Fredericksburg - Page 48 of 68 - Potomac Local News

Hundreds Attend First Stafford Tourism & Business Marketing Summit

Published January 29, 2025 at 3:18PM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:36PM

Greg Kihlström, a best-selling author and consultant specializing in marketing technology and digital transformation, was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Stafford Tourism & Business Marketing Summit at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center.

Small business owners and marketing professionals from across Virginia gathered in Stafford County on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, for the inaugural Stafford Tourism & Business Marketing Summit at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center.

The one-day, free event focused on digital marketing, branding, and artificial intelligence, providing attendees with insights into how businesses can enhance their outreach and advertising strategies. The summit featured a keynote address by Greg Kihlström, a best-selling author and consultant specializing in marketing technology and digital transformation.

Local Musicians Gather for Eric Becker Memorial Concert to Benefit SPCA

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published January 29, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:36PM

On Saturday, February 1, local musicians and bands are gathering at Strangeways Brewing for the Eric Becker Memorial Concert benefiting the Fredericksburg SPCA.

A member of Radar Theory, bandmate Johnny Boothe said Becker was known for being genuinely caring to everyone in his life. He “loved his friends, his family, and his wife Kathleen deeply,” Boothe said.

A Dragon, 6 Bears, and Strangeways Help Fredericksburg’s Beer Scene Hit a High Mark

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published January 29, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:36PM

Red Dragon Brewery in Fredericksburg

Red Dragon, 6 Bears & A Goat, Highmark, and Strangeways – Fredericksburg’s local breweries have helped the city earn a nomination for USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Town Beer Scenes. Staunton is the only other Virginia city on the list.

The city said the nomination celebrates the area’s craft beer culture and recognizes the community of brewers and craft beer enthusiasts. Josh Summits, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the city, said, “This nomination is a testament to the hard work of our local breweries and the support of our community. We invite everyone to cast their votes daily and help us showcase Fredericksburg’s exceptional beer culture to the nation.”

Lights, Camera, Caution: Fredericksburg Speeders Face School Zone Crackdown

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published January 28, 2025 at 5:30PM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:36PM

School Zone Speed Limits near James Monroe High School

Fredericksburg Police have launched automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones at Hugh Mercer Elementary and James Monroe High School to curb speeding and improve safety. The move is part of a partnership formed in November 2024 between the Fredericksburg Police Department and the city, aiming to reduce speeding near schools and protect students, staff, and families.

To ease drivers into the new system, the city implemented a 30-day warning period following the installation of the cameras. During this period, violators received warnings instead of citations, a step the city said was designed to “educate drivers and encourage compliance with speed limits.”

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

By Uriah Kiser

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.

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