Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1776, Henrico County's sheriff read the Declaration of Independence out loud in front of the county courthouse, about one month after the document had been adopted by the Continental Congress.

Elected officials want to know why a man who allegedly attempted to abduct a preschooler at a Fairfax County shopping mall was on the streets at the time instead of in custody. The Virginia Flyover has details in our Top Stories.

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Leaders Want Answers After Attempted Abduction

Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares called for an investigation of Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano after the parents of a three-year-old girl thwarted an alleged abduction attempt.

The kidnapping suspect, 26-year-old Andres Caceres Jaldin, had been released from custody just a few days before the incident at Fair Oaks Mall last month. He is said to have been involved in more than 30 criminal cases in the county.

"There is a shocking and unforgivable pattern in Fairfax County of releasing criminals back onto Virginia's streets instead of keeping them behind bars," Youngkin wrote. "The Commonwealth's Attorney cares more about protecting criminals than about keeping children safe."

Miyares said that "Fairfax families do not deserve to live in a climate of fear because one person refuses to do his job."

Prison Program Is Expanding

The Department of Corrections said it will implement its Virginia Model for handling prisoners at three more facilities after the approach helped to improve inmate behavior at the state's Lawrenceville Correctional Center.

The department said the model is "designed to foster a culture of accountability, personal investment, and community by aligning meaningful incentives with consistent, effective sanctions."

The Virginia Model will be implemented at Buckingham Correctional Center, Dillwyn Correctional Center, and Cluster S1 at Greensville Correctional Center beginning next month.

Man Charged with Attempted Child Exploitation

Authorities in Washington County charged a Georgia man with 40 counts of taking indecent liberties with children and one count of attempted abduction and kidnapping after he came to the region with the apparent intention of meeting an underage girl.

William Phillip Stevens, 35, allegedly drove to Virginia "believing that he would be picking up a juvenile female and returning to Georgia with her," authorities said.

Instead, he was taken into custody by authorities in a secluded area of the county where he had planned to meet the girl.

Stevens is being held in Abingdon without bond as the investigation continues.

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➤ Danville: A fundraiser for City Councilman Lee Vogler has received more than $55,000, with a goal of raising $100,000. Vogler is recovering after being attacked at his workplace and set on fire last week. (Details)

➤ Richmond: The city posted “no loitering” signs on Lee Bridge in an attempt to stop people from gathering to watch concerts at the newly opened Allianz Amphitheater. (More)

➤ Allentown, Pa.: President Trump suggested that he would endorse Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in her gubernatorial bid. It's unclear whether he has officially done so. He commented, "I think she’s got a tough race." (Details)

➤ Charlottesville: The University of Virginia has taken charge of the building that used to house the Federal Executive Institute, which was shuttered earlier this year. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: Four people were hospitalized after a shooting incident. Police are investigating, but have not announced the names of any suspects or a motive. (Details)

➤ Galax: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) made emergency repairs to a road that washed out twice last week. A VDOT worker urged residents to be patient while the repairs are implemented. (More)

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➤ UVA swimmers finished the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore with 13 medals. Alumnae Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass contributed record-breaking performances. (Details)

➤ The Washington, D.C. Sports Hall of Fame welcomed a loaded 2025 class. Inductees included USWNT soccer star Mia Hamm, Georgetown basketball legend Alonzo Mourning, and WNBA standout Alana Beard. (More)

➤ Richmond hosted the 34th annual Inner City Classic baseball tournament at Dorey Park. Area youth competed in what's called the Black World Series. (Details)

Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ The average price of a gallon of gas jumped 10 cents statewide last week, according to the tracking site GasBuddy. Drivers paid $3.08 per gallon yesterday, which is 3.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 22.4 cents less than at this time last year. (Details)

➤ The Dealer Institute, a partnership between Richard Bland College and Live! Casino and Hotel to train casino workers, is now scheduled to open on Sept. 8. The casino itself is supposed to open in Petersburg in 2027. (Details)

➤ Alexandra B. Cunningham, a partner at the law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth, was selected for a 2025 Women in Leadership Award presented by Virginia Business magazine. (More)

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➤ Loudoun County is the highest-earning in the Commonwealth, according to the website Stacker. Falls Church, Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Stafford County rounded out the top 5. (Details)

➤ The Dowdy family in Henrico County acted to protect historic Holly Springs in Varina by placing 139 acres under a conservation and historic preservation easement. The action ensures the land will remain undeveloped. (More)

➤ Virginia's wet summer weather didn't dampen the annual watermelon crop, according to the Virginia Farm Bureau. (More)

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