The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) hosted the 2025 Fredericksburg Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 1, at James Monroe High School.
The competition, sponsored by Access Eye, Fredericksburg Host Lions Club, and the Kiwanis Club of Fredericksburg, featured 14 division winners from across the region.
Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) has appointed Dr. Christopher Newman, MD, MBA, as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Newman, who has been with MWHC since 2019 as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer, takes over following the departure of Dr. Michael McDermott, who served as CEO since 2015.
McDermott announced his resignation in December 2024 to become the President and CEO of Montage Health, a healthcare system based in Monterey, California. McDermott expanded services during his tenure at MWHC, strengthened the system’s financial position, and advanced its reputation as a leading healthcare provider in the region, according to a press release.
Stafford County
The incident occurred on February 22, 2025, when deputies responded to Malvern Lakes Circle after receiving reports of a shooting. Authorities warned residents about a significant police presence in the area but did not immediately provide information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Sheriff’s Office has remained tight-lipped about possible suspects or the motive behind the incident.
Firefighters found a single-wide mobile home fully engulfed in flames, with fire spreading to nearby wooded areas. Crews worked to contain the fire and brought the structure fire under control in less than 15 minutes, according to Stafford fire and rescue spokeswoman Katie Brady. The brush fire, which spread across one acre, was contained within 30 minutes, she added.
The mobile home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Multiple passersby reported the fire. No residents were displaced, and no injuries were reported.
According to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a reckless driver and disturbance in the area at approximately 6:35 p.m. The incident began when an off-duty federal law enforcement officer confronted a motorcyclist reportedly driving recklessly on an off-road motorcycle. The motorcyclist initially left the scene but later returned with family members. Deputies stopped them in a white Lincoln near the intersection of North Jenny Lynn Road and Cross Cut Lane, where a confrontation ensued, about a mile from a Giant Food store at Town and Country Marketplace on White Oak Road.
Police said that three individuals—identified as Nicolas Vazquez, 20, Angel Vazquez, 21, and Xavier Vazquez, 46—began causing a disturbance with both the deputies and the off-duty agent, who lives in the neighborhood and was out walking his dog. As deputies attempted to control the situation, the encounter turned physical, Stafford County authorities said.
Stafford County
On February 26 at 7:12 PM, Deputies C.R. Newman and C.M. Sterne responded to a disturbance in the area. Callers reported that an argument had turned “kind of physical,” police said.
Couples planning their big day will have a unique opportunity to explore premier wedding venues, meet top vendors, and gather inspiration at the first annual Simply Perfect Stafford’s Premier Wedding Expo on March 8, 2025. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Stafford from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a showcase of Stafford County’s finest wedding resources.
Lisa Logan, Tourism Program Director for Stafford County, emphasized the importance of this expo in providing engaged couples with a one-stop shop for their wedding planning needs. “We are bringing together over 40 vendors offering everything from photography and catering to floral design and entertainment,” Logan said. “We’ll also have door prizes throughout the day and an opportunity for guests to learn more about the incredible venues Stafford County has to offer.”
