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 Summer Restaurant Week -July 26 to Aug 4

By Kelly Sienkowski

Fredericksburg’s Summer Restaurant Week returns this year from July 26 through Aug. 4, 2024. The city has held a Restaurant Week each year since 2005, eventually adding a second week. In Jan. 2024, Winter Restaurant Week had 18 participating restaurants. 

During the week, restaurants offer special menus with a set price. These prices often reflect the current year – $20.24 for an appetizer and an entree, or $10.24 for a lunch combo.

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News

UMW Recognized in Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges in America” List

By Kelly Sienkowski
University of Mary Washington [Photo: Univesity of Mary Washington Facebook page]

Virginia Military Institute (VMI) received 5 stars; William & Mary (W&M), University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech) all received 4.5 stars.

Money Magazine uses a unique star rating system and includes metrics like the net price of a degree, average borrowing rates, and median earnings. It also calculates “value add” to measure a school’s actual performance against predicted outcomes, assessing how effectively a college impacts graduates’ success.

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Business

NorthPoint Development Invests $133 Million in Stafford

By Kelly Sienkowski

On June 25, Stafford County hosted a groundbreaking for NorthPoint Development’s new Austin Ridge Logistics Center.  The ceremony at 2125 Austin Ridge Drive featured speakers Meg Bohmke, Chairwoman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors, and Ryan Marshall, Development Manager at NorthPoint Development. 

The Austin Ridge Logistics Center will include five to seven buildings, totaling 2,078,015 square feet. Positioned along Interstate 95, the development will accommodate large-scale users, including last-mile logistics facilities, regional distribution warehouses, and data centers. This project aims to provide business and economic opportunities for Stafford County.

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Business

New Dog Park Will Bring Barks and Brews to Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski

A new business combining a love for dogs and beer is coming to Fredericksburg; Barking Barley, founded by Dan Craddock and Travis Stoner, is set to be a unique dog park and taphouse. 

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Quantico

2 Months Later and Still No Response on Quantico Attack

By Kelly Sienkowski
An anonymous tipster sent Vince Compaglianese a photograph of the box truck stopped at the gates of Maine Corps Base Quantico. (Source: https://twitter.com/vincecoglianese?lang=en)

It has been over 2 months since two Jordanian nationals attempted to breach the gates of Marine Corps Base Quantico, and officials still have not released the identity of the two men arrested.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg to Hold Ceremony Marking New Fire Station

By Kelly Sienkowski
Fredericksburg Fire Department

The Fredericksburg City Council and the Fredericksburg Fire Department announced a public unveiling of a sign marking the location of the new Fire Station #3. The celebration will take place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. at Snowden Park, and marks the start of construction on the new station. 

The Fredericksburg Fire Department currently serves an area of 11 square miles with a population of approximately 25,700 people. The department operates two fire stations, staffing them 24/7/365 with two engine companies and one ladder/tower company. Additionally, the department operates two Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances 24/7/365, with all fire suppression personnel certified at the EMT level or higher. Mutual aid agreements are in place with Stafford and Spotsylvania counties.

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Press Release

VSP Urges Safe, Sober Driving for Fourth of July After Deadly Memorial Day Weekend

By Kelly Sienkowski

Virginia State Police: The Fourth of July brings feasts, fireworks, and parties, but the Virginia State Police (VSP) is asking that it include focus and sobriety as well.  

The 2024 summer driving season has gotten off to a deadly start, with preliminary numbers showing 13 fatalities over the Memorial Day holiday, and an additional 25 fatalities in the week following Memorial Day.

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Fredericksburg

21st Annual Claudia Emerson Teen Poetry Contest Celebrates Young Poets

By Kelly Sienkowski
The winners of the 2024 Claudia Emerson Teen Poetry Contest (Photo: CRRL)

Central Rappahannock Regional Library held its 21st annual Claudia Emerson Teen Poetry Contest in June.

The event was named in memory of Claudia Emerson, an advocate for teen poets.  Emerson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former professor at the University of Mary Washington, played a key role in the annual Teen Poetry Contest. She judged the contest and hosted Teen Poetry Night, providing thoughtful feedback to young poets. In 2022, she was named a Changemaker in the Virginia Women in History program.

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News

Virginia DMV Implements New Changes Effective July 1, 2024

By Kelly Sienkowski
The Woodbridge DMV on Caton Hill Road.

Effective July 1, 2024 new laws enacted by the Virginia General Assembly will bring several changes for DMV customers. These changes include updates to the uninsured motor vehicle fee, farm use placards, disabled parking placard duration, and manufactured home conversion procedures.

DMV offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4.

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