Press Release

Stafford Hospital Achieves Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Designation

By Kelly Sienkowski
Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Center Boulevard in Stafford.

Mary Washington Healthcare’s Stafford Hospital has been certified by The Joint Commission (TJC) as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital. The Fredericksburg hospital campus has been certified since 2009.

TJC is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets standards and accredits health care organizations and programs within the United States. The Acute Stroke Ready Hospital designation is awarded to facilities that meet rigorous standards for stroke care. This includes having a dedicated stroke-focused program, trained staff, and the necessary equipment to diagnose and treat strokes swiftly and effectively. This designation is particularly impactful for Stafford Hospital, as it enhances the hospital’s capability to serve a growing community, ensuring that critical stroke care is quickly accessible to those who need it most.

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Stafford Board of Supervisors Adopts New Meeting Schedule

By Kelly Sienkowski

Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors has amended its by-laws to create a new meeting schedule. The board will have three meeting days, two of which are planned business days. The third meeting day will be a dedicated Work Session meeting as needed. Meetings will also begin at 5 p.m.

The proposed changes were first reviewed by the board on June 4 and again on July 2. All board members were able to participate in the discussion and review the changes. According to Stafford’s news release, “this transparent process, which also allowed public input on the change, was designed to ensure your voice was heard and that you were fully informed about the decision-making process.”

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Road Resurfacing to Begin on Route 3 in Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski
[Photo: VDOT Fredericksburg District]

 

Starting Sunday, July 28, drivers on Route 3 westbound in Fredericksburg will experience brief overnight delays and a temporary rough ride as crews begin resurfacing the road and updating lane markings. The work will stretch from Gateway Boulevard to Woodlyn Drive and is expected to take about two weeks.

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Fredericksburg Names New Economic Development and Tourism Director

By Kelly Sienkowski
Josh Summits

Josh Summits has been appointed as the new Director of Fredericksburg’s Economic Development and Tourism Team, starting mid-August. Summits has fifteen years of experience in urban redevelopment, community revitalization, and economic development. He joined Stafford County’s government in 2019 and most recently served as Business Development Manager.

Summit said he has “spent the past five years working with Stafford to bring transformative economic development projects to the Fredericksburg Region. Each locality offers diverse and unique attributes and opportunities. The City of Fredericksburg has a robust list of amazing amenities and a thriving historical downtown. My core focus and energies will target corridor redevelopment, and expanded business attraction and retention efforts.”

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Police Seize Cash, Cocaine, and Weapons in Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski
Tai'eric Lewis

An investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Fredericksburg Police Department, Virginia State Police, Spotsylvania Narcotic Crimes and the FBI, resulted in the arrest of Tai’eric Lewis on multiple charges. The operation led to the seizure of half a kilo of cocaine, $17,000 in cash, three pounds of marijuana, and a stolen firearm. Lewis has been charged with several offenses, including drug distribution and child endangerment.

Fredericksburg Police Department:

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Construction Begins July 22 for Roundabout at Stafford’s Banks Ford Parkway

By Kelly Sienkowski
The intersection of Banks Ford and Celebrate Virginia Parkways.

Construction to install a modular roundabout at the intersection of Banks Ford and Celebrate Virginia parkways in Stafford County will begin Monday, July 22. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will start with paving, followed by assembling and installing modular roundabout pieces made from 136,090 pounds of recycled plastic. Starting Aug. 5, the intersection will temporarily become a four-way stop for about two weeks. The project aims to enhance safety and reduce vehicle collisions. The $700,000 project, funded by Stafford County, is expected to be completed by late Aug. 2024.

VDOT: Construction to install a modular roundabout at the intersection of Route 1969 (Banks Ford Parkway) and Route 1968 (Celebrate Virginia Parkway) in Stafford County will begin on Monday, July 22.

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High-Flying Fugitive Falls Flat: Stafford Man’s Escape Thwarted by Deputies

By Kelly Sienkowski
Derrick Eady, 22

A wanted man in Stafford was apprehended after a foot chase that ended with his fall from a fence behind a Panda Express. Derrick Eady, 22, was caught by deputies and is now held without bond on multiple charges, including obstructing justice.

Eady was wanted for Failure to Appear, and has a number of prior charges in recent years including Trespass, Obstruction of Justice, Public Intoxication, and Possession of Drugs.

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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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VSP Urges Safe, Sober Driving for Fourth of July After Deadly Memorial Day Weekend

By Kelly Sienkowski

Virginia State Police: The Fourth of July brings feasts, fireworks, and parties, but the Virginia State Police (VSP) is asking that it include focus and sobriety as well.  

The 2024 summer driving season has gotten off to a deadly start, with preliminary numbers showing 13 fatalities over the Memorial Day holiday, and an additional 25 fatalities in the week following Memorial Day.

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Virginia DMV Implements New Changes Effective July 1, 2024

By Kelly Sienkowski
The Woodbridge DMV on Caton Hill Road.

Effective July 1, 2024 new laws enacted by the Virginia General Assembly will bring several changes for DMV customers. These changes include updates to the uninsured motor vehicle fee, farm use placards, disabled parking placard duration, and manufactured home conversion procedures.

DMV offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4.

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