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.
Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee
Starting July 1, 2024, the DMV will no longer collect the Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee. All vehicles registered in Virginia must have insurance that meets the state’s liability limits. Customers must provide proof of insurance when requested.
Farm Use Placards
Permanent DMV-issued farm placards will be required for unregistered farm use panel trucks, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. These $15 placards are valid for the lifetime of the vehicle and are non-transferable. An additional $15 may be required if the vehicle does not already have a title. Placard transactions are not available online and must be completed at a local DMV Select or full-service customer service center. More details are available on the DMV website.
Disabled Parking Placards
From July 1, 2024, there will be no fee for disabled parking placards. Temporary placards will now be valid for up to 12 months if certified by a medical provider. Applicants must submit a completed Disabled Parking Plates or Placard Application by mail or at a local DMV Select.
Manufactured Home Conversion
Manufactured homeowners not listed on the title can submit legal documents establishing ownership. If ownership was transferred indirectly, proof of successive ownership must be provided. Documentation proving that any existing lien on the manufactured home has been released is also required.
Further details are available at the Virginia DMV’s website.
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!
The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 57th Session graduated on June 21, 2024, at Gainesville High School.
Prince William County Police Department: The class consisted of nine Prince William County Police officers and two Prince William County Sheriff’s deputies. They completed a 24-week training course covering firearms, use-of-force decision-making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques, criminal investigation, and crash investigation.
The graduating personnel of the Prince William County Police Department are Angela L. Brown, Justin D. Brown, Megan K. Chapman, Annaliese R. Holahan, Alexander I. Jones
Taylor P. Mountjoy, Samuel G. Perry, Carlos J. Oliveras Quinones, and Bradley C. Shirley. From the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office, graduates are Phillip L. Dappen and
Leonardo A. Lopez Figueroa.
Biographies of the graduates are available online. The department encourages any interested individuals to contact the Prince William County Police Personnel Bureau at (703) 792-6580 or visit the department’s website.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and Virginia State Police (VSP) urge farmers to ensure their farm-use vehicles comply with a new law effective July 1, 2024. The law mandates unregistered farm-use vehicles display a DMV-issued permanent farm-use placard on the front and back of panel trucks, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 7,500 pounds.
Unofficial tags will be unacceptable starting July 1, 2024. “As farm vehicles are key to agricultural productivity, it is important that Virginia farmers can continue to use them in their operations while preventing farm use tags from being used on other vehicles inappropriately,” said VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie. “We hope those who have not already done so will apply for their DMV-issued permanent farm use tag today.” A first violation is punishable by a fine of not more than $250, a second or subsequent violation shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $250.
Applications and a $15 fee must be submitted at DMV Select or full-service locations. Information about the farm location, size, and commodities, along with signed statements of exempt use and insurance, is required. Placards are non-transferable and must be returned within 30 days if the vehicle is sold or no longer used for exempt purposes.
The law, passed in 2023, included a one-year grace period. Detailed information is available online.
