Fredericksburg
“City Council has already stated publicly it will allow the data center developers to use city drinking water to cool their buildings for an unspecified period of time while the recycled water pipeline is being built,” posted Inform Fredericksburg on Facebook. “This creates a whole other set of problems that have yet to be discussed publicly by City Council.”
“So, here’s the question every city resident should be asking: Who’s going to pay to expand the city’s water treatment plant to accommodate a single user?” the post continued. “Taxpayers or the developer?”
The annual Jingle Mingle hosted by WFLS Radio brought the Fredericksburg community together for a festive night that raised more than $6,000 to help local rescue dogs. Held December 12 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center, the event featured a silent auction with big-ticket items like autographed Taylor Swift albums, Richmond getaways, and a recliner from Powell’s Furniture.
WFLS Market Manager Debbie Patten and Promotions Director Sean Quinn, both dog lovers, spearheaded the fundraiser to support Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS). Patten adopted her own dog from ODHS, while Quinn has regularly welcomed rescue dogs and volunteers on air to help connect them with new families.
“We encourage members of the Fredericksburg community to participate in these discussions and help shape the vision for this important memorial,” Fredericksburg Area Museum stated. “Public input is integral as we work toward a design that honors history, fosters understanding, and supports community reflection.”
The Fredericksburg Area Museum and the City of Fredericksburg will host a series of public presentations beginning in January 2026 to share and gather feedback on proposed designs for a new memorial at the former site of the historic Auction Block at William and Charles streets.
On December 11, a resident in the 1000 block of Forest Village reported that someone had slashed the passenger-side tire of their vehicle. That same day, another victim in the 6600 block of River Road reported their wallet was stolen from their vehicle.
Fredericksburg Police also made multiple arrests this week. These included several for shoplifting—both misdemeanor and felony levels—as well as two public intoxication charges, assault and battery (including a domestic incident on a family member), and failure to comply with court orders.
“Today, we proudly celebrate the graduation of LE Basic Class 173 from the Rappahannock Regional Justice Academy,” Fredericksburg Police Department announced. “This milestone represents months of dedication, discipline, and hard work, and the beginning of a meaningful journey in law enforcement.”
“As these graduates take the oath and begin their careers with the Fredericksburg Police Department, we wish them long, successful, and fulfilling careers serving the City of Fredericksburg with integrity, professionalism, and pride.”
An assault and battery case involving a family member and a hit-and-run led the Fredericksburg Police Department’s recent crime report. A 36-year-old man from Fredericksburg was charged with domestic assault and battery, while a 31-year-old woman also from the city was arrested for failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
Also reported were two separate theft incidents: a slashed tire in the 1000 block of Forest Village and a stolen wallet from a vehicle on River Road.
What does a public library look like when it becomes a hands-on hub for creativity, media production, and lifelong learning?
In this episode of PLN, Potomac Local News founder and publisher Uriah Kiser is joined by Simon Watts, Maker Lab Specialist at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, to talk about Idea Space—the library’s maker and media facility in downtown Fredericksburg—as it marks five years of serving the community.
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As Fredericksburg leaders debate the future of data center development, longtime local observer and former city councilor Matt Kelly says the conversation is about more than land use or tax revenue. It’s about how decisions are made — and whether residents are being fully informed along the way.
Kelly shared his views during a recent interview with Potomac Local News, recorded in the wake of the Fredericksburg Planning Commission’s unanimous rejection of the proposed Gateway Data Center.