On July 10, 2024, several law enforcement agencies, including the Fredericksburg Police Department, Virginia State Police, Spotsylvania Narcotics Unit, Spotsylvania Street Crimes, and the FBI Fredericksburg Regional Narcotics Task Force, arrested Tai’eric Lewis on several drug-related crimes.
The Fredericksburg Police Department conducted a long term investigation involving cocaine distribution. As a result of this investigation, search warrants were executed at three locations, one in the City of Fredericksburg and two in Spotsylvania County.
Search warrants at the three different residences led to the discovery of approximately half a kilo of cocaine, along with about $17,000 in cash and three pounds of marijuana. At another address, a stolen firearm from the City of Fredericksburg was found, along with distribution paraphernalia. Lewis’ vehicle was seized by the Fredericksburg Police Department pending forfeiture.
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Construction to install a modular roundabout at the intersection of Banks Ford and Celebrate Virginia parkways in Stafford County will begin Monday, July 22. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will start with paving, followed by assembling and installing modular roundabout pieces made from 136,090 pounds of recycled plastic. Starting Aug. 5, the intersection will temporarily become a four-way stop for about two weeks. The project aims to enhance safety and reduce vehicle collisions. The $700,000 project, funded by Stafford County, is expected to be completed by late Aug. 2024.
VDOT: Construction to install a modular roundabout at the intersection of Route 1969 (Banks Ford Parkway) and Route 1968 (Celebrate Virginia Parkway) in Stafford County will begin on Monday, July 22.
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A wanted man in Stafford was apprehended after a foot chase that ended with his fall from a fence behind a Panda Express. Derrick Eady, 22, was caught by deputies and is now held without bond on multiple charges, including obstructing justice.
Eady was wanted for Failure to Appear, and has a number of prior charges in recent years including Trespass, Obstruction of Justice, Public Intoxication, and Possession of Drugs.
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Virginia Military Institute (VMI) received 5 stars; William & Mary (W&M), University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech) all received 4.5 stars.
Money Magazine uses a unique star rating system and includes metrics like the net price of a degree, average borrowing rates, and median earnings. It also calculates "value add" to measure a school’s actual performance against predicted outcomes, assessing how effectively a college impacts graduates' success.
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Virginia State Police: The Fourth of July brings feasts, fireworks, and parties, but the Virginia State Police (VSP) is asking that it include focus and sobriety as well. Â
The 2024 summer driving season has gotten off to a deadly start, with preliminary numbers showing 13 fatalities over the Memorial Day holiday, and an additional 25 fatalities in the week following Memorial Day.
 “We want to be able to say that this was one of the safest July 4 holidays ever on Virginia’s roads,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, VSP Superintendent. “In order to do that, we are going to need all Virginians to drive sober, avoid distractions, comply with posted speed limits, and buckle up.”
 VSP recommends that if you do plan to drink at a July 4th party, plan ahead for a designated driver or make sure you have a rideshare service or taxi handy.  Public transportation is also a safe option, if available.Â
Party hosts are encouraged to serve non-alcoholic drink options and make sure guests do not drink and drive home from their event.
VSP will participate in the Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.), a national program to reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries from impaired driving, speeding, and not wearing seat belts. The statistical counting period for the Fourth of July begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 3 and ends at midnight on July 7, 2024. VSP will increase patrols, focusing on July 3 and July 7, expected to be the busiest travel days.
During the 2023 Operation CARE initiative, VSP arrested 36 drivers for operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and cited 2,051 speeders and 980 reckless drivers. 254 citations were issued to individuals for failing to buckle up, and another 74 citations for children not being properly secured in a vehicle. Troopers also cited 124 drivers for violating Virginia’s “hands free” law. Â
Virginians are also reminded to follow Virginia’s “Move Over” law. State law requires motorists to either move over a lane, or if that is not safe, slow down, for any vehicle on the shoulder with emergency markings such as flares, emergency lights, emergency triangles, or flashing lights.
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Effective July 1, 2024 new laws enacted by the Virginia General Assembly will bring several changes for DMV customers. These changes include updates to the uninsured motor vehicle fee, farm use placards, disabled parking placard duration, and manufactured home conversion procedures.
DMV offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4.
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On June 30, at 3:16 a.m., deputies were dispatched to Spotswood Drive for a domestic disturbance involving a firearm.
On arrival, deputies saw a man pointing a gun at a woman. A deputy fired his gun and struck the man.
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On June 25, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed 18 bipartisan bills aimed at enhancing support for individuals with developmental disabilities. These laws improve accessibility in education, recreation, law enforcement, and transitional services. The governor also signed a biennium budget allocating $247 million for 3,440 priority one waiver slots, increasing the total under his administration to 4,540 slots.
“I’m pleased this legislative package and our?Right Help, Right Now?plan has instituted life-changing impacts that will benefit Virginia families, this community, and transform our level of care for Virginians with developmental disabilities for decades to come,” said Governor Youngkin.
Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel said the bills will provide comprehensive support for individuals with developmental disabilities and set “the groundwork for a more inclusive and supportive future. Our goal is to ensure that every Virginian has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and independent life.”
Division Manager Jacqueline Jackson Turner from Prince William County Community Services expressed excitement for “the many people on the Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver waiting list in the priority one category who will benefit from the budgeted waiver slots over the biennium. As a result, they and their families will have access to much-needed support and assistance.” Her office is still determining the criteria and needs to handle the waiver process, which may impact their staffing levels.
The governor’s office provided a complete list of the bills signed on June 25, 2024.
Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you’re not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!
June 27 is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening Day. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an online screening tool for those who may be experiencing symptoms.
The VA website says it is the world’s leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD and traumatic stress, and explains “PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event.”
The VA reports that 23% of Veterans using VA care have had PTSD, compared to 7% of those not using VA care. In 2021, of the 6 million Veterans served by the VA Health system, about 10% of men and 19% of women were diagnosed with PTSD. The VA suggests talk therapy, medication, and other treatments are available for people experiencing PTSD.
A 2023 study published by the American Psychological Association found that veterans who received service dog placements had better emotional health, improved quality of social interactions, and lower odds of panic attacks.  K9 for Warriors shared the story of Kerry, a Virginia resident, mother, Marine veteran, and former first responder. She received  Bass, her certified service dog from K9s for Warriors, the nation’s largest shelter-to-service organization, said publicist Olivia Stern.
Kerry had many traumatic experiences in her career and found K9s For Warriors online when searching for help. The organization paired her with rescue-turned-Service Dog Bass, who is specially trained to help PTSD or other war-related traumas that afflict veterans. During their first night together, Bass woke Kerry up from a nightmare. Kerry said she and Bass are now a team that tackles everyday situations that previously seemed impossible.
The VA encourages those who may have experienced traumatic events to consider taking the self-screening test, reaching out to medical providers, and talking to friends or family. The VeteransCrisisLine is available for veterans and their families.
Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you’re not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!
