A new arcade in Spotsylvania Towne Centre is flipping the script on traditional gaming — replacing joysticks and tokens with skill-based claw machines designed to let players walk away winners.
Planet Novak, a claw-style arcade featuring nearly 50 prize machines, opened Nov. 1 across from Build-A-Bear and near the children’s play area.
A new imagination-based play space has landed in Stafford, created by a mom who saw a gap—and decided to fill it.
Silly Goose Imagination Village in North Stafford was founded by Ellen Devine, who moved to the area in 2024 and quickly noticed a lack of activities for her youngest child. While she frequented local libraries and restaurants with play areas, Devine said she “craved…a comfortable place to connect with people on a regular basis.”
The Stafford Tourism & Business Marketing Summit has been rescheduled due to anticipated winter weather, with organizers moving the event to early February while keeping the same location and agenda.
Key Takeaways
“The new facility brings more than 225 jobs to the area, with additional positions available,” the county said, noting the site incorporates advanced automation technology alongside traditional distribution operations.
County officials said the distribution center is expected to play a key role in supporting O’Reilly Auto Parts’ continued growth across the Mid-Atlantic region while expanding employment opportunities in Stafford County.
Prince William County officials reviewed the results of a yearlong workforce development study on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, outlining how the county could take a more active role in connecting workers, employers, and training providers without duplicating existing services.
The presentation, delivered during the Dec. 16 Board of County Supervisors meeting, focused on findings from a $100,000 workforce study funded with American Rescue Plan Act economic recovery dollars and conducted by TIP Strategies.
“Electra doesn’t have ‘the complication others face of going through a still untested certification pathway,’” Aerospace America reported. “This [Part 23] is a certification pathway that’s well understood, and we have a team that’s gone through that pathway dozens and dozens of times.” “That rewrite of Part 23 is going to significantly facilitate our pathway through certification, just as the FAA intended,” the outlet added.
Electra has submitted its application to certify the nine-seat EL9 for commercial and military use and has expanded its footprint at Manassas Regional Airport, where it is building its first aircraft and displaying a full-size mockup. Flight tests are planned to begin in 2027, followed by three prototypes for FAA pilot evaluations. The EL9 is designed for ultra-short takeoffs and landings enabled by blown-lift aerodynamics, and the company is evaluating a future manufacturing site to support mass production.
“We are dedicated to delivering the same exceptional service and support that our customers have come to rely on. We’re excited to personally welcome Versivo customers and team members into the Naviant community,” Naviant announced. “Becoming part of Naviant allows us to accelerate innovation and expand what’s possible for our customers. With Naviant’s award-winning Hyland partnership and shared dedication to excellence, we’re well positioned to help customers achieve even more through automation and AI.”
“Versivo has built a strong reputation for exceptional customer care, and we’re thrilled to join forces with their talented team and valued customers. We believe this acquisition will elevate everyone’s AI and intelligent automation journey to the next level,” the company added.
