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!

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Announces Route for Annual Veteran’s Day Procession

By Kelly Sienkowski

Fredericksburg will host its annual Veteran’s Day procession on Monday, November 11 at 10 a.m. The walk will begin at Memorial Park (also known as Kenmore Park) on Kenmore Avenue and end at the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial on George Street.

The procession will travel down Washington Avenue from Mary Ball Street to George Street, ending around 10:30. The Veteran’s Day Commemoration will begin at 10:45 at the War Memorial. Streets will not be closed for the procession, but a rolling police escort will accompany the walkers.

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Fairfax

Hayfield High School Football Banned from 2024 and 2025 Playoffs Amid Recruitment Probe

By Kelly Sienkowski

“The Virginia High School League has banned Hayfield High School’s football team from the 2024 and 2025 postseasons, according to a source deeply familiar with the situation,” reports InsideNova.

Hayfield High School’s football team was previously investigated for possible recruitment violations. Fairfax County Schools found no violations occurred, but the Virginia High School League has the authority to complete its own investigation.

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News

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

By Kelly Sienkowski
(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.

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Fredericksburg

Kaine, Vindman Visit Fredericksburg Before Election Day

By Kelly Sienkowski

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.

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Fredericksburg

Grounds for Arrest: Fredericksburg Man Smashes Windows at Hyperion Espresso

By Kelly Sienkowski
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.

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News

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

By Kelly Sienkowski
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.

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News

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

By Kelly Sienkowski

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.”

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News

Shooting Victim Walks Into Fredericksburg Police Station as Residents Report Gunshots

By Kelly Sienkowski

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.

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