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

Senator Warner Warns of ‘Devastating’ Government Shutdown in Virginia

By Kelly Sienkowski
Virginia Senators Tim Kaine (D) and Mark Warner (D) [Photo: Germanna Community College]

President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance criticized the proposed plan in a statement released on Dec. 18 on X (formerly Twitter), where they said the deal had provisions that would hide records of the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, and that the bill would give Congress a pay increase while Americans are “struggling this Christmas.”

The 1,547-page continuing resolution was scrapped on December 18, hours before lawmakers approved the measure. The bill aimed to prevent a partial government shutdown and included a variety of allocations ranging from disaster relief to football stadium land:

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Business

Shop Local, Gift Local: Sprelly’s Flights Take PB&J To New Heights

By Kelly Sienkowski

A bright gold and purple building on Princess Anne street offers creative twists on a beloved classic – Sprelly specializes in gourmet nut butter spreads and jellies that redefine the traditional PB&J with nearly two dozen exotic flavors. 

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Features

From One Veteran to Hundreds: The Story of Simply Angels

By Kelly Sienkowski

From delivering meals to providing emotional support, Simply Angels Veterans Outreach has become a vital resource for hundreds of veterans living with disabilities in Virginia. Simply Angels Veterans Outreach, a nonprofit organization that supports disabled and homebound veterans, has been serving six Virginia counties for nearly 40 years.

Founded by veteran Susan Purks, the group began when she helped a severely burned veteran regain his passion for life. Over time, Purks expanded her efforts to assist other disabled veterans, focusing on career plans tailored to their physical and emotional needs.

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Local Pediatric Pneumonia Cases Surge as Mycoplasma Infections Rise

By Kelly Sienkowski

Local families may have noticed an increase in children being diagnosed with pneumonia this fall. Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed the increase in November with a statement noting Emergency Room visits with a pneumonia diagnosis tripled the week of November 10-17 compared to the prior two years.

Additionally, a number of public schools have reported clusters of students with pneumonia and unspecified respiratory illnesses to VDH. 

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Business

Shop Local, Gift Local: Clay Creations and Holiday Inspiration at Corgi Clay

By Kelly Sienkowski

We’ll be featuring local businesses in our holiday gift-giving series. We’ve asked local businesses to tell us about their holidays, and to suggest gift ideas for a wide range of people.

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Business

Navy Roots, Ninja Moves: USA Ninja Challenge Launches in Stafford

By Kelly Sienkowski

After serving in the Navy for 10 years and working in corporate America building data centers, Dan Umpa has launched USA Ninja Challenge Stafford, an indoor obstacle course training program that combines basic skill sets from gymnastics, climbing, cross training, and track and field.

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Business

Shop Local, Gift Local: Elysian Float Spa Offers a Way to Let It Go

By Kelly Sienkowski

No sound, no touch, no light: Elysian Float Spa offers a sensory deprivation spa relaxation package to take away the stress of the holidays.

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News

Hike, Hunt, and Holiday Cheer: Stafford’s Annual Candy Cane Hunt Returns

By Kelly Sienkowski

Stafford County Parks, Recreation and Tourism is hosting its annual Candy Cane Hunt on Government Island on December 14. The family-friendly event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and registration is required in order to receive the activities bag, which contains the scavenger hunt information.

Giant candy canes will be hidden in the woods throughout the island. Participants can use a scavenger hunt map provided by Stafford Tourism to mark off their finds.

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Business

Shop Local, Gift Local: Olde Virginia Gourmet’s Picks for Holiday Gifts

By Kelly Sienkowski
Olde Virginia Gourmet's festive decorations

We’ll be featuring local businesses in our holiday gift-giving series. We’ve asked local businesses to tell us about their holidays, and to suggest gift ideas for a wide range of people.

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