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!

News

Bright Chalk, Bright Futures: Via Colori to Support Stafford Schools

By Kelly Sienkowski
Via Colori Stafford (Photos | Scott Mayausky)

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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Business

Duck Donuts Waddles Back to Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski

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 That location closed, and has since been replaced by a tobacco and vape shop.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

Fredericksburg Celebrates Motts Run Reservoir’s 50 Years

By Kelly Sienkowski
Motts Run Reservoir

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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News

First Week Fiasco: Stafford Schools’ Transportation Problems Continue, System Fails Thousands of Students

By Kelly Sienkowski
Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

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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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg City Flags Lowered to Honor Former Mayor Lawrence A. Davies

By Kelly Sienkowski
Mayor Lawrence A. Davies

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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News

Mary Washington Healthcare Expands Midwifery Services Amid Local Women’s Health Office Closures

By Kelly Sienkowski
Mary Washington Healthcare's Midwives (Photo | Mary Washington Healthcare)

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.  Patients will have access to prenatal education, labor and delivery support, lactation services, and postpartum care.

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News

Fredericksburg Motor Sports Sign Damaged in Accident on Kings Highway

By Kelly Sienkowski

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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Business

New Winery to Open at 225-Year-Old Willow Oak Farm and Vineyard

By Kelly Sienkowski

A 225-year-old family-run farm in Spotsylvania will open a winery. 

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News

Fredericksburg City Continues to Follow Storm, Tornado Watch in Effect

By Kelly Sienkowski

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch in effect from 6:19 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9. The watch follows multiple reports of a tornado touching down in Caroline County yesterday evening.

The storm is predicted to bring significant rainfall to the area, with risks of flooding possible. The Rappahannock River last flooded downtown Fredericksburg on Jan. 10, 2024. It crested at 19.1 feet at 5:30pm, impacting Old Mill Park and encroaching trails along Fall Hill Avenue. Fredericksburg has already closed Old Mill Park in anticipation of Tropical Storm Debby.

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Fredericksburg

Penzance Eyes 83.5 Acres Near I-95 for Fredericksburg Data Center

By Kelly Sienkowski

In July, Fredericksburg City Mayor Kerry Devine encouraged the City Council to explore the possibility of data centers in Fredericksburg, suggesting the Celebrate Virginia South area near the Fredericksburg Nationals Stadium and the Rappahannock River.

“However, it appears that the city’s first serious, server-laden suitor wishes to put down fiberoptic roots in a different location — 83.5 acres straddling the Cowan Boulevard corridor near Interstate 95. On Thursday morning, city staff from several different departments will consider a pre-application from southern Maryland-based developer Penzance to construct a data center campus on four parcels that were once under consideration for a Veteran’s Affairs clinic,” reports the Fredericksburg Free Press.

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