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

City of Manassas celebrates Bee City USA designation with mural

By Kelly Sienkowski
A new wall mural at Kerbobble Toys will celebrate the Bee City USA designation of Manassas.

Manassas Town Council press release: Theresa Coates Ellis, Patron Manassas City Council Member of Manassas Bee Festival (June 22); Patricia Kouttab, Owner of Kerbobble Toys; Sherry Day, building owner of 9216 Center St.; Mark Olsen, Chair and Kristen Kiefer, Executive Director, Historic Manassas Inc., proudly announce the launch to create a new wall mural at an entrance to Historic Manassas on the wall of  Kerbobble Toys celebrating the Bee City USA designation for the City of Manassas.

On May 2021, the Manassas City Council voted unanimously to become a Bee City USA, initiated by Council Member Coates Ellis, a trained master gardener and beekeeper. With that designation, the City must hold public awareness activities to plant native and to save our pollinators, including bees. The 4th annual Manassas Bee Festival fulfills this requirement with a free family fun and educational event held on Saturday, June 22nd from 10am to 2pm.

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Exclusive: Plans for Pier at Potomac Creek Campground Withdrawn Amid Environmental and Community Concerns

By Kelly Sienkowski

A permit application for a 1,000-foot pier extending through marshland into Potomac Creek at a contested campground has been withdrawn from a review by the Virginia Marine Resource Commission.

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Fredericksburg

Local realtor team helps STEP VA move into their new home

By Kelly Sienkowski
Participants and volunteers at the STEP VA studio in February 2024 (Source: STEP VA Facebook page)

Following a record-breaking fundraising gala in October 2023, STEP VA has moved into its new home on Bourbon Street.

Last fall, a 10-year anniversary gala brought in a record $50,000 for the organization. One month later, the group obtained its own space for the first time. STEP VA had been holding meetings in rooms rented or borrowed from local businesses and houses of worship to hold meetings. “Our dream is to create a space where people with disabilities feel welcome and can freely express their creativity in a space that prioritizes their sensory needs,” said Carol Yeh, STEP VA secretary.

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Breaking News

ICE confirms attack on Quantico; Ignores questions on terrorist threat

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)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a statement on May 16 confirming that two Jordanian nationals were turned over to ICE custody. However, ICE did not respond to the request to confirm whether one or both men were on the Terrorism Watch list or address the contents of the box truck.

Captain James Covington, ICE spokesman, confirmed: “On May 3, 2024, Marine Corps Base Quantico’s Criminal Investigations Division arrested two Jordanian noncitizens for trespassing.  Marine Corps Base authorities notified the ICE Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Washington, D.C., of the apprehensions.  Deportation officers from ERO Washington, D.C.’s Criminal Apprehension Program responded and arrested both individuals without incident.  Both individuals will remain in ERO custody pending removal proceedings.” 

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Prince William

UVA Health Prince William Medical Center to celebrate 60th anniversary

By Kelly Sienkowski
Prince William Medical Center

UVA Health Prince William Medical Center is gearing up to celebrate a significant milestone: its 60th anniversary on June 22, 2024. This commemoration marks six decades of unwavering dedication to providing healthcare services to the Prince William County community. 

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Prince William

Residents not buying Dumfries mayor’s claim he didn’t know about new neighborhood

By Kelly Sienkowski
Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

A public hearing took place on May 8 concerning the Harbor Reserve Project in Prince William County and a partial easement in the Town of Dumfries. Present at the meeting were members of the Dumfries Town Council, a representative from County Supervisor Andrea Bailey’s office, the Dumfries Town Manager, the Dumfries Town Attorney, and other Dumfries Town staff.

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Breaking News

Exclusive: Driver’s Attempt at Breaching Quantico Gate Echoes Deadly Incidents at White House, U.S. Military Bases

By Kelly Sienkowski
The Iwo Jima statue outside the Fuller Gate at Quantico Marine Corps Base

Two people inside a box truck tried to force their way onto Quantico Marine Corps Base.

After being pressed by Potomac Local News, base officials today said that in the early morning hours of Friday, May 3, 2024, the two men drove a truck up to the base’s main gate on Fuller Road, just outside Dumfries, told guards that they were contractors for Amazon and were making a delivery to Quantico Town’s post office. The town is located inside the military base.

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Press Release

Prince William County schools celebrate 300 retirees

By Kelly Sienkowski
Patriot High School in Prince William County, VA

Prince William County Schools press release: For some Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) employees, the time has come to bid farewell to their classrooms and offices—their retirement from the school division marks the end of an era as well as a stepping stone toward their next grand adventure.

Nearly 300 employees—educators, support staff, and administrators who have dedicated years of their lives in service to our students will be celebrated in a retirement ceremony on May 21. Through their crucial work and irreplaceable efforts, they have provided a safe and welcoming environment for all students to learn the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to create a thriving future for themselves and their community.

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Prince William

Prince William County Community Foundation Prepares for Fourth Annual Back-to-School Bash: 3,000 Backpacks and Counting

By Kelly Sienkowski

School may not even be out for the summer, but some in the community are already planning what children will need when they return to class in August.

The Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) is gearing up for its fourth annual Back-to-School Community Event, anticipated to attract as many as 8,000 attendees, a significant increase from last year’s 6,000. This year’s event, scheduled for August 3, 2024, at Unity Reed High School near Manassas, will feature a substantial giveaway of over 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, up from 2,500 last year.

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Prince William

Prince William Co. schools removes speech pathologist because he ‘sides with the parents’

By Kelly Sienkowski
7News obtained an email revealing Prince William County Public Schools removed Dr. Jay Lucker from its list of speech language pathologists because he "sides with the parents." (7News)

“7News On Your Side has obtained an email revealing Prince William County Public Schools removed a speech-language pathologist from their list of evaluators because he “sides with the parents.”, reports ABC7 News.

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