LaCroix said in remarks: “The first thing I did was take a picture of my name on here, because it is very surreal that I am a part of this.” She added that Woodbridge “is a district that really deserves somebody to prioritize it” and “I’m not thinking that it’s been prioritized in maybe decades and decades.” She requested that people “lend me a little grace” and said her goal is to represent people who “felt that they were marginalized or not heard from” and to address “some pockets that need revision.”
LaCroix, the first Republican to hold the seat in 40 years, succeeds Margaret Franklin. Franklin was elected Woodbridge District Supervisor in 2019. Voters returned her to office in 2023.
Virginia is home to two history-making leaders who are not waiting for change; they are driving it. US Representative Jennifer McClellan, the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress, brings nearly two decades of results to the table: more than 370 pieces of legislation passed, voting rights expanded, reproductive healthcare protected, and clean energy advanced. She does not govern on noise. She governs on outcomes!
Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the United States, built her leadership in Virginia’s classrooms before taking it to the statehouse. Steady, focused, and purpose-driven, she does not just represent change; she expands what leadership looks like.
Stafford County Parks and Recreation is highlighting stories rooted in the county’s history, with a focus this month on the Rowser Building and the Path to African American Mural.
The Rowser Building, built in 1939 as Stafford Training School, was the only facility in the county where Black students could pursue education beyond the seventh grade during segregation. Local African American families helped fund the land purchase, and the school served students. Over the decades, it evolved into H.H. Poole Junior High and later H.H. Poole High School. In 1976, it was renamed to honor Ella Rowser, an educator who served as a teacher, guidance counselor, and principal.
Fredericksburg families and small-business owners face higher costs under the proposed FY2027 General Fund budget of $141.4 million—a $4.6 million (3.3%) increase over the previous year.
City Manager Timothy J. Baroody presented this plan to City Council on March 10, 2026, describing it as a “balanced” and “responsible” approach that prioritizes public safety, schools, residents, businesses, and workforce needs amid recruitment challenges and local growth.
Drivers along Joplin Road (VA Route 619) next to Prince William Forest Park may have noticed them recently: a few new signs directing visitors straight to the parking lot for the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.
These fresh markers are shining a spotlight on a hidden gem tucked within one of Northern Virginia’s most treasured outdoor destinations. For those who love getting away from it all without traveling far, the improved visibility makes this special section easier than ever to find and explore.
