Author: Kelly Sienkowski

I'm the Fredericksburg Regional Editor, covering Stafford and Fredericksburg. If you have tips, story ideas, or news, send me an email!

Features

UMW Basketball Champ to Be Celebrated City-wide Saturday; Kahn Named National Coach of the Year

By Kelly Sienkowski
UMW Head Coach Marcus Kahn talks with players during a timeout in the Eagles’ NCAA Sectional win over Wisconsin–La Crosse. Photo by Kaitlynn Kimball.

The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team will be honored with a city-wide celebration this weekend following its historic NCAA Division III national championship. The university’s Fan Fest is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Anderson Center on the Fredericksburg campus, with a team trolley traveling through downtown ahead of the event.

The celebration will include fan activities, food trucks, and opportunities for the public to meet players and celebrate the title.

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Features

From Elementary School Courts to National Title Game: Patriot High Trio Fuels Mary Washington’s Historic Run

By Kelly Sienkowski
Mens Basketball - Sweet Sixteen

The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team is making history. For the first time in program history, the Eagles are heading to the NCAA Division III national championship, set for Sunday, April 5, in Indianapolis.

A big part of this story is the remarkable bond among three players: juniors Kaden Bates, Jay Randall, and freshman Ethan Kacou. All three share roots that trace back to Patriot High School in Bristow, Virginia. For Kaden and Jay, their connection goes even further—they’ve been playing basketball together since elementary school.

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Features

Manassas Young Marines March to the Top: Division 1 Unit of the Year Celebrates Leadership, Service, and Family

By Kelly Sienkowski
[Photo: Manassas Young Marines Facebook page]

The Manassas Young Marines, a dedicated unit of the national youth development program, has just been named Division 1 Unit of the Year—a testament to years of hard work, heart, and community impact.

The national Young Marines is a nonprofit youth education and service program open to boys and girls ages 8 through high school graduation (or age 18+). It emphasizes character building, leadership, discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to drug-free, healthy living—drawing inspiration from Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, without requiring any military family background or pushing enlistment.

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Features

Planet Novak Lands in Spotsylvania Towne Center

By Kelly Sienkowski

A new arcade in Spotsylvania Towne Centre is flipping the script on traditional gaming — replacing joysticks and tokens with skill-based claw machines designed to let players walk away winners.

Planet Novak, a claw-style arcade featuring nearly 50 prize machines, opened Nov. 1 across from Build-A-Bear and near the children’s play area.

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Stafford

A Gaggle of Giggles: Stafford Mom Opens Silly Goose Imagination Village

By Kelly Sienkowski

A new imagination-based play space has landed in Stafford, created by a mom who saw a gap—and decided to fill it.

Silly Goose Imagination Village in North Stafford was founded by Ellen Devine, who moved to the area in 2024 and quickly noticed a lack of activities for her youngest child. While she frequented local libraries and restaurants with play areas, Devine said she “craved…a comfortable place to connect with people on a regular basis.”

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Stafford

Stafford’s House of Delegates Candidates: Balancing State Oversight and Local Authority

By Kelly Sienkowski

This fall, Stafford voters will head to the polls to elect their representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates. All 100 seats are on the ballot, including Stafford’s 23rd, 64th, and 65th districts. Potomac Local News continues to shine the Spotlight on our local elections, inviting all of the candidates from Districts 23, 64, and 65 to a virtual interview with the same five questions; their answers have been condensed into a series of articles.

The videos are available here.  This is the final article in our five-part series. 

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Stafford

Stafford’s House of Delegates Candidates: Local Revenue and Veterans’ Tax Exemptions

By Kelly Sienkowski

*Correction: The wrong question was listed when this article was published. The correct question has been updated below.

This fall, Stafford voters will head to the polls to elect their representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates. All 100 seats are on the ballot, including Stafford’s 23rd, 64th, and 65th districts. Potomac Local News continues to shine the Spotlight on our local elections, inviting all of the candidates from Districts 23, 64, and 65 to a virtual interview with the same five questions; their answers have been condensed into a series of articles.

Go to Stafford’s House of Delegates Candidates: Local Revenue and Veterans’ Tax Exemptions Read more
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