STAFFORD, Va. â A new class of future first responders is ready to serve.
In a Facebook post, Stafford County Public Schools congratulated the graduates of High School Fire Academy 6, a program that prepares high school students for careers in fire and emergency services. The photo shows a proud group of students in uniform standing in front of the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department, smiling with certificates in hand.
STAFFORD, Va. â Stafford County residents gathered at the Armed Services Memorial on Friday, May 23, 2025, for the countyâs annual Memorial Day Ceremony, a time to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to the nation.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Deuntay Diggs opened the ceremony by thanking those in attendance and inviting veterans and their families to stand. âWe welcome you and thank you for coming today to help us honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,â said Diggs. âWe do this because it is our solemn sacred duty, but more than that, we do it to ensure their sacrifice was not in vainâ.
STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. â Falmouth Elementary School students got a fresh taste of hands-on learning today, thanks to a Project Learning Garden enhancement grant from Cox Enterprises and the Captain Planet Foundation. The school celebrated the expansion of its outdoor classroom during a community event that drew local leaders and education supporters.
Originally built by students in 2017, the school’s learning garden now includes five raised beds filled with organic soil where students grow a variety of vegetables and herbs. With the help of a $500 grant, new gardening tools, a Vitamix blender, and a mobile cooking cart, students harvested their produce and prepared a garden-fresh saladâlearning about nutrition, science, and sustainability in the process.
Winston was adopted just yesterday by a family who already had a dog, Dory. The adopter, a bit hesitant about adding a feline to the mix, asked if he could return Winston if things didnât work out. The shelterâs answer? Yesâbut they always recommend giving pets time to adjust.
Turns out, time wasnât needed. From the moment they met, Dory and Winston clicked. The gentle dog found a little brother to watch over, and the curious kitten found a best friend. Itâs a heartwarming match that shows just how magical adoption can be.
STAFFORD, Va. â Students in the Cyber4+ Cohort I (Class of 2026) from Stafford County Public Schools came together for a special luncheon on Tuesday, May 20, at Robiolina Italian Cuisine. The event, themed âCyber4+ Reflect â Whatâs Next,â offered students a chance to reflect on their progress and connect with local mentors in cybersecurity, IT, and public service.
According to a press release from the school division, Cyber4+ launched in 2021 through the Virginia Department of Educationâs CTE High School Innovation Grant. The program is a partnership between Stafford County Public Schools, Germanna Community College, GCubed Inc., and the Stafford County Office of Economic Development and Tourism. It helps high school students earn CompTIA certifications and prepares them for jobs in the fast-growing cybersecurity field.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. â Starting Memorial Day weekend, visitors heading to the Rappahannock River will notice something familiar at two popular parks: entrance and parking fees are back for the summer season.
At Old Mill Park in Fredericksburg, fees will be collected Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., now through Labor Day. Non-residentsâthose who live outside the City of Fredericksburg and Stafford Countyâwill pay $15 per car or $5 per walk-in visitor aged 12 and up. City and county residents can enter for free with valid ID. The park remains open daily but closes from dusk to dawn.
STAFFORD, Va. â The FBI is reviewing the actions of one of its off-duty agents involved in a fatal shooting earlier this year in a Stafford County neighborhood. That agent now faces four separate criminal charges stemming from unrelated firearm incidents.
The shooting occurred on February 28, 2025, in the Stratford Place subdivision. Deputies from the Stafford County Sheriffâs Office responded to reports of a reckless off-road motorcyclist. Authorities say the rider fled after being confronted by Benjamin Spinale, a 43-year-old off-duty FBI agent. The motorcyclist later returned with several family members, prompting deputies to initiate a traffic stop.
