Kelly Sienkowski, Author at Potomac Local News

U.S. House Speaker Joins Anderson, Youngkin for Final Election Rally

Published November 5, 2024 at 7:41AM

(Photo | X @GlennYoungkin)

Derrick Anderson (R), who is running for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, held a rally in Spotsylvania with Governor Glenn Youngkin and Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The speakers focused on getting out to vote on Election Day, Nov. 5, and encouraging friends and family to ensure they also vote.

One volunteer, Marie, who reportedly wrote thousands of postcards supporting Anderson, fainted during the rally. According to other attendees, both Youngkin and Johnson hopped down from the stage to assist her.

Fredericksburg

Kaine, Vindman Visit Fredericksburg Before Election Day

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 5, 2024 at 7:39AM

On Monday, November 4, Senator Tim Kaine (D) and Eugene Vindman spoke briefly to a small gathering in downtown Fredericksburg. Kaine is running again for Virginia Senate, and Vindman, a Democrat, is for the 7th Congressional District.

Kaine said, “Virginia is going to send a message,” noting that the state is often among the first to report election results and saying, “Virginia’s looking solid for Kamala.” Kaine noted that his campaign has held around 220 events this season, not including interviews, fundraisers, and Senate duties.

Fredericksburg

Grounds for Arrest: Fredericksburg Man Smashes Windows at Hyperion Espresso

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 4, 2024 at 8:27PM

Roger Ruffner

Early Monday morning, Fredericksburg Police responded to reports of a break-in at Hyperion Espresso, where a man allegedly smashed windows to enter the coffee shop.

According to the report, 66-year-old Roger Ruffner, dressed in a trash bag and armed with a plastic pole and broomstick, claimed he needed to make himself a cup of coffee and broke the window to protect himself, believing he was being followed. Ruffner was taken into custody on charges of breaking and entering to commit larceny and felony vandalism and is currently held without bond.

Fredericksburg

Weekend Snapshot: Fall in Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 3, 2024 at 2:47PM

Pumpkin Island returned again this year, visible from the Canal Path. For several years, pumpkins have mysteriously appeared on an island in the Rappahannock River.

Weekend Snapshot: Photographs from around Fredericksburg November 1-3, 2024

News

Stafford Sheriff Seeks Public’s Help in Hit-and-Run: Two Pedestrians Seriously Injured, Vehicle Fled Scene

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 2, 2024 at 12:06PM | Updated November 2, 2024 at 9:04PM

The scene shortly after the accident {Photo | Aya Karouane)

Update Nov. 02, 9 p.m.: Sarah and Tony Lopez were among the first to drive by the scene of the accident. Sarah said she and her husband pulled up at the intersection on a motorcycle and ” I immediately saw a motionless body on the ground in the middle of the intersection, a very damaged shopping cart nearby, and broken glass. It was a really dark scene. I could immediately see that his limbs didn’t look uninjured but I had no idea how extensive it was.”

They called 911, and Tony immediately ran over to start rendering aid and CPR to the victim. As he did, the other victim approached and started crying, praying, and “begging for his friend to wake up.” Sarah stayed on the line with 911 while Tony began CPR and helped resuscitate the first victim.

News

Stafford Invites Public to Connect with Deputies at October’s Coffee with a Cop

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 29, 2024 at 1:23PM

Stafford County’s Sheriffs will host Coffee with a Cop on October 30 at The Grounds Coffeehouse from 9 – 11 a.m.

The Coffee with a Cop program is a free, public event that allows community members to ask questions or have casual conversations with deputies. Spokesperson Ryan Wilbur said, “The goal has been and will always be to build a meaningful relationship with deputies and community members.”

News

Shooting Victim Walks Into Fredericksburg Police Station as Residents Report Gunshots

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 29, 2024 at 12:56PM

Fredericksburg City Police:

Yesterday, October 28, 2024 at approximately 7:00 p.m., an individual entered the Fredericksburg Police Department lobby and notified the E-911 center that he had been shot. Officers responded to the lobby and immediately provided lifesaving measures until EMS arrived and transported the male to a nearby hospital.

Fredericksburg

Weekend Snapshot: Treats in the Streets

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 26, 2024 at 2:17PM

Fredericksburg’s streets were full of costumed children (and adults) for the annual Treats in the Streets.

Fredericksburg has hosted this event since 2016, where families are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes and stroll downtown, stopping at participating businesses to collect treats, toys, books, and gifts.

Features

From Sawdust to Scare Tactics: Stafford High Students Build Thrills at Fredericksburg’s Haunted Attraction

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 24, 2024 at 9:00AM

From chisels to chills, Stafford High School’s (SHS) carpentry students have found a new way to haunt locals with their talent.

The Fredericksburg Fairgrounds’ upcoming Dead Whispers Haunted Attraction will feature a haunted maze, which is entirely the work of these budding carpenters. Led by carpentry teacher Dan Harding, the students have spent weeks constructing the maze, which adds a new element of scare and excitement to the Halloween event.

News

Weekend Events: Stafford County Fair and FredNats FallFest

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 19, 2024 at 12:02PM

The annual Stafford County Agricultural and Homemaking Fair is this weekend, October 17 through 20. The fair is located at University of Mary Washington’s Stafford Campus, 121 University Boulevard. The fair is open Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m. In addition to vendors, rides, and carnival treats, Saturday and Sunday will feature Children’s Power Wheel Derbies and Pedal Tractor Pulls.

Next week, the Fredericksburg Nationals will host FredNats Fall Fest on Oct. 25. The family event is free to attend, but parking is $6 per vehicle. In addition to a pumpkin carving contest, the stadium will feature arts and crafts, fall-themed foods, goats, and trick or treating on the concourse. Pumpkins must be labeled with contact information, carved and dropped off during the week for the competition. Costumes are encouraged. FredNats Fall Fest is open from 6 to 9 p.m.