Friday, February 28, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1864, the Union military launched the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid, an attempt to infiltrate Richmond. The advance was stopped, and Col. Ulric Dahlgren was killed. He was found to be carrying detailed plans to burn the city and assassinate Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, The Virginia Flyover has plenty of suggestions. Be sure to check out Top Stories, Sports, and Et Cetera for details about some of the happenings.

We’re sponsored today by 4Patriots, a trusted provider of emergency preparedness solutions. In this edition, they offer high-quality survival food kits.

Memorial Service for Fallen Officers

A funeral service for two Virginia Beach police officers killed in the line of duty is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Rock Church.

The officers, 25-year-old Cameron Girvin and 30-year-old Christopher Reese, were shot and killed after making a routine traffic stop last weekend.

The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his body was found nearby. Neither officer used his weapon during the attack.

Girvin had been with the force since 2020, and Reese joined in 2022. The Virginia Beach Police Department posted fundraising information for the families of both officers and is encouraging donations in their memory to the Virginia Beach Police Foundation.

New Faces Enter GOP Primary

The June 17 Republican primary for governor has drawn a crowd, with three candidates now in the race.

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was the only announced candidate until this week. She retains the strong support of term-limited Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who wrote that he intends to “stand with her every step of the way as our party unites and she wins in November.”

Earle-Sears is being challenged by former Del. Dave LaRock, a Loudoun County conservative who was defeated in a 2023 GOP primary for state senate. He said he is running as a “pro-Trump candidate” whose priorities include establishing a Virginia Department of Government Efficiency similar to Elon Musk’s federal effort.

Former State Senator Amanda Chase has also thrown her hat in the ring. “We need ‘Trump in heels’ if we’re going to defeat Abigail Spanberger in November,” she said. Chase previously launched a bid for governor in 2020, but the Republican nomination went to Youngkin.

Spanberger, a former member of Congress, is the only Democrat in the field so far, although Rep. Bobby Scott may make a bid.

Things to Do in Virginia This Weekend

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, options abound for things to do across the Commonwealth this weekend.

Salem has sports. The ODAC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Civic Center is indoors, while Virginia Tech hosts the Hokie Invite softball tournament at the Moyer Sports Complex.

Elsewhere, UVA softball hosts the Party at Palmer Invitational, and the UVA men’s basketball team welcomes Clemson to Charlottesville. In Blacksburg, the Hokies host Syracuse in men’s basketball.

On Saturday, the Virginia National Ballet presents Snow White in Tysons, while hobbyists can visit a card and collectibles show in Herndon. The Berglund Center in Roanoke offers Dinosaur Adventure all weekend.

Then, on Sunday, Haymarket’s Sarah Everhardt, who recently won bronze at an international competition, will skate with other stars in Legacy on Ice in D.C. to benefit the families of ice skaters who died in last month’s air collision over the Potomac.

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➤ Statewide: The Virginia Board of Education said it will impose more rigorous proficiency standards this year. The goal is to align with the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which has frequently indicated that Commonwealth students are lagging behind those in other states. (Details)

➤ Caroline County and Farmville: The two immigration detention facilities in Virginia are currently holding more people than they have at any time since 2020. One is at 80% capacity, the other at 61%. Combined, they can hold more than 1,000 people. (More)

➤ Midlothian: Rep. Rob Wittman was in Washington, D.C., for votes this week. Back in his district, nearly 200 people attended a contentious meeting on Wednesday hosted by a staffer for the Republican congressman. (Details)

➤ Arlington: The county’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget seeks to raise revenues by boosting taxes on meals and increasing the real estate tax by 1 cent per $100 of assessed value. The County Board is scheduled to vote on the budget in April. (More)

➤ Richmond: Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Lt. Col. Matthew Hanley to be superintendent of the Virginia State Police. Hanley joined the force in 1993 and was appointed to serve as the Interim Superintendent when Gary Settle announced his retirement last year. (More)

➤ Fairfax County: A third man pleaded guilty to participating in the operation of a high-end brothel. James Lee could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison in April. (Details)

➤ The Virginia High School League championships for gymnastics, swimming, and wrestling are happening at sites across the Commonwealth through the weekend. They were postponed last week by poor weather. (See Schedule)

➤ Virginia Tech’s baseball team plays in the Keith LeClair Classic this weekend along with Indiana State, Kent State, and East Carolina. (Details)

➤ UVA’s baseball team, ranked No. 10 in the nation, hosts a three-game series with Dartmouth. (More)

➤ James Madison, leading the Sun Belt Conference in men’s basketball, puts a five-game winning streak on the line when it visits Texas State tonight. (Details)

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➤ V2X, a Reston-based contractor, has been awarded a $100 million contract to provide the FBI with aviation maintenance and support services. (Details)

➤ Town Center of Virginia Beach will reportedly fill a vacant space by adding Golf Galaxy and, perhaps, Trader Joe’s. (More)

➤ The Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce plans to host an “Ask the Expert” webinar on March 4 to detail how owners can ICE-proof their businesses in light of new immigration enforcement policies. (Register)

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➤ A trail camera at the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge recently captured three coyotes participating in what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jokingly called a “screaming contest.” (Watch Video)

➤ The Louisa County Animal Shelter is at capacity. To free up space, it is offering free adoptions on all animals. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech’s new Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard in Alexandria is hosting its grand opening celebration today. An open house begins at 11:45 a.m. (More)

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