I'm the Fredericksburg Regional Editor, covering Stafford and Fredericksburg. If you have tips, story ideas, or news, send me an email!
VA State Police Motor Troops will conduct the safety courses.
Virginia State Police are offering a free skills and safety course taught by VA State Police Motors Troops. The announcement follows the death of five motorcyclists on VA roads this week.
Prince William County Public Schools press release: Local elected officials joined Prince William County School Board members and Superintendent of Schools Dr. LaTanya D. McDade in a ceremony to celebrate the construction of “Woodbridge Area” Elementary School. The state-of-the-art school is scheduled to open for the 2025-26 school year at the corner of Route 1 and Prince William Parkway, near Fred Lynn Middle School.
“One of the commitments in our PWCS Vision 2025 Launching Thriving Futures Strategic Plan is positive climate and culture. There is no doubt that equitable access to new, state-of-the-art facilities positively impacts a school’s climate and culture,” shared Dr. McDade. “Prince William County Public Schools is committed to providing safe and welcoming facilities for students, families, staff and the community, and this new facility is one example of this commitment. ”
On April 13, 2024, the 100,000th runner in the Grand Prix Series will cross the finish line. Stafford Hospital will host its Spring Fever 5K in conjunction with the Coldwell Banker Elite Grand Prix Series and Stafford Race Series.
The Grand Prix Series features 12 local races and has been running since 1994. Tamra Wheeler, Public Relations Coordinator for Mary Washington Healthcare, provided a press briefing noting Coldwell Banker has been the title sponsor for the series for 30 years. Wheeler said there have been 318 races, which have raised between $1.2 and $2.2 million for local charities and organizations.
On Saturday, April 13, the Stafford Race Series (SRS) begins with the Stafford Hospital Spring Fever 5k and Kids ½ mile Fun Run. This race is the first of four races in SRS and one of 12 races in the Coldwell Banker Elite Grand Prix.
SRS promotes community involvement and general wellness. Each of the four races benefits a different organization. April’s Spring Fever will help fund various programs and services at Stafford Hospital.
Mark your calendars for Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Grand Opening celebration on April 13.
Black Rifle Coffee Company, located on Route 17, has been open since Feb. 17. The veteran-founded coffee company offers drive-through and dine-in services.
Ray Manfredi, president of Stage Door Productions, said the group’s 25th season is a milestone. The group was formed in 1999 when a handful of local actors and theater fans wanted to bring new experiences to the community. Manfredi notes that SDP is “one of the first organized community theaters in Fredericksburg and…the longest operating community theater in the …area.”
Manfredi said the heart of the theater is the community of volunteers and performers. Each season features new faces alongside returning actors. Manfredi emphasized that “community theater survives on volunteers:” the set designers, costume designers, and actors are all unpaid volunteers.
Michael Huntley, better known as “Huntley,” has canceled the city’s celebration in his honor, in Fredericksburg.
Huntley is the most recent winner of NBC’s “The Voice.”
Once a teenager singing Poison songs in 1986, Norman Voss now plays bass in Bret Michaels Band (BMB). The band has been nominated for the Country Music Television (CMT) Performance Award for a collaboration between BMB and Chris Janson.
Voss hails from Northern Virginia and lives in Fredericksburg. His Stormin’ Norman band formed in 1997 and traveled the Northern Virginia area for years playing popular songs from the 1960s to today.
