We had a blast attending the Garrisonville Elementary PTO Trunk or Treat event on October 25! This free-entry event brought the community together for a spooky and fun-filled evening. Families enjoyed games, crafts, face painting, a photo booth, a spooky maze, and even a petting farm. The fire truck and various food trucks, including Taco Tuesday, Slap Food Truck, Fire Escape Burgers, and more, were great additions to the night.
The event featured wonderfully decorated trunks, including a mad scientist’s lab, dinosaurs straight out of Jurassic Park, and an under-the-sea adventure complete with a giant octopus! The turnout was incredible, with hundreds of attendees lining up from the parking lot all the way to the playground. Everyone was warmly greeted as they walked through the maze of creative trunks, gathering candy and showing off their amazing costumes.
Were you there? We want to see your photos! Please submit them to [email protected] or text them to 571-989-1695 and show off your Trunk or Treat memories!
Elected leaders meet at Brooke Point High School on October 17, 2024 to discuss the Stafford County Public Schools legislative agenda. [Photo: Stafford schools]On Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Stafford County School Board convened with local lawmakers to present its 2024 legislative agenda for the upcoming Virginia General Assembly session. Focused on enhancing educational quality and addressing critical funding disparities, the School Board laid out priorities designed to improve resources, staff retention, and the educational environment for Stafford County Public Schools.
The School Board’s legislative agenda underscores several issues:
1. Cost-of-Competing Adjustment (COCA): Stafford County receives only 25% of the COCA funding that neighboring Northern Virginia districts enjoy, despite facing similar cost-of-living and market conditions. The Board urged lawmakers to support full COCA funding to help Stafford attract and retain educators, noting a $10,000 average salary gap between teachers in Stafford and nearby districts.
2. Eliminating the Support Position Cap: Instituted during the 2009 recession, the cap restricts state funding for non-instructional support staff. The School Board argued that lifting this cap would address staffing shortages in essential roles such as social work, custodial services, and administrative support, critical to maintaining high-quality education.
3. Additional Local Sales and Use Tax: Stafford’s enrollment is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, creating a need for expanded school facilities. The Board proposed a local tax increase, pending voter approval, to fund school construction and renovation, helping to address the division’s $1.5 billion in identified capital needs.
4. Standards of Quality (SOQ) Support: The Board called for increased funding for counselors, psychologists, and social workers, advocating that these positions are essential for student mental health and well-being. They also requested more assistant principals to enhance school safety and support instructional leadership.
5. Enhanced Technology Funding: The School Board requested an increase in the per-school allocation for the Standards of Learning (SOL) Technology Initiative from $26,000 to $50,000, with an annual inflation adjustment. This adjustment would provide much-needed resources for technology infrastructure, enabling more effective online testing and digital instruction.
6. Juvenile Court Services Coordination: Recognizing the need for informed intervention, the School Board urged changes to juvenile court reporting requirements, allowing superintendents access to more detailed case information. This, they argued, would improve support-based services and educational planning for students involved in the juvenile justice system.
Moving Forward
As the Virginia General Assembly prepares for the 2025 legislative session, Stafford’s School Board hopes for robust support for its agenda, stressing that these measures are critical for meeting the needs of Stafford’s growing student population. School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund emphasized, “Investing in recruitment, infrastructure, and student support is essential to creating a thriving educational ecosystem that serves not only our students but our entire community.”
A 60-year-old Correctional Officer was arrested yesterday on five charges.
On October 21st at approximately 10:42 a.m. deputies received information regarding a Correctional Officer at Rappahannock Regional Jail, located at 1745 Richmond Highway [in Stafford County]. The information provided was that the suspect had improper contact with a female inmate.
Due to the nature of the allegations, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division responded. As a result of their investigation, the suspect was taken into custody without incident later that day. He was charged with three counts of sexual battery and two counts of carnal knowledge of a prisoner by a correctional officer. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $3,000 secured bond.
The suspect was identified as Chadwick Jackson of King George. The investigation is ongoing.
Stafford County Public Schools saw significant growth in both Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment participation during the 2023–2024 academic year, continuing their efforts to offer more rigorous academic options and improve student outcomes. As discussed during the Stafford County School Board meeting on October 8, 2024, the district has focused on expanding access to AP and Dual Enrollment courses, resulting in increased participation and success rates.
The number of AP exams administered in Stafford schools has risen steadily over the past few years. During the 2023–2024 academic year, 3,452 AP exams were administered to 1,974 students, with 67% earning a score of three or higher. This score is critical as it is typically the threshold for earning college credit, reflecting the district's progress in offering challenging coursework and preparing students for post-secondary education.
Brooke Point High School [Photo: PTSO Facebook page]Three Stafford County schools—Brooke Point High School, H.H. Poole Middle School, and Stafford Middle School—are currently accredited with conditions due to low academic performance in key areas, as discussed during the latest Stafford County School Board meeting. The schools earned this status following evaluations of student achievement in subjects like English, math, and science.
Accreditation with Conditions Explained
During the October 8, 2024, Stafford School Board meeting, officials explained accreditation with conditions signals that while a school meets basic operational standards, it has significant shortcomings in academic performance that need to be addressed. These three schools earned a “Level 3” rating in at least one performance area, indicating performance "below standard." According to Virginia’s accreditation system, schools at this level need targeted interventions.
A New Mexico man was found intoxicated behind the wheel of an RV on October 16, prompting deputies to conduct a traffic stop. An inventory search revealed five firearms, multiple controlled substances, and items linked to drug transactions, leading to numerous charges, including driving under the influence and drug trafficking.
Press Release from Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:
An intoxicated New Mexico man was found behind the wheel of a rather noticeable vehicle yesterday. That would be only one of his many offenses after deputies searched his ride.
On October 16th at approximately 5:08 p.m. Deputy R. Tully responded to the area of Richmond Highway and Eskimo Hill Road for a reckless driver. The caller advised a RV was failing to maintain the lane of travel while traveling about 28 MPH in a 40 MPH zone. They would further advise the driver was slumped over the wheel while driving.
Deputy Tully found the large vehicle in the area of Richmond Highway and Courthouse Road. He would also observe the swerving RV with a slumped over driver. He would conduct a traffic stop at the Stafford School Board Building, located at 31 Stafford Avenue. The slumping driver was identified as Samuel Harris, 35. While conversing with Harris, Deputy Tully noticed signs of impairment. Harris would advise it was only because he was “overwhelmed,” however, became extremely nervous when the topic of drugs was brought up. Due to the signs of impairment, field sobriety tests were conducted. Harris was detained shortly afterwards.
The rolling wonder needed to be towed, so Deputy Tully conducted an inventory search. There, he would uncover more than he originally bargained for. Located inside were five firearms, numerous controlled substances including suspected fentanyl, multiple drug paraphernalia items, and a journal with names and money amounts written inside thought to be connected to recent drug transactions.
Harris was charged with driving under the influence, refusal, five counts of possession of controlled substances, five counts of possession of a firearm while in possession of controlled substances, five counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, five counts of drug trafficking, and to top it off, the traffic lane violation. While he came into Virginia with a mobile home, he would be sleeping elsewhere for a while. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Stafford County will establish the Rockhill Fire and Rescue Station along Mountain View Road near Willowmere Park, consolidating Fire Station 8 and the Rock Hill Volunteer Rescue Squad. The project, costing nearly $17 million, will include a three-bay facility designed for both career and volunteer personnel. Construction is set to begin in spring 2025.
Press Release:
A sign will soon mark the future site of Stafford County’s newest fire and rescue station. Future Station 8, the Rockhill Fire and Rescue Station, will be located along Mountain View Road, near Willowmere Park. This new facility will unite current Fire Station 8 resources and the Rock Hill Volunteer Rescue Squad, under one roof.
The location was strategically chosen for its central position within the Rock Hill District, improving response times across the area. Both Fire Station 8 and Rescue Station 8 are currently located near the edge of the district, bordering Marine Corps Base Quantico. The new, more central location of the station will allow more effective access to the station’s response area. The construction project is currently in the design phase, with plans for a groundbreaking in the spring of 2025. Access to the station will be via Mountain View Road.
This nearly $17 million project, including land acquisition and construction costs, represents a major investment by the County in public safety. The 17,000-square-foot, three-bay facility will serve both career and volunteer personnel. The bays will be bidirectional, or drive thru bays, allowing for efficient responses to emergencies.
Additionally, the Rockhill Fire and Rescue Station will be Stafford County’s first LEED-certified government building. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is the most widely recognized standard for green buildings, promoting energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings.
*”Rock Hill” concerning the electoral district is two words. “Rockhill” is one word in relation to the fire station.
Mary Washington Hospital has successfully treated its first patient using the Impella RP Flex, a heart pump that temporarily supports patients in cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure. This technology allows blood to be drawn from the heart and propelled forward, facilitating recovery or further treatment options.
Press Release:
Mary Washington Hospital interventional cardiologists have successfully treated their first patient using the Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist, one of the world’s smallest heart pumps. This groundbreaking technology provides temporary right heart mechanical circulatory support, offering more comprehensive and advanced care options to patients in the Fredericksburg region suffering from cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure.
[Image: Mary Washington Healthcare]The Impella RP Flex allows blood to be directly drawn out of the heart’s pumping chambers and propelled forward, giving the heart a chance to rest and bridging the patient to recovery or more definitive therapies. This latest iteration of the Impella RP heart pump received PMA from the U.S. FDA in October 2022 as a safe and effective treatment for cardiogenic shock caused by acute right heart failure. The Impella RP Flex is implanted percutaneously through multiple venous sites and features dual-sensor technology designed to optimize patient management.”Mary Washington Hospital’s cardiac care team continues to expand and evolve to meet the needs of our community’s cardiovascular patients,” said Dr. Ashok Prasad, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist at Mary Washington Cardiology in affiliation with Oracle Heart & Vascular. “Our health system’s ongoing investment in innovative tools and treatments like the Impella RP Flex allows us to provide the highest quality care close to home.”
Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) is at the forefront of advanced technologies for heart and vascular care, offering state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic tools and innovative treatments. The healthcare system provides a range of minimally invasive cardiac procedures and is committed to delivering top-tier, comprehensive care for individuals facing heart issues. MWHC’s team of highly skilled specialists collaboratively determine the most effective treatment options for each patient. In addition to exceptional medical care, MWHC prioritizes patient education, empowering individuals with vital knowledge on heart disease management and prevention. For more information, please visit heart.mwhc.com.
BREAKING AND ENTERING:
King Street, 10/9, 5:37 p.m. Deputy I.E. Baldi responded to a breaking and entering. The victim advised her property was unlawfully entered and a sweatshirt was stolen.
DUI:
7-Eleven, 201 Garrisonville Road, 10/9, 12:30 p.m. Deputy J.L. Jones and Deputy S.M. Eastman responded to a drunk driver complaint. The caller advised they had been following a vehicle and the driver might be intoxicated. The caller further advised the suspect driver fell asleep behind the wheel at a green light and had to forcibly be awoken. Deputies observed the suspect vehicle in the 7-Eleven parking lot with the driver asleep and his foot on the brake. When the driver woke up, deputies noticed signs of intoxication. The driver admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving; however, assumed he could not be arrested since he was on private property. He was incorrect. The driver was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content greater than.2 and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.
PUBLIC INTOXICATION:
Enterprise Rent A Car, 2875 Richmond Highway, 10/9, 7:09 a.m. Deputy J.L. Jones responded to a public intoxication call. Multiple callers advised a shoeless man, who appeared intoxicated, was walking in traffic. Deputy Jones located the suspect and discovered he had been consuming tequila prior to his journey. His journey ended with a trip to Rappahannock Regional Jail where he was charged with public intoxication and held until sober.
