Christopher Hirons, Author at Potomac Local News

Fredericksburg to furlough city employees, reduce pay

Published April 28, 2020 at 9:14PM

Frederickburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw

As she stood on the front porch of her Fredericksburg home, Mayor Mary Kathrine Greenlaw delivered some grim news earlier this month in a video posted to the city’s YouTube page as the city battles the financial strain of the coronavirus pandemic.

Greenlaw announced that the city would be furloughing roughly 41 city employees effective May 2. Twenty-eight of whom are currently listed as part-time employees, while 13 full-time employees will, unfortunately, be furloughed as well.

News

‘Flushable’ wipes are clogging sewer pipes in Prince William

By Christopher Hirons

Published April 23, 2020 at 1:59PM

As toilet paper shelves sit empty, flushable wipes are in demand across the region. The one catch is that the wipes aren’t supposed to end up in the sewer.

Those ‘flushable wipes’ that residents are sending down the toilet are starting to clog the system.

News

Fxbg, Stafford school superintendents talk online learning amid coronavirus outbreak

By Christopher Hirons

Published April 6, 2020 at 7:00AM

Surrounded by Marvel action figures and posters on the bedroom wall behind him, all while sitting in the comfort of his own home, Del. Josh Cole (D-28, Fredericksburg, Stafford) hosted a virtual town hall Wednesday evening with Stafford County Schools Superintendent Scott Kizner and Fredericksburg City Public Schools Superintendent Marceline Catlett.

Both superintendents answered questions from the public about each school systems’ plan to continue educating its students from home after the coronavirus closed school buildings statewide until at least June 10.

News

Stafford ready to move classes online, drop-off assignments at home in wake of coronavirus

By Christopher Hirons

Published March 11, 2020 at 5:09PM | Updated March 11, 2020 at 5:41PM

Kizner [Photo: Susie Webb]

Tapping his foot once, twice, and third time against the rough grey carpet in the School Board chambers, Stafford County Schools superintendent Scott Kizner looked back at the small crowd that faced the School Board meeting Tuesday night.

Immediately after his glance back, Kizner calmly addressed the School Board on his staff’s response to the ongoing fears of the spread of the Coronavirus.

News

FredNats announce clear-bag policy, a rarity in MiLB

By Christopher Hirons

Published February 23, 2020 at 11:47PM

Nick Hall, executive vice president and general manager of the Fredericksburg nationals holds up a team jersey. [Photo: Fredericksburg Nationals Facebook page]

With Opening Day on the horizon, fans around the Fredericksburg region are getting ready to welcome in the newly formed Fredericksburg Nationals at their new ballpark on Thursday, April 23.

When preparing to spend your evening at the ballpark, keep in mind the team’s latest backpack policy which will be in effect come Opening Day.

News

Original | Stafford schools’ 4th superintendent in 10 years announces resignation

By Christopher Hirons

Published January 28, 2020 at 11:40PM | Updated February 2, 2020 at 9:32PM

Kizner [Photo: Susie Webb]

Stafford County Schools superintendent Dr. Scott Kizner announced that he will resign from his position just two-and-a-half years after taking the reins. He will step down about a year from now.

Kizner, 62, announced his decision with a statement he wrote prior to the School Board meeting on Tuesday night.

News

Stafford bans professional photographers from school football games

By Christopher Hirons

Published September 12, 2019 at 7:10PM | Updated September 13, 2019 at 10:03AM

A new policy from Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Kizner means they can’t take pictures of athletes during school sporting events.

Professional photographers Sandie Waters and Jen Mulenbruck are the inferred subjects of the new policy. The duo had been hired to take photos of athletics teams at Stafford and Colonial Forge high schools, respectively. They’ve been shooting team photos since 2013.

Originals

Stafford to purchase 8 trailers for Ferry Farm Elementary School

By Christopher Hirons

Published July 14, 2019 at 10:13PM | Updated July 15, 2019 at 5:20PM

STAFFORD — Starting in October, Ferry Farm Elementary School will be home to eight modular classrooms that will not be built with restrooms.

It is the first time trailers will be used as classrooms in Stafford County.

News

Construction to begin on Fredericksburg’s new stadium

By Christopher Hirons

Published July 1, 2019 at 9:39AM | Updated July 1, 2019 at 10:33AM

FREDERICKSBURG — Fredericksburg baseball fans are one step closer to seeing Minor League Baseball in their city — construction on the new stadium is set to begin in July.

Currently, the site stands dormant with rocks, trees, dirt, and even a local business sign that needs to be excavated before construction can begin.

News

Stafford moves ahead with a plan to borrow cash for $180 million in road fixes

By Christopher Hirons

Published June 23, 2019 at 10:03PM

STAFFORD — Many of Stafford County’s two-lane rural roads date back 70 years, with narrow lanes, no shoulders, and sharp curves.

Now county residents will have the opportunity to authorize the Stafford Board of Supervisors to borrow cash to fix some of them. Supervisors voted to move forward with a plan to hold a referendum on the November ballot that, if approved, would allow officials to borrow up to $70 million for transportation fixes.