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

Ward 3 Fredericksburg City Council Seat Vacant, Applications Due by Jan. 15

By Kelly Sienkowski
Duffy takes the oath of office in 2018. [Photo: Fredericksburg City Goverment]

Residents of Ward 3 interested in serving for the remainder of the term, which ends December 31, 2025, are encouraged to apply by January 15, 2025.

The two step process involves submitting a Boards & Commissions Appointment Application online and emailing a resume. The Council will discuss the appointment further during its January 14, 2025, meeting and must select a replacement within 45 days of January 1, per the City Charter.

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News

Gainesville Man Arrested in Mine Road Hit-and-Run of Two Pedestrians

By Kelly Sienkowski
The scene shortly after the accident {Photo | Aya Karouane)

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Department has arrested Nicolas Hartman, 26, of Gainesville for a Nov. 1 hit-and-run where two pedestrians were struck on Mine Road. Hartman was charged with two counts of felony hit and run, and one count of false pretenses related to an insurance claim.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on Nov. 1, two pedestrians were crossing Mine Road near Greenspring Drive with a shopping cart when they were struck by a dark Volkswagon that fled the scene. One pedestrian was life-flighted with serious injuries after a witness performed CPR. He remains in a rehabilitation facility.

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News

More Than 500 Homes Approved for Former Golf Course Without Supervisors’ Oversight

By Kelly Sienkowski and Uriah Kiser

A decision made in 2019 by Stafford County’s planning staff has enabled the construction of more than 500 homes on the former Cannon Ridge Golf Course without requiring approval from the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.

The development at the end of Celebrate Virginia Parkway has drawn attention following public outcry for the site to be preserved as a regional park and a statement by George Washington District Supervisor Deuntay Diggs expressing concerns over transparency and standard procedures.

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News

Governor, Senators Say Federal Briefing on Virginia Drone Activity ‘Unsatisfactory’

By Kelly Sienkowski

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released a statement Dec.19 following a classified briefing at the Capitol from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and the FBI regarding the ongoing investigation into the unexplained drone sightings in Virginia.

While we appreciate the agencies taking the time to update us on the situation, this briefing was insufficient and unsatisfactory. It has been more than a year since these sightings over key military facilities in Virginia and the lack of answers about the nature, intent, and origin of these incidents is completely unacceptable. The safety of Virginians remains our top priority, and we are determined to continue pressing for additional details as well as greater coordination with state and local officials. We will be staying in close contact with the relevant federal and state agencies to ensure that these concerns are pursued vigorously.

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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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