheduled for Monday.

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Residents across Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Woodbridge should brace for what could be the most significant winter storm in years, with snow accumulations of 4 to 12 inches forecasted. The storm is set to begin Sunday afternoon, bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain through Monday and potentially into early Tuesday.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency for Virginia, mobilizing state resources to prepare for hazardous conditions. The National Weather Service reports that the storm’s impact will depend on its track, with a northern trajectory bringing more ice and a southern track resulting in heavier snow across the area.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has activated its highest level of preparedness. “We’re mobilizing more than 900 pieces of equipment and have pre-treated major roadways, including Interstate 95, with brine to prevent ice from bonding to surfaces,” said Kelly Hannon of VDOT’s Fredericksburg District. Crews are also staging towing equipment along major routes to quickly address incidents.

Travel Warnings and Road Preparations

VDOT urges residents to complete all essential travel by Sunday and avoid driving during the storm. “Staying off the roads not only ensures your safety but allows our crews to clear snow and ice effectively,” Hannon emphasized. The storm is expected to bring snow at rates of up to an inch per hour, with periods of sleet and freezing rain complicating road conditions. Frigid temperatures following the storm could prolong icy conditions, hindering recovery efforts.

Lessons from the Past

Memories of the January 2022 snowstorm that stranded motorists on Interstate 95 loom large for hours. Hannon stressed the importance of staying home during hazardous weather, as treacherous conditions can halt even the most prepared response teams.

VDOT plans to prioritize interstates and primary roads but acknowledges that secondary streets may take longer to clear. Residents can track road-clearing progress through VDOT’s online resources.

As the storm approaches, Potomac Local News will provide updates on closures, travel conditions, and recovery efforts. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to our email newsletter or follow us online for the latest information.

Officials urge everyone to heed warnings and prepare for several days of challenging weather.

Jan. 5 – 11, 2025

All work is scheduled, weather permitting. That’s a big “if,” with at least two to four inches of snow forecast for the region. Updated information is available online.

Stafford County

Route 3 (Kings Highway) Bridge Repairs
Alternating lane closures at the Route 3 bridge over railroad tracks between Cool Springs Road and Chatham Heights Road. Repairs scheduled Sunday through Thursday, 9 p.m.–6 a.m.

Berea Church Road Closure
Closed from Berea Knolls Drive to Theresa Garden Place for road improvements. Northbound access from Route 17 is also restricted.

Fredericksburg

Route 1 at Fall Hill Avenue & Princess Anne Street/Hanson Avenue Intersections
Intersection improvement projects continue with intermittent single lane and shoulder closures. Most lane closures occur overnight or outside peak commute times. Expected completion: June 2026.

Lafayette Boulevard at Twin Lakes/Kensington
Construction for a $2.4 million bicycle and pedestrian connector project is underway. Completion is anticipated by November 2025.

Interstate 95

Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) Off-Ramp

Southbound

Alternating single lane closures nightly from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. for ramp widening and the addition of a right turn lane to Route 1 southbound.

Route 1 Southbound Widening

Between I-95 Exit 126 Off-Ramp and Southpoint Parkway

A second right turn lane is being added from Route 1 southbound to Southpoint Parkway, along with traffic islands for safety improvements.

Completion expected August 2025.

Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road) Widening

Near I-95

Mudd Tavern Road widening to four lanes between I-95 and Route 1, with additional access routes under construction. Completion expected May 2025.

Spotsylvania County

Route 1 Northbound & Southbound
Alternating lane closures from the I-95 southbound off-ramp to Southpoint Parkway nightly from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Southpoint Parkway
Single lane closures between Pacific Drive and Route 1 for safety improvements and traffic island installation. Scheduled Sunday–Monday (7:30 p.m.–5:30 a.m.) and Monday–Thursday (9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.).

Route 620 (Harrison Road) Widening
Reconstruction and widening to four lanes between Gordon Road and Old Plank Road. Includes new sidewalks and pedestrian signal equipment. Expected completion: late summer 2026.

Monica Gary, who represents the Aquia District on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, announced she will step down at the end of her term on December 31, 2025. Gary, elected in 2021, shared her decision in a statement posted to Facebook emphasizing family and faith as her priorities moving forward.

“As we enter the New Year and I spend time mindfully with my family, I’m reminded of how quickly life passes us by,” Gary wrote. She highlighted her family’s milestones, including her children’s graduations and her desire to be more present for her loved ones. “This is also a time for me to deepen my relationship with the Lord and prepare for whatever comes next.”

Gary expressed pride in her accomplishments on the board and encouraged others to serve their community. “The issues I ran on now have real, tangible solutions in place that will continue to move forward, even without my presence,” she said.

Her announcement comes amid lingering controversy following her censure by the Board of Supervisors in December 2024.

Censured Over Library Board Controversy

On December 17, 2024, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0, with one abstention, to censure Gary for her role in the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees earlier in the year. The board accused Gary of providing misleading information and violating its Code of Performance.

The censure resolution stated that Gary’s actions were “political in nature” and aimed at securing support from the Stafford Democratic Committee for her 2025 re-election bid. As part of the censure, Gary was removed from all board assignments and committee appointments.

Gary defended herself during the meeting, alleging retaliation by the board and accusing her colleagues of damaging public trust. “The public doesn’t trust because this board is not trustworthy and has shown themselves not to be so,” she said.

Community members rallied behind Becelia, a longtime volunteer in Stafford County, criticizing the board’s actions and calling for accountability. Becelia, accused of misconduct, described the ordeal as “reckless” and without evidence.

In a Facebook post, Gary admitted her role in Becelia’s removal, calling it a mistake and apologizing for the actions taken. Despite her attempts to reinstate Becelia, the board upheld its decision, citing misconduct and political motives tied to Gary’s re-election aspirations.

2023 Virginia State Senate Campaign

Before the censure and resignation announcement, Gary pursued higher office in 2023, running as an independent for Virginia’s 27th District State Senate seat. The district includes portions of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and Fredericksburg.

The election results reflected a closely contested race dominated by the two major party candidates:

• Tara A. Durant (Republican): 34,180 votes (48.1%)
• Joel L. Griffin (Democrat): 32,927 votes (46.3%)
• Monica L. Gary (Independent): 3,282 votes (4.6%)

Monica Gary’s journey into public service is marked by a diverse and challenging background. Growing up in poverty, she became a mother at 17 and later endured an abusive relationship.

During this period, she worked as a dancer in strip clubs, a decision she attributes to the influence of her then-partner and the constraints of her circumstances.

Reflecting on this time, Gary told ABC News, “Because I grew up in purity culture, I thought, ‘Well, I’m broken, so no one’s ever gonna want me. I’ll just be with this guy who’s already awful to me because maybe he’ll want me.'”

Despite these hardships, she pursued higher education, earning a theology degree, and founded the New Wine Community Church in Stafford in 2019. Her experiences have profoundly shaped her approach to leadership and advocacy, emphasizing resilience and a commitment to community service.

The Stafford Board of County Supervisors will hold its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2024.

Stafford County Supervisor Monica Gary, who represents the Aquia District, was formally censured by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, for her role in the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Board of Trustees. The board accused Gary of providing misleading information that led to the unjust ousting of Becelia and violating the board’s Code of Performance. As part of her punishment, Gary was removed from all board assignments and committee appointments.

The censure resolution, passed by a 5-0 vote with one abstention, stated that Gary’s actions were “political in nature” and aimed at securing support from the Stafford Democratic Committee for her 2025 re-election bid. Gary, a one-term supervisor who ran without political affiliation, has announced her intention to seek another term representing the Aquia District.

Gary has yet to announce a re-election bid.

During the meeting, Gary defended herself, accusing her colleagues of retaliation and alleging violations of federal and state laws. “This is retaliation, it is illegal under federal law as it was when I was removed from the library board for making my colleagues look bad,” Gary said. “This is an abuse of power, and if I have to be the only person to stand up here and deal with it, I’m happy to do that.”

Gary further accused the board of damaging public trust. “The public doesn’t trust because this board is not trustworthy and has shown themselves not to be so. What we’re witnessing right now is an abuse of power,” she stated.

Dr. Pamela Yeung, who abstained from the censure vote, expressed regret over the entire situation. “Two wrongs don’t make one right,” Yeung said. “I regret that this mistake happened, but I’m not voting to remove Supervisor Gary because I believe that was a necessary decision to remove her from the library board itself.”

“I sincerely apologize to you. We made a mistake, and I just think that maybe we can correct it and not let it happen again in the future,” said Hartwood District Supervisor Darrell English.

“We are sincerely apologetic for any personal harm or distress we may have caused Ms. Becelia and her family, and we hope that the county can move forward and learn from this,” said Griffis-Widewater District Supervisor Tinesha Allen.

Community Outcry in Support of Mary Becelia

Residents strongly supported Mary Becelia, who had been accused of misconduct and removed from the library board in July. Several residents used the public comment period to call for accountability and to express their dismay at the treatment of Becelia, a long-time volunteer in Stafford County.

Becelia, speaking during the meeting, reflected on the ordeal: “This is about how a political body can go behind closed doors and recklessly accuse a citizen volunteer of wrongdoing without one shred of evidence and then double down when offered the chance to set things right.” She added, “Tonight, I was told there would be an apology. There was not an apology. There was a statement. And I add this to the long list of disappointments that I have suffered at the hands of this board.”*

Howard Rudat, a resident of the Rock Hill District, sharply criticized the board’s actions, saying: “You trusted, and by doing so, you became judge, jury, and executioner of Mary Becelia’s good name and reputation.” He called on the board to implement measures to ensure similar incidents don’t occur in the future. “Had you applied those same standards during the July 10th special meeting, no one would have ever heard of Mary’s name outside of her family, friends, and colleagues,” Rudat said.

The controversy stems from July 2024, when Becelia was removed from her role as a trustee. Becelia said Gary contacted her, requesting her position on a hiring committee tasked with finding a replacement for the library’s executive director. Becelia declined, stating that it was not her decision to relinquish the seat.

At Thanksgiving, Gary apologized for her role in Mary Becelia’s removal from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees earlier in July.

Gary stated on Facebook that Becelia’s removal stemmed from misunderstandings, poor judgment, and deliberate actions by the board. She admitted to motioning for Becelia’s removal, which the board unanimously approved, and later described the action as unjust and illegal. Gary’s statement acknowledged that misconduct is the only legal basis for removing a trustee and that Becelia’s actions did not meet that threshold.

Before the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted on the censure of Gary, Bohmke read the following statement for the record, summarizing the findings of the board’s investigation and highlighting the basis for the censure:

“Before we cast our vote today on the censure of Supervisor Gary, I believe it is imperative for the community to understand the results of the investigation and information that was provided to our board in July and again in September.”

“Supervisor Gary provided misleading information to the entire board. Upon further investigation, it was brought to the board’s attention that Supervisor Gary reached out to the chair of the Stafford Democratic Committee asking for a new appointee recommendation to the library board before the Board of Supervisors took any actions on the removal of Ms. Becelia in July. Shortly after our board was provided misleading and inaccurate information from Supervisor Gary and the board voted to remove the library appointee, the Democratic Chair [Howard Rudat] notified Supervisor Gary that the library board member removed was in fact a Stafford Democratic Committee member.”

“Based on the investigation, this notification to Supervisor Gary is essentially what led her to changing her mind and requesting the board to reappoint Ms. Becelia in September’s closed session. The board clarified with Supervisor Gary and asked if her actions had changed from what she shared in July, and she said no. That behavior shared with the board can be characterized as disrespectful and unprofessional behavior. Based on that information, the board still felt what was being told to the board by Supervisor Gary was in fact misconduct and were unwilling to overturn the previous decision.”

“It wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that the board’s continued investigation uncovered these motives from Supervisor Gary were political in nature and related to her upcoming re-election and gaining support from the Democratic Committee in her upcoming election. The misconduct she previously shared with the board, in fact, was a fabrication from Supervisor Gary.”

“Appointments to committees and commissions should never be made based on political affiliation requirements or traded for support.”

The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees oversees the policies, strategic planning, and overall governance of the regional library system, which serves Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland counties, and Fredericksburg. The board is composed of citizen appointees and elected officials nominated by participating local governments, tasked with ensuring the library system operates effectively and meets the needs of the community.

Trustees work to approve budgets, guide library programs, and oversee library leadership. Their decisions shape the library’s services and ensure accessibility for regional residents.

*This article was updated to state Gary has not announced her intention to seek re-election.

From The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:

DISTURBANCE:
Walmart, 11 Village Parkway, 12/16, 6:41 a.m. Deputy F.C. O’Neill responded to a disturbance. Staff advised a female suspect was screaming at random people inside the business and threatened employees. As soon as Deputy O’Neill entered the business, his ears were assaulted by the continuing screams the suspect was hurling at employees. While attempting to detain the suspect, she would resist; however, that got her nowhere. She was charged with disorderly conduct and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,000 secured bond.

DUI:
Hollywood Church of Brethren, 225 Ferry Road, 12/15, 12:11 a.m. Deputy D.S. Jett was traveling in the area when he observed a swerving Nissan with its high beams active despite opposing traffic being present. Deputy Jett conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver. The driver had signs of intoxication, admitted to consuming “three beers,” and did not have a driver’s license. He was charged with driving under the influence, driving without a license, failure to maintain the lane of travel, and failure to dim high beams. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $2,000 secured bond.

Jiffy Lube, 724 Warrenton Road, 12/15, 4:49 a.m. Deputy C.R. Newman was observing traffic on Warrenton Road when a vehicle made a U-turn during a red light. Considering the infraction occurred right in front of him, Deputy Newman quickly conducted a traffic stop. The driver had signs of intoxication and admitted to running the red light because of “stomach issues.” The driver would have bigger issues during the field sobriety tests when he refused deputies commands and attempted to get back into his vehicle. He was detained shortly after. The driver was charged with driving under the influence, failure to obey a traffic light, and obstruction of justice. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Area of Richmond Highway and Telegraph Road, 12/15, 9:33 p.m. Deputy J.J. Suh responded to a drunk driver complaint. The caller advised a black Ford was having a hard time maintaining its lane. Deputy Suh found the suspect vehicle pretty easily due to it still swerving around and he conducted a traffic stop. When Deputy Suh made contact with the driver and asked if there was a reason why she was swerving, the driver advised it was because she was “drunk.” Her honesty continued as she admitted to consuming five Modelos. She was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content above .2. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Intersection of Kings Highway and Cool Springs Road, 12/16, 6:06 p.m. Deputy R.B. Brooks and Deputy C.D. Quebedeaux responded to a drunk driver complaint. It was advised a Jeep was driving in the middle of the roadway. When deputies arrived, they observed the Jeep displaying less than ideal driving behaviors. As deputies made contact with the driver, she would ask for directions to CVS in order to pick up her “meth.” While CVS is a drug store, it is not that kind of drug store. After field sobriety tests, the driver was charged with driving under the influence and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober. It is not all bad news, for the driver remarked multiple times that due to this, deputies “saved my life.”

PUBLIC INTOXICATION:
Bearded Monkey, 564 Warrenton Road, 12/15, 1:33 a.m. Deputy R.L. Beasley responded to a report of some monkey business. It was advised a male, who was acting belligerent, was attempting to fight people. Deputy Beasley made contact with the suspect and quickly noticed strong signs of intoxication. The suspect was charged with public intoxication and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.