News

Millions needed for upkeep, improvements at region’s state parks

By Uriah Kiser

State Senator Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford) told PLN he would introduce legislation that aims to fund $11 million in improvements to Leesylvania State Park, at 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive in Woodbridge.

During the summer months, families flock to the 556-acre park on the banks of the Potomac River to hike, fish, picnic, and boat on the river. So many families flock to the park on weekends, the entrance is often closed to additional visitors as the park quickly fills to its occupancy limit.

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Seafood restaurant to replace Matchbox grill at Potomac Mills mall

By Rick Horner
The Crafty Crab sits at 2706 Potomac Mills Circle in Woodbridge

Seafood restaurant chain Crafty Crab will soon make port and drop anchor at the Potomac Mills mall in Woodbridge.

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Former Stafford middle school teacher charged with taking indecent liberties with a child

By Potomac Local News
Gent

[Updated 12:30 p.m.] A seventh-grade teacher who taught in Stafford County faces charges after authorities said he inappropriately touched a child.

Stafford County sheriff’s deputies arrested the suspect at his home in Spotsylvania County on Tuesday, December 7, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Sarah Maroney.

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Parking crackdown at Falmouth beach would result from ordinance change

By Rick Horner

A summertime hot spot, families from all over the region pack the park, featuring a beach on the bank of the Rappahannock River. According to county officials, there is a rash of illegal parking at this park and other county-owned properties.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 14, to consider changing a county ordinance to allow the County Administrator to order illegally-parked or abandoned cars removed. The meeting at 1300 Courthouse Road will begin at 3 p.m.

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Community Notes

By Potomac Local News

Baseball team announces new front office staff: The FredNats have hired Adam Flock as their new Community Relations Manager as a part of the creative services team and Brian Lehman as their new Ticket Sales Account Executive on their sales team. Long-time franchise employee Rich Crosslin has been promoted to Box Office Manager for the organization. [Fredericksburg Nationals]

Dumfries area toy collection: We Back Blue, Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Department of Transportation will collect toys for children in need Saturday, December 11, from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Target store near Dumfries. Collections will go to Toys for Tots, and some toys will also be donated to the Town of Dumfries Police Department for “Christmas in Dumfries.” [We Back Blue]

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Plans for 10-acre park next to Dumfries gaming resort include pickleball courts, field, trails

By Uriah Kiser
Developers for a new 10-acre park next to a new gaming resort in Dumfries propose making Pickleball courts, soccer, football fields, and walking trails.

Pickleball fans flooded an online community meeting for input on a planned 10-acre park atop a landfill in Dumfries next to a future gambling resort.

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Breaking News: New maps move incumbents out of seats; An explainer of an expected coming political shakeup

By Uriah Kiser
A newly proposed political map shifts Virignia's 7th congressional district from the Richmond suburbs north to Prince William and Stafford counties.

[Updated 7 p.m.] Voters and elected leaders in our region woke up today with a glimpse of a possible new political reality. 

According to new political maps drawn by court-appointed Special Masters, nearly all elected incumbents in Prince William and Stafford counties, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg cities were “re-districted” out of their seats Masters from the Democratic and Republican parties. The new maps, or similar versions of them, will likely be approved by the Virginia Supreme Court later this month. 

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Mural depicts black students who prompted the integration of Stafford Public Schools

By Rick Horner

Local government school leaders unveiled a mural at Edward E. Drew Jr. Middle School in Stafford commemorating an attempt at integrating county schools in 1960.

Officials held an event to honor five students who tried to enroll in Stafford High School, where Drew Middle currently sits but was denied entry. Over 70 students, teachers, and onlookers watched a presentation made by some of those students, now seniors who attempted to integrate.

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School leaders want to talk before scrapping high school site

By Rick Horner

Before letting it go, the Stafford County School Board wants to discuss with the Board of Supervisors a piece of property that would be the site of a new high school.

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Community Notes

By Potomac Local News

Time for water art: The Prince William County Service Authority is seeking talented young artists to enter the 2022 Water Art Invitational. Winning students and their art teachers will receive cash prizes, while the winning artwork will be displayed in Service Authority facilities and featured in next year’s Water Art Invitational wall calendar. [Prince William Service Authority]

HOT lanes give back: Transurban, operators and developers of the I-495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, donated to Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial today, following a “Drive to Donate” event on November 17. [Transurban]

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