The University of Mary Washington will conduct a test of its UMW Alert system on Monday, August 19 at 1 p.m., with sirens and test messages audible on and near the Fredericksburg campus.
This is a follow-up summer test that will focus solely on the area warning system and will not include other communication channels, like emails or text messages.
A comprehensive test, including all communication methods, is scheduled for October 17 during the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. UMW Alerts, which also relays National Weather Service warnings, automatically enrolls students, faculty, and staff, with updates managed through the Emergency Alerts website.
University of Mary Washington:Â
The University of Mary Washington will test the area warning system of the UMW Alert system on Monday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. Anyone on or near the Fredericksburg campus may hear sirens and test messages at this time.
This follow-up summer test is not scheduled to include additional communications channels such as email, text messages, desktop alerts, phone calls, social media posts or website updates.
A complete fall test of the system is scheduled during the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m.
Students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in UMW Alerts with contact information registered with the University, including UMW email address and cell phone number. The University adds new community members weekly and resets the system with new students on the first day of classes for the fall semester. Campus community members can update their information at any time by visiting the Emergency Alerts website.
UMW Alerts connects with the National Weather Service to share storm warnings and watches, so users also received these notices directly on registered devices. This subsequent summer test will further test the speakers and sirens which are one of the primary communication channels for severe weather alerts.
If you’re downtown or on campus and you hear the tests – let us know what you hear. Do you think they’re effective? Comment below!
Acting Superintendent Chris Fulmer said 99% of Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) students have now been assigned bus routes, but "despite our best efforts, there are students without confirmed routes."
SCPS began the year with significant transportation issues, with almost 3,000 students who had no assigned bus route. Parents were notified the night before school began for Kindergarteners, Sixth and Ninth graders. The issues continued throughout the first week. According to Fulmer, the issues were due to a software issue with the new transportation app.
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Stafford County's fourth annual Via Colori will return the weekend of Sept. 28-29, 2024. The annual street painting festival is a free family-friendly event where artists create large-scale chalk drawings, attracting thousands of spectators each year. while food, vendors, and live music add more activity.
Discover Stafford, formerly known as the Stafford County Museum & Cultural Center, established Via Colori Stafford, an annual signature fundraising event. Funds raised through sponsorships of Via Colori Stafford go back to the county through the Museum and local efforts of the Rotary Club of North Stafford and the Rotary Club of Stafford.
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Fredericksburg City has announced that Duck Donuts will be moving into Central Park. The new location will be near Peter Chang's and Bonefish Grill.
Duck Donuts previously opened a location in Eagle Village, near the University of Mary Washington, in 2017. That location closed, and has since been replaced by a tobacco and vape shop. In 2020, Duck Donuts closed their North Stafford location.
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Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Motts Run Reservoir, which was established in 1974. The reservoir itself spans 160 acres, and is within a total of 860 acres of land. The reservoir was initially created to ensure a reliable water supply for the region. Over the years, it has become an important area for wildlife, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Callie Brown, Superintendent of Recreation for Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events, stated, “Motts has gone from being one of Fredericksburg’s hidden gems to being a family favorite park over the past 50 years.” She highlighted the reservoir’s diverse offerings, including hiking, biking, boating, and fishing, noting its role as a community asset.
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Stafford County Schools is still working to resolve a transportation crisis.
On Monday, the first school day for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th-grade students, parents learned that some 3,000 children would not have bus transportation to school. All Stafford County students were scheduled to return to classes the following day, and the problems continued, with about 1,000 students still without a bus to carry them to school.
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The City of Fredericksburg is mourning the death of former Mayor Lawrence A. Davies, who served as Mayor for 20 years. Davies, Fredericksburg's first African American elected official, served as a Councilmember starting in 1966 and as Mayor from 1976 to 1996. Davies passed on Sunday, Aug. 11 at the age of 94.
The city has lowered flags to half-mast to mark Davies' passing.
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Mary Washington Healthcare has launched a new midwifery program, the largest of its kind in the region. The program offers both inpatient and outpatient care, supported by a team of seven certified nurse midwives.
Expecting mothers can receive prenatal care at two locations in Stafford and Spotsylvania, with deliveries at Stafford Hospital. The program aims to provide personalized, low-intervention care from prenatal visits through postpartum support. Â Patients will have access to prenatal education, labor and delivery support, lactation services, and postpartum care.
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Drivers on Kings Highway may wonder what happened to the long-standing sign for Fredericksburg Motor Sports.
On Aug. 9, a male driver in a pick-up truck attempted to turn right into the entrance between Sheetz and Burger King. Stafford County Sheriff's office said the vehicle was traveling too fast, and struck the sign. The driver sustained minor injuries, and no other vehicles were involved. Both fire and police responded to the scene within minutes.
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A 225-year-old family-run farm in Spotsylvania will open a winery.Â
Willow Oak Farm and Vineyards, owned and operated by the Smith family: Lee, Jeffrey, and Kenny, is currently in the design phase for its winery and production facility. The farm is located on Mill Pond Road.
