Fredericksburg - Page 45 of 65 - Potomac Local News

Upcoming Road Work in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Surrounding Areas

Published January 25, 2025 at 11:01AM

Upcoming road work in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and surrounding areas includes several projects to improve infrastructure and ensure safe travel for drivers. On Interstate 95 southbound, the Exit 126 off-ramp in Spotsylvania will have alternating single-lane closures from Sunday through Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 a.m., as crews work to widen the ramp and add a right turn lane to Route 1 southbound.

In Fredericksburg, Wellford Street will see waterline work from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with flaggers alternating one-way traffic between Route 1 and Wallace Street.

School officials, community leaders urge Fredericksburg-area immigrants to ‘know your rights’

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 25, 2025 at 9:57AM

Fredericksburg Free Press – Community leaders and local officials in the Fredericksburg area are grappling with how to protect undocumented immigrants in the context of mass deportation efforts directed by President Trump and enforced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

One aspect of the president’s new border policy is particularly troubling to some in the Fredericksburg area — the removal of the protection of migrants at schools, churches and hospitals.

Fredericksburg defends ‘deliberate pace’ of data center pursuit during public input session

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 24, 2025 at 2:00PM

Rather, it’s the terms and timetable governing said pursuit that comprised most of their questions asked during a joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council.

More than one speaker noted that adjacent jurisdictions, such as Stafford County, have taken up to six months from initiating the public process to voting for a data center. By contrast, Fredericksburg’s city council first discussed a Technology Overlay District in detail on Dec. 10 and could vote on related resolutions and ordinances as early as its Feb. 25 meeting.

Fredericksburg Welcomes Teacher-Turned-Comedian for Sold-Out Ladies Night Show

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published January 22, 2025 at 11:00AM | Updated January 22, 2025 at 1:32PM

After 17 years as a teacher, Spotsylvania’s Leslie Robinson has learned how to make her students laugh. In almost two decades, Robinson has taught every grade level from pre-school to adult high school, and currently teachers High School Family and Consumer Sciences in Spotsylvania County Public Schools. She is also a popular social media content creator, with thousands of followers and views on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Robinson said she loves bringing comedy into her classrooms, saying it helps students retain more information and also lets them find enjoyment in learning. Making the jump from the classroom to the public was a logical next step – Robinson said, “it only made sense to share that same energy and approach with fellow teachers.” Robinson honed her comedy skills in the classroom, saying, “Teenagers are the toughest audience out there,” and finding the ability to both connect with them and make them laugh is akin to “surviving ‘audience boot camp.'”

Updated: Investigators Unable to Determine Cause of Eagle Village Shopping Center Blaze

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 21, 2025 at 10:53PM | Updated January 22, 2025 at 1:11PM

Fire investigators are still searching for answers in two recent fires that caused significant damage in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge.

In Fredericksburg, the December 5 blaze at Eagle Village Shopping Center began in the warehouse of Play It Again Sports and quickly spread, destroying multiple businesses. Despite extensive efforts, investigators have been unable to determine the fire’s cause.

Experience the Flavors of Fredericksburg: Winter Restaurant Week is Happening Now

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 21, 2025 at 4:25PM

Here’s how the passport works: Pick one up at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, participating restaurants, or print it online. Collect stamps by dining at at least five participating restaurants to qualify for prize drawings. Drop off your completed passport at the Visitor Center by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, or mail it in.

Do you have an event you’d like to share? Submit it for free using this link: form.jotform.com/221630757468058. Simply fill out the form with your event details and share it with the community today!

Fredericksburg City Council Advances Plan to Create Data Center Technology District Amid Accelerated Timeline and Public Debate

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 21, 2025 at 10:56AM

Fredericksburg City Hall

The Fredericksburg City Council took a significant step toward attracting data center development on Monday, January 14, by voting unanimously to initiate amendments to the city’s 2015 comprehensive plan, unified development ordinance (UDO), and zoning map. The proposed changes aim to establish a Technology Overlay District (TOD) that would designate roughly 250 acres in the city as a site for data centers and related uses near the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium.

Currently, the city does not have server farms like those sprouting up in surrounding jurisdictions, such as Stafford, Spotsylvania, Prince William, and King George counties. Unlike their neighbors, the city has far fewer acres of land to devote to the sprawling tech campuses.

“This is a critical opportunity for Fredericksburg to position itself as a competitive player in the tech industry,” said Mayor Kerry P. Devine. “By concentrating development in a single campus-like district, we can ensure infrastructure is used efficiently while minimizing environmental and community impacts.”

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Goolrick Pool Reopens After Extensive Renovation at UMW

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 21, 2025 at 10:52AM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:21AM

The University of Mary Washington (UMW) has reopened Goolrick Pool for the spring 2025 semester following a six-month, $1.5 million renovation. The upgraded facility, which first opened in 1969, now boasts modern features designed to enhance functionality and extend the life of the historic pool.

The reopening came just in time for the Eagles’ first home varsity swim meet of the season on Saturday, Jan. 18, which was also Senior Day.

Now that Trump’s Back, Virginia’s Representatives Look Ahead

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published January 20, 2025 at 9:14PM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:21AM

Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources

With the swearing-in of Donald Trump as America’s 47th President on Monday, considering the new administration, we asked some of the Fredericksburg area’s elected representatives about their visions for 2025.

Senator Mark Warner (D) said:

Riverside Brings the King to Life with ‘Heartbreak Hotel’

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 20, 2025 at 9:14PM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:21AM

Photo: Suzanne Carr-Rossi

This winter, the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is rockin’ with the sounds of Elvis Presley as the high-energy bio-musical Heartbreak Hotel takes the stage.

Created by the visionary behind the Tony Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet, the production delves into the life of the King of Rock and Roll, exploring his rise to stardom and the challenges that shaped his iconic legacy.

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