News

Bill Ashton Appointed as Stafford’s New County Administrator

By Kelly Sienkowski
Stafford's County Administrator, Bill Ashton

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors has announced Bill Ashton as the new County Administrator following a national search. Ashton has served as the Town Manager of Herndon, Virginia, since 2017, and will begin his new role on September 16, 2024, taking over from interim County Administrator Craig Meadows.

Meg Bohmke, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, emphasized the importance of the selection, saying, “The selection of a County Administrator is vital for the Board to ensure the continued delivery of effective government services and the Board’s priorities of keeping Stafford a safe community with a strong educational system while balancing our growing needs.” She highlighted Ashton’s educational background, professional experience, and accomplishments as aligning with the community’s vision.

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Stafford history keepers to gather for summer social at historic building

By Uriah Kiser

The Stafford Historical Society will hold its Summer Social on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The event will occur at the Historic Rowser Building, 1739 Richmond Highway in Stafford.

It was initially built in 1939 by the Public Works Administration as the Stafford Training School (a term used in the South to differentiate a White high school from a Black high school). It was the only place black students could receive an education beyond the 7th grade. This building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Virginia Landmark.

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Fredericksburg Planning Commission to review Jeremiah Project

By Kelly Sienkowski
The proposed site of the Jeremiah Project is near Roffman Road.

Fredericksburg’s City Planning Commission will have a regular meeting on July 10. On the agenda are multiple applications from Micah Ecumenical Ministries and Mary Washington Healthcare in regards to The Jeremiah Project.

The project is a planned housing community for the city’s homeless. On the agenda is rezoning the 32- acre parcel near Roffman Road and Bakersfield Lane. A special Use Permit for institutional housing and vacation of right of way, will also be reviewed. The plan includes 189 units between an 80-unit building and 109 single or attached dwellings, in addition to three community buildings, a church, and a medical clinic. 

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Fredericksburg Announces Summer Restaurant Week -July 26 to Aug 4

By Kelly Sienkowski

Fredericksburg’s Summer Restaurant Week returns this year from July 26 through Aug. 4, 2024. The city has held a Restaurant Week each year since 2005, eventually adding a second week. In Jan. 2024, Winter Restaurant Week had 18 participating restaurants. 

During the week, restaurants offer special menus with a set price. These prices often reflect the current year – $20.24 for an appetizer and an entree, or $10.24 for a lunch combo.

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UMW Recognized in Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges in America” List

By Kelly Sienkowski
University of Mary Washington [Photo: Univesity of Mary Washington Facebook page]

Virginia Military Institute (VMI) received 5 stars; William & Mary (W&M), University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech) all received 4.5 stars.

Money Magazine uses a unique star rating system and includes metrics like the net price of a degree, average borrowing rates, and median earnings. It also calculates “value add” to measure a school’s actual performance against predicted outcomes, assessing how effectively a college impacts graduates’ success.

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Police Report: Beach Nudes, Child Burned, Gel Gun Shooting

By Uriah Kiser

Felony Child Abuse – On July 6, detectives, in coordination with Child Protective Services, concluded the investigation into a child abuse case that was reported to have occurred at a residence located in the 9700 block of Fairmont Ave. in Manassas (20109) on January 26. The investigation revealed the mother of the victims, a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, left the children unattended for an extended period on the evening of January 26. Later that evening, an acquaintance assumed care of the children. While caring for the children, the caregiver bathed the boy without checking the temperature of the water. The following day, the mother observed significant markings on the boy and took him to an area hospital where he was treated for serious burn injuries. Following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for both parties. On July 6, both the mother, Ninoska Marisol TORRES MORADEL and the caregiver, identified as Marvin De Jesus Alvarado LOZANO, were located and arrested in Manassas City.

Shooting into a Residential Dwelling *ADDITIONAL ARREST – On July 8, the suspect, identified as Kevin Lee JACKSON, who was sought in connection to the destruction of property that was reported to have occurred at a residence located in the 8400 block of Carneros Valley Ct. in Bristow (20136) on June 22, was arrested. Another suspect was previously arrested in connection to the investigation on July 3.

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2 Shot at Manassas Mall

By Uriah Kiser
Manassas Mall at 8300 Sudley Road near Manassas.

Update 3:45 p.m. — Prince William police just issued a statement.

On July 9 at 2:08PM, officers responded to Manassas Mall located at 8300 Sudley Rd in Manassas (20109) to investigate a shooting-in-progress. Arriving officers conducted a precautionary search of the building resulting in no active scene being identified. Preliminary indications are an altercation occurred outside the mall in the parking lot between two groups. At one point during the encounter, shots were fired, and the parties dispersed. Uninvolved parties and possible witnesses ran into the mall alerting others to the incident in the parking lot, sparking initial panic. Two injured parties have been identified, one was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the lower body where police were notified, and the other was located on the scene with a minor wound to the lower body believed to have been caused by a ricochet. No additional information is known about these individuals or their possible involvement, if any, in the incident. Both parties are expected to survive. A vehicle has been stopped near the incident and additional parties have been detained. Their involvement in the incident has not been confirmed at this time. Police remain on the scene. The incident is contained and is not believed to be random. Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to aid in the investigation to contact police at 703-792-6500. General access to the mall may be restricted at this time as the investigation continues.

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OmniRide Ridership Update: Express Buses See Slight Increase, Local Routes Decline in May 2024

By Uriah Kiser

OmniRide has reported ridership changes for its Express and Local bus services for May 2024.

OmniRide Express, which provides commuter bus services from Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties to the Pentagon and Washington, D.C., saw its average daily ridership increase by less than one percent in May compared to April. This indicates a stable ridership pattern, with no significant changes observed over the month.

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