Threats against public officials, racial slurs, the impact the government shutdown is having on federal workers have made national headlines in recent months — are being felt on a local level in Stafford County. Board Chair Deuntay Diggs said another supervisor, whom he didn’t name, told him about receiving threats from constituents to the point the board member doesn’t feel safe leaving the house. Another national issue hit home after a Stafford resident spoke during the citizen comment portion of the meeting. He was dressed as the villain Shredder from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and offered what’s become a regular, and bizarre, rant, about there being too many rights for transgender students. Supervisor Monica Gary said she appreciated the different costumes, especially ones showing muscle mass as she’s a body builder herself. But then, she said as the mother of seven, including four who still live at home, she’s hearing them talk about videos of the person. Diggs agreed. He said people are entitled to different beliefs, but should be “mindful” that when they speak during public comment, they may impact others who are listening.

An Albemarle County grand jury issued three indictments Monday, charging the county’s former registrar with felony counts alleging forgery and embezzlement. A warrant for Lauren Eddy’s arrest was issued Thursday morning. Eddy resigned in August amid an investigation into her use of county-issued purchasing cards, also known as P-cards. She had worked in the registrar’s office for roughly 17 years and had served as the registrar and director of elections for roughly three of those. One of Eddy’s charges is a count of forging a public document, a Class 4 felony under Virginia law.

The newspaper industry has endured a tough spell. In the last two decades, and for a multitude of reasons, thousands of outlets have shuttered and thousands of journalists were put out of work, leaving numerous places nationwide without robust coverage. When newspapers close, communities lose a thread that ties them together with information about their government, elections, education, crime and community events. Shining a spotlight on these important functions is one purpose of National Newspaper Week (Oct. 5-11), which aims to highlight the value of local journalism to the public.

If you enjoy humor found in unusual places … if you enjoy sorting through public documents … if you enjoy bluegrass music, then this show might just be for you. The name of the show is FOIA Love, named not about any person despite the pun but for the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, used by reporters and other members of the public to get copies and disclosure of government records. Comedy is Curtis Raye’s first passion. And he used to live in Washington, D.C., so he’s always been fascinated by public records and thought they would be good source material for the comedy. Spoiler alert: They are.