The Stafford County School Board will hold a special called meeting on Tuesday, August 27, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, livestreamed online, and televised on local cable channels. The public is invited to attend, but the agenda does not include public comments.

The meeting agenda includes a transportation update; Stafford Public Schools faced a chaotic first week with major software issues that left thousands of students without transportation to and from school. The board will also discuss redistricting for the county’s newest High School, which will impact students in the 2026-27 school year.  The school will be located between Route 17 and Truslow Road in the southwestern part of the county. This area currently does not have a public high school, and the new facility is expected to help alleviate overcrowding in the existing schools.


With school having started in the region these past two weeks, several localities have released safety reminders for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

In a May 2021 report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said between 2010 and 2019, there were 1,080 school transportation-related crashes and 1,199 people of all ages were killed in those crashes.


The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2o24, to delay a decision on the proposed Stafford Technology Park, a sprawling data center complex, until September 17, 2024.

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Stafford County voters will receive a new, unique “I Voted” sticker this year. Ellie Brewer, a senior at Mountain View High School, created the hand-drawn design of a cardinal perched on a dogwood branch, symbolizing the pride and beauty of Virginia.

Brewer’s design will be featured on the official 2024 “I Voted” stickers distributed at polling stations throughout Stafford County. Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) collaborated with Stafford County Government and the Office of Elections to host the 2024 sticker design contest. Students were asked to create designs to inspire voter participation.


“A Stafford man who killed another man in 2022 outside a county motel following a multiday drug binge was ordered Monday to serve 49 years in prison. George Lee Pearson III, 47, was sentenced in Stafford Circuit Court to a total of 68 years with 19 years suspended. He shot and killed 47-year-old Leo D. Franklin of Oxon Hill, Maryland, for reasons that remain unclear.” Read more from The Free Lance-Star.  

On Sunday morning, June 19, deputies found a man suffering a gunshot wound to the chest in the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn, 386 Warrenton Road in Stafford County. Three deputies provided first aid to the victim until medics arrived on the scene to treat and take the victim to a hospital where he later died. Pearson fled the scene armed with a handgun. Deputies were able to speak with him through FaceTime on his phone. Pearson eventually stopped on an exit ramp of I-95 and surrendered at 11:30 a.m.


Acting Superintendent Chris Fulmer said 99% of Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) students have now been assigned bus routes, but “despite our best efforts, there are students without confirmed routes.”

SCPS began the year with significant transportation issues, with almost 3,000 students who had no assigned bus route. Parents were notified the night before school began for Kindergarteners, Sixth and Ninth graders. The issues continued throughout the first week. According to Fulmer, the issues were due to a software issue with the new transportation app.


The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has scheduled various lane closures and maintenance work on I-95 and Route 3 in the Fredericksburg District from August 18-24, 2024, affecting both northbound and southbound traffic. Additionally, the Falmouth Bridge on Route 1 will have alternating lane closures for load testing, with full traffic stops planned for certain nights as part of a future major rehabilitation project.

Press release:


The show at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts centers on Hercule Poirot, the famed Belgian detective, tasked with unraveling the mystery of an American tycoon found dead in his compartment. The victim was stabbed multiple times, and the door to his room was locked from the inside. With the train immobilized and no escape possible, Poirot must sift through the alibis and secrets of the eclectic group of passengers to find the killer before they strike again.

Kevin Cleary steps into the shoes of Detective Poirot, delivering a performance that aligns well with the iconic sleuth’s meticulous and observant nature. His portrayal anchors the show, guiding the audience through the intricate investigation. Andrea Kahane, as Mrs. Hubbard, adds a layer of charm and wit to the production. Her character injects humor into the otherwise tense atmosphere, making her a memorable presence on stage. Kathy Helenda’s depiction of Princess Dragonmiroff is also noteworthy, particularly in her interactions with Stephanie Wood, who plays Greta Ohlosson. The chemistry between these characters enhances the unfolding drama and keeps the audience engaged.


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