Update July 23: City Council members will attend the CSX public statement on July 24. The event is at 3 p.m. in the gravel parking lot behind VRE Lots G and H. The entrance is at the corner of Prince Edward and Frederick Streets.
Mayor Kerry P. Devine addressed the recent train derailment behind Fredericksburg’s Cobblestone Square apartment complex, expressing concern for the community’s safety.
Stafford County’s Planning Commission will hold its next meeting on July 24. On the agenda is a new telecom tower off the Interstate 95 (I-95) exit 143A ramp.
The 23-acre lot is currently not zoned. VDOT owns the vacant buffer zone between Route 1 and I-95. Nearby land is zoned B-2 (Neighborhood Business) and contains a business park and mixed commercial properties.
Aquia Landing Park, known for its scenic location at the Potomac River and Aquia Creek confluence, will soon unveil a new playground. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, scheduled for July 27, 2024, will include gift bag handouts for children attending the event.
The new playground, seen in the slideshow above, is a basic playset developed with a project cost of $144,000. The site’s limitations, including space constraints and susceptibility to flooding, influenced the straightforward design. The project was completed smoothly, with the installation promptly done once the equipment arrived after several months of waiting.
Dr. Janet Gullickson, President of Germanna Community College, shared insights about the new facility, highlighting its significance and what it will offer to the community.
Gullickson explained that the new campus will be much larger than its predecessor, with approximately 75,000 square feet of space across two buildings, about four times its current campus at 124 Old Potomac Chruch Road near Stafford Hospital.
In a statement posted to X, Biden said he is stepping aside “in the “best interest of my party and the country.”
Several people gathered at the Manassas National Battlefield yesterday, July 20, 2024, to commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas. The event marks one of the two major battles of the Civil War on the battlefield, marking the start of the four-year conflict between the states.
The park events on July 20 focused on experiencing the battles through various sensory experiences with programs and stations across Henry Hill. Activities included firing demonstrations, Civil War field music, interactive tactile exhibits, kids’ crafts, junior ranger activities, cooking demonstrations, food samples, and other living history programs. These activities extended throughout the park, including at the Andrew Redman Blacksmith Shop.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. yesterday , a CSX train derailed several rail cars near Cobblestone Dr. in Fredricksburg, VA. A garage structure adjacent to the rail line was impacted by the incident. No hazardous materials were involved and there were no reports of injuries. CSX appreciates the swift response of the Fredricksburg City first responders. The safety of response personnel and the surrounding community is our top priority as we work to recover the derailed cars and work to completely restore the area. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Updated 8 a.m. Sunday: A freight train derailed and collided with buildings at the Cobblestone Square apartment complex near the city’s train station. No one was injured.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has announced scheduled road work from July 21 to 27, 2024, including lane closures on I-95, Route 1, and other key routes for maintenance and construction.
As the Stafford Education Foundation (SEF) approaches the tenth anniversary of its annual fundraising golf tournament, the organization continues to enhance educational opportunities for students and educators in Stafford County Public Schools. The foundation, dedicated to providing scholarships, grants, and innovative programs, remains committed to addressing the evolving needs of the community. This year, sponsors are able to donate directly to the scholarship, grant, or program they would like to encourage.
Executive Director Stephanie Johnson explained SEF’s latest initiative, the Community Health and Mental Professionals (CHAMP) Center program, exemplifies their approach to education. This healthcare career pathway program for high school students was launched in collaboration with Mary Washington Healthcare and the Claude Moore Foundation. Designed to address critical gaps in mental health, biomedical science, and nursing career pathways, the CHAMP program is a direct response to a community health assessment that highlights these needs. The program will welcome its first cohort of students this fall.
