The Center Square:  “A [Stafford County] middle school chose “Palestine” as their country to represent as part of a school district-wide multicultural fair, omitting any recognition of the State of Israel – including maps.”

“The fair was recently presented by the Stafford County Public Schools “to empower multicultural awareness” for students and the community. All 33 schools in the district participated, with nearly 1,000 in attendance. Schools “were able to choose the country they wanted to represent,” according to the school district.”

“Stafford Middle School chose to represent “Palestine,” spearheaded by an English as a second language teacher. The booth included a map, religious landmarks, descriptions of traditional foods, music, clothing, and agriculture, including interactive handouts.”

“Notably absent from display was any reference to the State of Israel, including a map of the country labeled “Palestine.” The Jewish State wasn’t spotlighted by any school at the fair. Among the handouts was a coloring map of the country, known as the pre-1947 Palestine Mandate map.”

Transurban: “Transurban North America, operator of the 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes, announced today the final access points of the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension will open at 10 p.m. on December 7, 2023, ready for northbound rush hour the morning of December 8, 2023. Completion of the extension creates the longest reversible facility in the nation, with additional access and capacity improvements for the corridor underway.”

“Regional travelers will have new access to the 95 Express Lanes via a reversible ramp from Courthouse Road/Route 630 in Stafford County, and a northbound exit from and southbound entrance to I-95 general purpose lanes near Marine Corps Base Quantico. Access will also be available at the southern terminus for northbound traffic entering from Route 3 and Route 17.”

“The $670 million public-private partnership is generating an estimated 9,000 jobs, has invested over $75 million in small, disadvantaged, and minority- and women-owned businesses, and distributed grant funding to more than 80 local non-profit organizations. Delivering 66% more capacity, the Fredericksburg Extension is used by over 15% of 95 Express Lanes users—one in four of them new to the Express Lanes in the last three years.”

“Additionally, at 10 p.m. on December 7, 2023, the southbound ramp from the I-95 general-purpose lanes to the 95 Express Lanes near Opitz Boulevard Bridge project in Prince William County will be closed permanently. During daytime reversal on December 8, the new southbound Dale Boulevard ramp will open replacing the previous access point.”

The 10-mile I-95 E-ZPass lanes extension from Garrisonville Road to Route 17 on August 17, 2023. Now, drivers with three or more occupants and an E-ZPass Flex transponder affixed to their windshields may ride free on the lanes between Fredericksburg and Washington, D.C.

Vehicles with two fewer occupants and an E-ZPass Flex transponder affixed to their windshields may opt to pay a toll to use the lanes

The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is decked out for Christmas,  and its Christmas show reminds us what it means to be kind this holiday season.

The performance house is celebrating its 25 years in 2023 and is showing “Miracle on 34th Street” for its annual Christmas show. “Miracle on 34th Street” gets everyone in the holiday spirit.

The show’s main message revolves around kindness during the holiday season – something still as pertinent now as it was in 1947 when Valentine Davies created the musical.

At Riverside’s performance, the audience is first greeted by Christmas-themed decorations in the elaborate foyer, coupled with sparkling chandeliers, which add to the anticipation of the entertainment. The staff provides impeccable service and pays attention to every detail, catering to upward of 250 people at each performance.

Catherine Mayers portrayed Susan Walker, a girl whose well-meaning mother (played by Elizabeth Butler) has raised her not to believe in Santa Claus. When their lives intersect with that of Kris Kringle (played by Jim Lawson), an elderly man hired to play Santa at Macy’s in New York, Susan begins to suspect he may be the real St. Nick.

After a jealous fellow employee frames him for an assault, Kringle is placed under arrest. At the court hearing, Kringle and his attorney Fred Gaily attempt to prove that he is the real Santa Claus. The Story ends with Fred (Kevin Cleary) and Susan falling in love and living happily ever after.

The Riverside Theatre recently transitioned to a nonprofit organization to help promote, enhance, and fund education and participation in the performing arts in our region. The youth performers in “Miracle on 34th Street” reflect Riverside’s passion for encouraging young people to become involved in the performing Arts.

Indeed, it hosts the Annual Riverside Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre and provides youth summer performing arts camps free of charge to economically disadvantaged children.

“Miracle on 34th Street” will be performed from now until Dec. 31, 2023. Tickets are available from the theatre’s website riversidedt.com, or by calling the box office at 540-370-4300. Prices range between $60 and $75 for adults and $55 to $70 for children aged 3 to 12.

The theatre is at 95 Riverside Parkway in Stafford County.

Facebook: “The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade has been a fixture in the community for 76 years. The parade takes place [Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m.]. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, December 2.”

“The parade has become one of the largest holiday parades in Northern Virginia with over 100 units-marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons and more. We have approximately 2,000 participants and over 300 volunteers.”

“The parade sets the mood for the holiday season and has become a family tradition with multiple generations lined up to watch. Visit our website for more details and maps of the parade route to find your seats.”

Update on I-95 tractor-trailer crash

Virginia State Police: At 9:20 p.m., Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 95 at the 143 mile-marker in Stafford County. A tractor-trailer was entering southbound I95 when it overturned on the entrance ramp and came to rest on its driver’s side, blocking the entrance ramp as well as the right lane. As the tractor-trailer overturned it collided with a second tractor-trailer that was traveling southbound. The driver of the overturned tractor-trailer suffered minor injuries and was transported to Stafford Hospital for treatment. The driver of the second tractor-trailer was not injured. All southbound lanes of I-95 were blocked for approximately 1 hour due to debris and fluid spill. Traffic was able to get by on the left shoulder.

Update on fuel spill Route 1 and Hospital Center Boulevard

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: At approximately 6:20 p.m. deputies located gasoline being leaked onto the roadway. A trailer carrying gallons of gasoline was actively leaking. Due to the leak, there were reports of some vehicles losing control of their vehicle; however, there was no injuries. Hospital Center Boulevard between Richmond Highway and Wyche Road, as well as, Richmond Highway between Centreport Parkway and Hospital Center Boulevard were closed down due to the hazardous conditions. Cleanup was properly executed and the roadway was reopened at approximately 2:47 a.m.

Original post

Two incidents in Stafford County tonight are keeping police and highway crews busy.

A tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 95 South blocked all travel lanes at milepost 143 Garrisonville at about 10 p.m. Traffic is getting by on highway shoulders while crews work to clean up the mess.

We don’t have any word yet of injuries or charges filed in the crash.

Meanwhile, about four miles, a significant fuel spill closed Route 1 at Stafford Hospital Boulevard, near the county hospital, just before 7 p.m. Crews were working to clean up the fuel spill, according to Stafford Sheriff’s Maj. Shawn Kimmitz.

We’ll update this post when we have more information about these incidents. Stay tuned.

Prince William Police Department: “Attempted Armed Robbery | Malicious Wounding – On November 21, officers concluded an investigation into an attempted robbery that was reported to have occurred in the 8800 block of Screech Owl Court in Gainesville on November 10 at around 12:30 a.m.”

“The investigation revealed the victim, identified as a 17-year-old male juvenile, was approached by a male acquaintance, identified as the accused. During the encounter, the accused brandished a firearm and demanded the victim’s property. The accused then fled towards a waiting vehicle being driven by a separate male juvenile acquaintance. The victim reported the incident to a 21-year-old family member, who then began to walk towards the vehicle which was parked nearby.”

“As the suspects began driving out of the area, multiple rounds were fired from the vehicle, grazing the 21-year-old male victim. The suspects fled the area, and the victims eventually contacted the police. Minor injuries were reported, and no property was reported missing. While investigating the incident, officers determined the firearm used was a BB gun and officers identified both suspects as 15-year-old male juveniles. On November 21, following the investigation, both 15-year-old male juveniles, were arrested.”

“Arrested on November 21: [Juveniles] Two 15-year-old male juveniles of Gainesville. Both charged with attempted robbery and malicious wounding. Court Date: Pending | Status: Held at the Juvenile Detention Center.”

Virginia Railway Express: “Tickets for the Santa Train will be available starting Monday, November 27 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets can be purchased for $5 (cash or check) or $6 (credit card).”

“For a list of in-person ticket sales locations, please visit the following link.”

Each year, the tickets sell out in minutes. Santa trains will run on Saturday, December 9, 2023, on both the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines.

I-95 Northbound and Southbound: Exit 104 (Carmel Church): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Alternating lane closures for bridge maintenance work at mile marker 103.

• Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Alternating lane closures for bridge maintenance work at mile marker 126.
• Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 133 (Route 17): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Alternating lane closures for bridge maintenance work at mile marker 132.

I-95 Northbound: Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 133 (Route 17): Tuesday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure in the northbound local lanes for paving at mile markers 130-131.

• Exit 133 (Route 17) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway): Wednesday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 134-136. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 140 (Stafford): Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 136-137. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Exit 140 (Stafford) to Exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville): Single lane closure at mile markers 140-142 for construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension on the following days and times:
• Tuesday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m., Wednesday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m.

I-95 Southbound: Exit 148 (Quantico) to Exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville)
Tuesday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. and Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Varying single and double lane closures with intermittent traffic stops at mile markers 148-146 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension construction.

• 9 p.m. – Single lane closed, 10 p.m. – Two lanes closed, Midnight – 3 a.m. Full intermittent traffic stops for up to 30 min. intervals, 10 a.m. – All lanes open except Friday, when all lanes reopen by 6 a.m. and on Saturday when all lanes reopen by 7 a.m.
• Exit 140 (Stafford) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway): Tuesday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. and Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Varying single and double lane closures with intermittent traffic stops at mile markers 140-138 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension construction.
• 9 p.m. – Single lane closed, 10 p.m. – Two lanes closed, Midnight – 3 a.m. Full intermittent traffic stops for up to 30 min. intervals, 10 a.m. – All lanes open except Friday, when all lanes reopen by 6 a.m. and on Saturday when all lanes reopen by 7 a.m.
• Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 133 (Route 17): Tuesday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.and Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 135-133 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension construction.

Stafford County: Route 610 (Garrisonville Road): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Mobile lane closures for pavement marking work between Mine Road and Joshua Road.

• Courthouse Road/Hospital Center Boulevard: Wednesday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Single lane closure between Route 1 and Austin Ridge Drive. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Old Courthouse Road: Wednesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Alternating lane closure between Wyche Road and Route 1 with one-way, alternating traffic directed by a flagging crew. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

—Virginia Department of Transportation