Fredericksburg police are investigating suspicious activity reported on Thursday, May 14, 2026, around 4:30 p.m. in the Lafayette Boulevard corridor. A suspect wearing a pink costume was reportedly following children in the area.

The Fredericksburg Police Department has increased patrols in the neighborhood and is asking residents to stay vigilant. Anyone who saw or interacted with the person in the pink costume is urged to contact police at 540-373-3122. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting “FPDtip” followed by the information to 847-411 or through the free FPD Tip app.


The planning process is in full swing for Fire Station #3 on Fall Hill Avenue in the northern section of Fredericksburg.

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The Fredericksburg City Council approved the FY 2027 budget on May 12, 2026, including approximately 8% increases in water and sewer rates effective July 1, 2026, along with a new two-tier consumption structure designed to ensure high-volume users help fund major infrastructure upgrades.

The changes support more than $110 million in projects while keeping impacts manageable for most typical households.


A group of Fredericksburg women returned from Las Vegas $10,000 richer after winning the 2026 APA Ladies 8-Ball Championship. The team, known as the Viper Queens, defeated the competition at the Westgate Las Vegas late last month to earn the title and bragging rights back home.

Team members Joanna Powers, Heather Riley, Jean Walston and Imelda Samples play regularly in the American Poolplayers Association league at their local poolroom in Fredericksburg. They were one of 256 teams that qualified for the national event.


At its regular meeting on May 4, 2026, the Fredericksburg City School Board received an update highlighting substantial growth in special education services as the division navigates shifting enrollment trends.

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Fredericksburg City Council unanimously approved the list of streets slated for asphalt and concrete rehabilitation in fiscal year 2026 during its April 28 meeting, advancing the city’s annual program to address pavement conditions, pedestrian safety, and ADA compliance across diverse neighborhoods.

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City Council gave first-read approval Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to the FY2027 budget (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), which includes a 4-cent increase in the real estate tax rate and an 8% hike in water and sewer rates, along with a new tiered pricing structure.

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Fredericksburg’s Caroline Street has been named the Best Main Street in the South by Garden & Guns magazine. The historic downtown centerpiece beat out 15 other Southern contenders in a March Madness-style public voting bracket that wrapped up this week.

The win highlights the city’s mix of locally owned shops, restaurants, historic sites and walkable charm that draws residents and visitors year-round. Mayor Devine credited the victory to strong community support from businesses and residents who rallied during each round of voting.


At the Fredericksburg City Council meeting on April 14, 2026, Vice Mayor Charlie Frye delivered an enthusiastic update on a homegrown public safety initiative that is poised to benefit communities across Virginia.

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Barbara Saunders, a retired Fredericksburg public school teacher living on Pony Drive, opened her latest property tax bill with a familiar sense of dread.

At $4,980 already, her real estate taxes are set to climb again under the City of Fredericksburg’s proposed FY2027 budget. In a written letter read aloud at the April 21 City Council meeting, the senior citizen described the cumulative impact: a 0.4-cent increase last year, followed by the proposed 0.5-cent hike this year, for a total 0.9-cent jump over two years.


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