Author: Rick Horner

Business

Stafford gardner grew too many peppers, will have hot sauces on shelves at grocery co-op

By Rick Horner

A Stafford sauce maker will see her flavors stocked by the Fredericksburg Food Cooperative starting Thursday, March 24

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News

Stafford qualifies for federal funds following crippling Jan. 3 snowstorm

By Rick Horner
Photo: Stafford Sheriff's office

The Federal Government will reimburse Stafford County for costs incurred during a crippling January 3 snowstorm that halted traffic on Interstate 95, knocked out power for tens of thousands, and put children out of school for a week. 

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Business

Vita Nova Creatives and Coffee brings art and brew to Nokesville

By Rick Horner
Jessica Millar Sharon Hale serves customers at Vita Nova Creatives and Coffee in Nokesville.
[caption id="attachment_176076" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Jessica Millar Sharon Hale serves customers at Vita Nova Creatives and Coffee in Nokesville.[/caption]

Vita Nova Creatives and Coffee will hold its grand opening on Tuesday, March 29.

According to the cafe's operations manager Jessica Millar, Vita Nova's event will begin at 6:30 am and conclude at 5 pm. During the grand opening, the cafe will sell regular-sized drinks at $1 and hold prize drawings.

Founded by Paula Millar, Vita Nova strives to be not just a neighborhood cafe but a space for local artists. The idea for what would become Vita Nova began after Millar participated in a creative retreat in Waco, Texas, in October 2020. Millar was encouraged after the retreat to open a space where creative types could hang out, enjoy something to drink, and be creative.

The cafe's website has photos of items such as portraits, shoes, and furniture that have been enhanced with original artwork.

Paula and her husband, Tom, have lived in Nokesville for nearly two decades. Paula is joined by her two daughters, Becca and Danielle, and her daughter-in-law Jessica manages the cafe.

The Millar family also serves at Evergreen Community Church, where they participate in outreach programs, youth ministry, and worship.

Millar's sense of community is shown in the choice of the cafe's name, which in Latin translates to "New Life." According to the cafe's website, Millar seeks to share this new life with the local community.

Vita Nova is located at 13051 Fitzwater Drive, on the corner of Route 28. The cafe is open from 6:30 am to 5 pm Monday thru Friday, and 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday.

The cafe is located in the space once occupied by Nokesville Market Deli. The Millar's held a "soft' opening in February.

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Features

Stafford Sheriff to hold 8th annual Junior Deputies Academy

By Rick Horner
Stafford Junior Deputies heard from members of the county sheriff's office specialty units and see some of their equipment on July 22, 2021. [Photo: Stafford sheriff's office]

That’s the question that The Stafford County Sheriff’s Department is asking prospective applicants for their 8th annual Junior Deputies Academy.

According to the sheriff’s department website, the department will begin accepting online applications starting on March 20 for their annual July summer camp. The event is being held for Stafford County students going into 4th through 7th grade for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. 

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News

Manassas proposes 5% salary increases for public school employees

By Rick Horner

Manassas City Public School’s budget proposal would give a five percent salary increase for most employees.

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News

Turf coming to the last two Stafford high schools without artificial fields

By Rick Horner

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Stafford redraws political map, to hold public hearing on countywide changes

By Rick Horner
Poll workers outside Brooke Point High School on Election Day, November 2, 2021.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on March 15 to consider changes to the county’s magisterial districts.

Those changes would involve adopting new election districts and precinct boundaries and new polling places. A county redistricting committee developed the option, which will be presented at the hearing and the board’s redistricting work session held this past February.

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Stafford seeks grant to lure more tourists

By Rick Horner
Sports fields at Embrey Mill Park in Stafford County

Stafford County Tourism will apply for a $160,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Authority to help the county draw more visitors.

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Business

Blizzards in the forecast: Sups approve permit for new Dairy Queen

By Rick Horner

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a drive-through built into a new Dairy Queen restaurant.

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Apartments, homes, retail space coming to Mainline on Route 17

By Rick Horner
A rendering of what new homes to be built in the Mainline development on 45 acres in south Stafford.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted to rezone 46 acres from suburban residential to residential mixed-use to develop a new neighborhood called Mainline.

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