Kelly Sienkowski, Author at Potomac Local News

Spotsylvania Woman Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges Following Cyber Tip

Published November 20, 2024 at 12:47PM

Ashley Kriesten

The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office arrested Ashley Kriesten following a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspected child sexual abuse material. Investigators executed a search warrant at Kriesten’s residence, seizing electronic devices, and charging her with multiple counts of child pornography possession, distribution, and aggravated sexual battery. The investigation is part of the office’s collaboration with the NOVA-DC Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce.

Spotsylvania County Sheriff:

News

Residents Rally to Support Recreation and New Traffic Plans

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 19, 2024 at 11:54AM

Stafford residents, led by former Hartwood District Supervisor Joe Brito, are rallying ahead of tonight’s Board of Supervisors meeting to advocate for transforming the closed Cannon Ridge Golf Course into a regional historical riverfront park and for transportation impact fees on developers. Brito served as the Hartwood District’s Supervisor from 2006 to 2009.

Tonight’s Board of Supervisors meeting will discuss the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), and proposed Transportation Impact Fees for developers. The board will discuss amending the Capital Improvement Plan to add the TMP as an appendix. The TMP includes projects already in process, like road repairs and safety fixes; short-term projects designed to improve safety and flow, like bike paths and pedestrian walkways; and long-term plans like a new river crossing route. The plan includes just over $1 billion in road projects.

News

Nights at the Museum: A Unique Learning Experience for Local Teachers

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 18, 2024 at 3:00PM | Updated November 18, 2024 at 6:46PM

The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) is offering a professional development opportunity for local teachers through its Nights at the Museum program. This innovative series, led by the Museum’s Teachers in Residence, Katie Malec of Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) and Christine Russ of Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS), aims to deepen educators’ understanding of the United States Marine Corps history and its role in shaping America.

Malec said these quarterly evening events “provide a rewarding experience that brings history to life.” Malec is in her second year as a Teacher in Residence after 17 years of teaching 7th-grade U.S. history. Russ has over 23 years of teaching preschool through sixth grade and this is her first year as Teacher in Residence. Malec said the two work as a team to “empower educators with tools and primary sources that make history relevant and engaging for their students.” The program’s goal is to “promote United States Marine Corps history and its contributions in creating, developing, and defending our country.”

News

What’s On the Agenda? Stafford’s Board of Supervisors Meets November 19

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 18, 2024 at 6:00AM

Stafford Board of Supervisors (June, 2024)

Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 19, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online. To provide the public with more information about the board meetings, we’ve assembled a list of some of the items on the agenda.

On the agenda:

Fredericksburg

Pane-fully Festive: Riddles and Cheer Light Up Downtown Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 16, 2024 at 2:24PM | Updated November 16, 2024 at 2:48PM

From glistening trees and jolly Saint Nicholas to a mischievous Grinch and festive Pokemon, downtown Fredericksburg’s storefronts have transformed their windows into a wonderland.

The city’s annual Window Wonderland event started November 9 and will continue through December 31, 2024. Participating businesses have transformed their storefronts into festive works of art, each accompanied by a nearby riddle for visitors to solve.

Stafford

Happily Ever Laughter: North Stafford’s “Grimm Brothers’ Spectacularthon” Brings 209 Fairy Tales to Life

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 14, 2024 at 4:43PM | Updated November 14, 2024 at 6:16PM

North Stafford High School students will perform The Brothers Grimm Spectacularthon on November 14 and 16, packing 209 dark fairy tales into one farcical show.

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Potomac Point Winery’s Skip Causey Named 2024 David King Advocate of the Year

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 14, 2024 at 12:15PM | Updated November 14, 2024 at 6:17PM

Skip Causey (Photo | Potomac Point Winery)

Skip Causey of Stafford’s Potomac Point Winery, has received the Virginia Wineries Association’s (VWA) David King Advocate of the Year Award.

Christina Sandridge, VWA Executive Director, said the award is named after the late David King, who founded King Family Vineyards in Crozet. King is known as a strong advocate for the Virginia Wine industry who championed the 2007 Virginia Farm Winery Act as well as the creation of the Virginia Winery Distribution Company, which provides wholesale wine distribution services for local farm wineries and expands their customer base.

Fredericksburg

FredNats End Championship Season with Carolina League Awards

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 13, 2024 at 3:08PM

(Photo | Facebook: Fredericksburg Nationals)

Two Fredericksburg Nationals staff members, Eric Taylor and Chris Krick, received top honors in the Carolina League following the team’s 2024 championship season. Taylor, the FredNats’ Head Groundskeeper, was named Carolina League Groundskeeper of the Year, while Home Clubhouse Manager Krick earned the title of Home Clubhouse Manager of the Year. The awards, chosen through surveys of league managers, players, and executives, recognize their dedication to maintaining an exceptional playing and clubhouse environment.

FredNats General Manager Robbie Perry praised their contributions, noting that their hard work set the foundation for a historic season. This marks the first time since 2020 that two individuals from the same Carolina League team have won these awards.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Announces Route for Annual Veteran’s Day Procession

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 7, 2024 at 8:00AM

Fredericksburg will host its annual Veteran’s Day procession on Monday, November 11 at 10 a.m. The walk will begin at Memorial Park (also known as Kenmore Park) on Kenmore Avenue and end at the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial on George Street.

The procession will travel down Washington Avenue from Mary Ball Street to George Street, ending around 10:30. The Veteran’s Day Commemoration will begin at 10:45 at the War Memorial. Streets will not be closed for the procession, but a rolling police escort will accompany the walkers.

Fairfax

Hayfield High School Football Banned from 2024 and 2025 Playoffs Amid Recruitment Probe

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published November 5, 2024 at 8:30AM

“The Virginia High School League has banned Hayfield High School’s football team from the 2024 and 2025 postseasons, according to a source deeply familiar with the situation,” reports InsideNova.

Hayfield High School’s football team was previously investigated for possible recruitment violations. Fairfax County Schools found no violations occurred, but the Virginia High School League has the authority to complete its own investigation.

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