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!

We Asked the Candidates about Data Center Policies. Kaine Responded

By Kelly Sienkowski

As election season approaches, Potomac Local News is dedicated to informing the community about candidates vying for the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. Early voting in Virginia begins Sept. 20.

To help voters in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District make an informed decision, we continue a feature series offering insights into each candidate’s stand on critical issues affecting our area. Candidates are emailed a question and asked to reply by a deadline.

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News

Drugs, K-9s, and Knives: Stafford Sheriff’s Crime Recap

By Kelly Sienkowski
A Stafford County Sheriff's' patrol car.

A round-up of criminal activity shared by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Department:

On August 23, a traffic stop on White Oak Road led to two arrests for possession of suspected controlled substances. Sergeant B.U. Demirci initiated the stop, and was assisted by Sergeant J.D. Hurt, Deputy E.C. Taylor, and Deputy I.E. Baldi  rather the driver, Joshua Barr declared sovereignity. A white powdery substance was in plain view, and a K-9 alerted. Passenger Summer Turner was also charged.

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Business

Refill, Reuse, Repeat: Fillagreen Brings Eco-Friendly Refill Station to Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski

Fillagreen, a new shop downtown, is set to open its doors, offering refillable household and bathroom supplies with a mission to reduce plastic waste.

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Features

STEP VA Announces Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” as 2025 Spring Musical

By Kelly Sienkowski
(Photo | STEP VA)

Fredericksburg’s STEP VA Inc. has announced Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” will be its 2025 spring musical. The organization, which empowers people with disabilities through artistic expression, has chosen the show as its fourth licensed musical, following previous productions like “The Lion King, Kids!” and “Seussical Jr.”

The STEP VA musical selection committee of 14 STEP VA participants ranging from middle school-age to adults worked together over four sessions to narrow down show options. The committee then presented the options to the production team, who made the final choice and submitted it to the licensing organization for approval.

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News

Former Marine, Stafford Man Convicted in Federal Court for Child Pornography Offenses

By Kelly Sienkowski
Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse, Eastern District of Virginia

A Stafford man has been convicted by a federal judge in Alexandria on charges of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Eman Goodwin, 33, a former U.S. Marine, was found guilty following a trial where evidence revealed his involvement in obtaining and storing thousands of explicit images and videos involving children.

Court records show that in February 2021, Goodwin attempted to acquire CSAM from a trafficker on the messaging platform Kik, specifically requesting material involving children under the age of 12. A subsequent search of his apartment, car, and person by the FBI on March 24, 2022, led to the seizure of 21 electronic devices. Forensic analysis uncovered nearly 5,000 images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit activities, which Goodwin had meticulously organized into folders with explicit labels.

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Fredericksburg

State Police: Issue Critically Missing Adult Alert for Nancy Briesemeister

By Kelly Sienkowski
Nancy Briesemeister

The Virginia State Police issued a critically missing adult alert on behalf of the Fredericksburg Police Department on August 26, 2024.

The Fredericksburg Police Department is looking for Nancy Elizabeth Briesemeister, race: White, sex: female, age: 86 years old, height: 5’4″, weight: 100 lbs., with blue eyes and white hair.

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Fredericksburg

Washington Capitals Launch Second Season of Youth Inline Hockey League

By Kelly Sienkowski
(Photo | Fredericksburg Youth Roller Hockey League)

The Washington Capitals announced the second season of the Capitals Inline Hockey League (CIHL), which launched in 2023 as a co-ed youth inline travel league run by the Capitals. Current inline hockey players aged 8-18 are invited to participate in the CIHL, which consists of one team per club, per division. Year two of the CIHL will also see the addition of the Winchester Revolution out of Winchester, Va., as the sixth participating club in the league.

Individual club tryouts begin in September and interested players may register to tryout by contacting their local club director.

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News

Stafford Sheriff Investigates Anti-Semitic Flyers Distributed in Stafford

By Kelly Sienkowski
White Oak Road

Several residents in Stafford County’s White Oak area woke up to anti-Semitic flyers strewed across their properties. Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reported several calls about the flyers, which were placed at residences. Detective S.M. Danyluk has obtained copies of the flyer and is actively investigating the incident, requesting any residents with video footage be submitted online.

Department spokesman Ryan Wilbur said while houses were not specifically targeted, the flyers were distributed randomly along sidewalks and driveways. The flyers were inside plastic bags weighed down by rice. Wilbur said the papers “were generalized flyers” and they “contained misinformation regarding religion, media, and conspiracies.”

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Business

Ribbon Cut, Cava Sabered: City Vino Celebrates New Location in Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski
City Vino

City Vino held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 22, marking their new location at 100 Hanover Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

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Fredericksburg

Happening Now: Fredericksburg Fire Department on Scene at 800 Caroline St.

By Kelly Sienkowski

Fredericksburg’s Fire Department is on the scene now at 800 Caroline Street for a structure fire. The building is home to Dragonfly Yoga and Stage Door Productions, amongst others.

No injuries have been reported, but drivers are advised to use alternate routes in downtown Fredericksburg.

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