Fredericksburg

Consultants Seek Public Input on Revamping Fredericksburg’s Parks and Ficklen Island

By Kelly Sienkowski

A consulting firm, Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects, is seeking more public input on the future of Alum Spring Park, Old Mill Park, and Ficklen Island in Fredericksburg. Since February, they have been gathering feedback to refine the city’s Parks and Recreation master plan.

Key issues identified include flooding and outdated facilities at Old Mill Park, the need for improved access and trail repairs at Alum Spring Park, and the potential removal of a concrete dam at Ficklen Island. The consultants have developed several concepts to address these concerns and now ask the public to weigh in on their recommendations before presenting them to city council this fall.The firm’s presentation, including maps and surveys, is available online.

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Fredericksburg Filmmaker Captures the Heart of Bluegrass in New Documentary

By Uriah Kiser

Fredericksburg’s music scene has long been a hidden gem. Still, filmmaker and Potomac Local News freelancer Mike Salmon is bringing it into the spotlight with his latest documentary, “Bluegrass in Fredericksburg.” The film explores the rich bluegrass tradition in the city, nestled just outside of the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia. It sheds light on Fredericksburg’s unique contributions to this classic American genre.

In a recent interview, Salmon discussed the inspiration behind the project and the discoveries he made while filming. “The documentary is about the bluegrass scene in Fredericksburg and what the city adds to the flavor of bluegrass around here,” Salmon said. As a new resident of Fredericksburg, formerly of Fairfax County, Salmon admitted that he knew little about the local music scene. Still, his journey through the project opened his eyes to its vibrancy and depth.

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Refill, Reuse, Repeat: Fillagreen Brings Eco-Friendly Refill Station to Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski

Fillagreen, a new shop downtown, is set to open its doors, offering refillable household and bathroom supplies with a mission to reduce plastic waste.

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STEP VA Announces Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” as 2025 Spring Musical

By Kelly Sienkowski
(Photo | STEP VA)

Fredericksburg’s STEP VA Inc. has announced Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” will be its 2025 spring musical. The organization, which empowers people with disabilities through artistic expression, has chosen the show as its fourth licensed musical, following previous productions like “The Lion King, Kids!” and “Seussical Jr.”

The STEP VA musical selection committee of 14 STEP VA participants ranging from middle school-age to adults worked together over four sessions to narrow down show options. The committee then presented the options to the production team, who made the final choice and submitted it to the licensing organization for approval.

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State Police: Issue Critically Missing Adult Alert for Nancy Briesemeister

By Kelly Sienkowski
Nancy Briesemeister

The Virginia State Police issued a critically missing adult alert on behalf of the Fredericksburg Police Department on August 26, 2024.

The Fredericksburg Police Department is looking for Nancy Elizabeth Briesemeister, race: White, sex: female, age: 86 years old, height: 5’4″, weight: 100 lbs., with blue eyes and white hair.

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Washington Capitals Launch Second Season of Youth Inline Hockey League

By Kelly Sienkowski
(Photo | Fredericksburg Youth Roller Hockey League)

The Washington Capitals announced the second season of the Capitals Inline Hockey League (CIHL), which launched in 2023 as a co-ed youth inline travel league run by the Capitals. Current inline hockey players aged 8-18 are invited to participate in the CIHL, which consists of one team per club, per division. Year two of the CIHL will also see the addition of the Winchester Revolution out of Winchester, Va., as the sixth participating club in the league.

Individual club tryouts begin in September and interested players may register to tryout by contacting their local club director.

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Honoring Heroes: First Responders Celebrated at Fredericksburg Convention Center

By Mike Salmon
Several police officers and fire and rescue crew were honored during the First Responders Appreciation Event on Wednesday, August 21, at the Fredericksburg Convention Center. [Photo: Fredericksburg Chamber Of Commerce]

The event covered first responders from the Fredericksburg and Caroline, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties, filling the main ballroom at the Convention Center. There were 19 awards given out to local Virginia State Troopers and county police officers from all over the area. Included in the 19 awards was a lifetime achievement award given to Fredericksburg Fire Chief Mike Jones, Caroline County Citizens Valor awards given to Shericka Twyner, Russell Trainer, and Desiree Dushane, and the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Citizens Valor Award went to Guillermo Shelton and Austin Leonard.

“We are a better region because of you,” added Steve Cox of Rappahannock Goodwill, one of the sponsors at this event, which the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce hosted.

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Fredericksburg’s Drinking Water Unaffected Amid Rapidan River Investigation

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water and the Rapidan Service Authority issued a continued “Do Not Use Water Advisory” for the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant. The advisory, first implemented on August 21, is still in effect following reports of an unknown odor in the drinking water.

Despite extensive testing and sampling by a VELAP-certified private lab, the cause of the odor has not been identified, and no harmful contaminants have been detected. The odor is noted to be dissipating, but the advisory will remain until it is sufficiently reduced or eliminated. The Rapidan Service Authority is actively working to address and mitigate the odor.

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