A blue heron in distress received a helping hand from local law enforcement.
On Saturday, February 8, Deputy O.J. Martins responded to Argyle Hills after receiving a call about an injured bird that was unable to fly. Upon arrival, she located the heron trapped in a backyard, unable to take flight.
Nicknamed “Tony Stork” by rescuers, the bird lacked the endurance to leave the ground—unlike his namesake, Tony Stark, in his Iron Man suit. Officials suspect the ongoing bird flu outbreak may have contributed to the heron’s condition.
Tony Stork was transported to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for further care. Wildlife officials hope the bird will make a full recovery and return to its natural habitat in “beak performance.”
The rescue was conducted with the assistance of Stafford County Animal Control, which works to protect animals and educate the public on responsible wildlife and pet care. Residents can learn more about their services, including animal rescue and adoption, by visiting Stafford County Animal Control’s website.
The Northern Virginia real estate market is experiencing an increase in home listings, with notable pricing and inventory level changes across Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. This shift comes amid large-scale federal job cuts, prompting some government employees to list their homes out of economic uncertainty.
Federal Job Cuts and Housing Market Impact
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Thousands of residents in Prince William and Stafford counties are without power as Dominion Energy and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) report widespread outages amid a high wind warning.
As of Sunday evening, Dominion Energy has reported 7,496 outages in Prince William County and 8,363 outages in Stafford County. NOVEC has also reported power disruptions, with 3,322 customers affected in Prince William County and 1,031 in Stafford County.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for the region, which will remain effective until 1 a.m. Monday. Forecasters expect sustained west winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph, posing risks of falling trees, downed power lines, and travel disruptions.
Authorities warn that damaging winds could bring down trees and power lines, leading to additional outages. Motorists, especially those operating high-profile vehicles, should exercise caution as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Emergency officials advise residents to stay indoors, secure outdoor objects, and avoid downed power lines. Those experiencing outages should report them to their respective power providers and prepare for potential extended disruptions.
Dominion Energy and NOVEC crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible, but strong winds may delay efforts. Residents must check their utility providers’ outage maps and updates for estimated restoration times.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will vote on significant changes to its bylaws governing appointments to local and regional boards and commissions during its meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
The proposed changes come in response to the controversy surrounding the removal of a Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees member and the subsequent censure of Supervisor Monica Gary.
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Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) Off-RampSunday – Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on the off-ramp from I-95 southbound to Route 1. Construction is ongoing to widen the ramp and build an additional right turn lane to Route 1 southbound.
City of Fredericksburg
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Just before 7:40 p.m. on February 15, Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) units rushed to a structure fire at a home on Deene Court near Choptank Road. Crews arrived in under five minutes, finding smoke pouring from the front of the single-family residence and heavy flames engulfing the attic and basement on the side and rear of the home.
Firefighters swiftly contained the blaze, bringing it under control within 15 minutes. While searching the home, they rescued two cats, successfully reviving them before returning them to their owners.
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The 2024-2025 MVHS MCJROTC Marksmanship Team | Photo: Aya Karouane
The Wildcat Battalion Marksmanship Team at Mountain View High School has secured a spot in the All-Service Championship—and they’re not stopping there.
Cadets Wallace Hogan, Brooke Hartkopf, Marisa McDonough, Elizabeth Gunn, and Caeleigh Brown, under the guidance of Sergeant Major Allen Tanner, are sharpening their skills as part of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Their hard work and dedication have propelled them to this impressive milestone.
Rigorous Training and Selection Process
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The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is considering a zero-tax-increase budget for 2025, which has drawn community members' support and concern. During the February 4, 2025, meeting, parents and education advocates urged the board to fund Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) fully, emphasizing the need for higher teacher salaries, facility repairs, and student resources.
Parents Demand More Investment in Schools
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Updated 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 5 – As another major snowstorm blankets Stafford County with over six inches of snow on February 11, 2025, local officials are grappling with Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) depleted snow removal budget, which was exhausted by a previous winter storm on January 5–6.
During a Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 6, 2025, VDOT Residency Administrator Kyle Bates delivered a stark warning about the agency’s financial limitations.
“That money is gone. It’s gone. Our snow budget was that one storm,” Bates said.
The January 5–6, 2025 storm, known as Storm Blair, was a major winter weather event that severely impacted the region. Stafford County received up to 8 inches of snow, while Fredericksburg recorded between 5 and 6.3 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm led to hazardous road conditions, multiple traffic incidents, and widespread travel disruptions. Reagan National Airport reported more than 200 flight cancellations due to the heavy snowfall.
VDOT’s Winter Weather Response & Budget
While VDOT’s initial snow removal budget has been exhausted, the agency has emphasized that it allocates resources as needed to respond to severe weather, regardless of initial estimates.
“VDOT estimates what will be spent each year on snow removal based on storms in prior years, but it is an estimate,” a VDOT spokeswoman Kelly Hannon explained. “It is used for planning purposes within the agency’s overall maintenance budget, but VDOT will always devote the resources needed to respond to severe weather.”
For the February 11–12 storm, VDOT mobilized staff and equipment at Level 5, its highest response level, to match the forecasted six or more inches of snow in the Fredericksburg area.
VDOT has a statewide weather response budget of $222 million for the 2024–2025 winter season, slightly higher than the $220 million allocated for the 2023–2024 season. However, funding is distributed based on district-specific equipment needs, historical weather trends, and overall maintenance priorities.
“Each district has an estimated budget for weather response within this larger number, but it is a planning tool. Needs fluctuate district to district each year, and the maintenance budget is intended to support needs statewide,” Hannon continued.
Ongoing Challenges for Snow Removal
With the February 11 storm continuing to impact local roads, residents are expressing concerns about how VDOT will handle additional snowfall.
During the meeting, Bates acknowledged the difficulty of plowing secondary and residential roads, stating that VDOT had to bring in additional motor graders from across Virginia during the January 5–6 storm due to the extreme ice accumulation.
“Motor graders were brought in from across Virginia to clear compacted snow and ice,” Bates said.
Infrastructure and Safety Concerns
Beyond the immediate challenge of winter weather, Bates also updated the board on critical road infrastructure projects, including:
- Falmouth Bridge (Route 1 over the Rappahannock River), where northbound lanes remain closed due to structural concerns, with emergency repairs underway.
- Leland Road (Route 626) widening project, scheduled for 2028, to improve traffic flow and pedestrian access.
- Pedestrian safety improvements, including new crossings at Prim Road, Plantation Drive, and Parkway Boulevard.
