Stafford

Stafford Board Responds After Unicorn Protester Warned, AG Says Parents’ Voices Must Be Heard

By Uriah Kiser
Shamgar Connors wore a unicorn costume while addressing the Stafford County School Board on Sept. 9, 2025. The board chair later sent him a letter warning that disruptive behavior could lead to his removal from future meetings.

STAFFORD, Va. – A Stafford County parent who wore a unicorn suit to School Board meetings has been warned about his conduct, even as the U.S. Attorney General issued a memo affirming parents’ rights to speak at public meetings.

On Sept. 10, 2025, Board Member Maureen Siegmund sent a letter to Shamgar Connors, a former teacher with a son in county schools. The letter cited his conduct at the Aug. 27 and Sept. 9 meetings, where he crawled on all fours, mimicked animal behavior, and used stuffed unicorns as props during public comment. Siegmund wrote that while free speech is protected, speakers must maintain decorum, noting that disruptive behavior could result in his removal from future meetings.

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Howell Branch Celebrates 15 Years of Service

By Press Release

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s William J. Howell Branch is celebrating 15 years of service on Thursday, October 9. A brief ceremony with refreshments will be held at 4 p.m. The branch is located at 806 Lyons Boulevard in Stafford County. Howell Branch’s anniversary celebration is open to the public and free of charge.

Opened in 2010 as England Run Branch, the library was renamed in 2018 to honor William J. Howell, retired Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and Stafford County resident. “Over the last 15 years, Howell Branch has become a community hub for inspiration, learning, and connection,” said Executive Director Rebecca Purdy. “The branch has grown and thrived—thanks to the incredible support from Stafford County.”

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Slugging in Stafford Rises Rain or Shine

By Press Release
A driver on who travels Va. 610 decided to let the world know about their commuting habits via their license plates (Mary Davidson/PotomacLocal.com)

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — GWRideConnect conducted its annual slug survey and observed significant activity at the Staffordboro and Warrenton Road Park and Ride lots.

At the Warrenton Road lot, surveyors counted 42 vehicles picking up 104 riders on Tuesday, September 9th. This marks the most substantial slugging presence at the Rt. 17 lot since before the pandemic. “Slugging at Rt. 17 is alive and well,” said Kerry McKenney, GWRideConnect Program Coordinator. “There is plenty of room for more commuters to join in, and many riders expressed interest in seeing greater participation.”

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Stafford voters sue to kick House candidate off ballot over residency dispute

By Uriah Kiser

Virginia Mercury: Three Stafford County voters are asking a judge to remove Democratic House of Delegates nominee Stacey Carroll from the ballot, arguing she doesn’t actually live in the district where she registered to vote and is running for office.

The petition, filed in Stafford County Circuit Court, contends Carroll lives at a longtime home in House District 23 while claiming a different address in neighboring House District 64 to qualify for the race.

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Stafford High School Locked Down Twice After False Alarm—Second Incident in a Week

By Uriah Kiser

STAFFORD, Va. – For the second time in less than a week, Stafford County students experienced a school lockdown.

Stafford High School went into lockdown twice this morning, beginning at approximately 9 a.m., due to a malfunctioning alarm. Deputies and school staff confirmed there was no active threat. The lockdowns were lifted, and regular activity resumed. Parents arriving at the school were directed to nearby Chichester Park.

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Stafford’s House of Delegates Candidates: Balancing State Oversight and Local Authority

By Kelly Sienkowski

This fall, Stafford voters will head to the polls to elect their representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates. All 100 seats are on the ballot, including Stafford’s 23rd, 64th, and 65th districts. Potomac Local News continues to shine the Spotlight on our local elections, inviting all of the candidates from Districts 23, 64, and 65 to a virtual interview with the same five questions; their answers have been condensed into a series of articles.

The videos are available here.  This is the final article in our five-part series. 

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Stafford’s New Schools Will Start Small—Hartwood High Won’t Have Seniors

By Uriah Kiser

“Start small” for now: what we know so far
In response to our inquiries, Sandra Osborn, a school spokeswoman, confirmed that Falls Run and Crow’s Nest elementary schools will open at reduced capacity, and Hartwood High will open without a senior class in its first year. She also shared new details about staffing and the teacher transfer process.

Key takeaways:

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Data centers, Buc-ee’s, and Stafford’s future: Bart Randall talks campaign issues

By Uriah Kiser

Stafford County is at a crossroads. From the debate over data centers to a controversial Buc-ee’s proposal, residents are raising tough questions about growth, taxes, and transparency.

In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, host Uriah Kiser sits down with Bart Randall, a 25-year Navy veteran, 19-year Stafford resident, and candidate for the Garrisonville District Supervisor seat, vying to unseat incumbent Pamela Yeung.

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Stafford’s House of Delegates Candidates: Local Revenue and Veterans’ Tax Exemptions

By Kelly Sienkowski

*Correction: The wrong question was listed when this article was published. The correct question has been updated below.

This fall, Stafford voters will head to the polls to elect their representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates. All 100 seats are on the ballot, including Stafford’s 23rd, 64th, and 65th districts. Potomac Local News continues to shine the Spotlight on our local elections, inviting all of the candidates from Districts 23, 64, and 65 to a virtual interview with the same five questions; their answers have been condensed into a series of articles.

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Autumn Ridge HOA Asks County to Take 3 Acres for Park, Dog Park Potential

By Uriah Kiser

Stafford supervisors will study whether to accept three acres of land from the Autumn Ridge Homeowners Association that could expand Autumn Ridge Park and make way for new amenities, including a long-sought dog park.

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