Stafford

Just before 1 a.m. Sunday, April 19, units were called to a structure fire along Glen Oak Road near Deacon Road. First-arriving crews found smoke and flames coming from the rear of a single-family home. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze to the back deck, with only minimal heat damage to the exterior of the residence. The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause as routine procedure. Units were assisted on scene by the Fredericksburg Fire Department.

Earlier on Saturday, April 18, two other fires kept crews busy. Just before 1:30 p.m., units responded to a reported structure fire in the 500 block of Sanford Drive near Greenbank Road. Crews arrived within about five minutes and found a large shed heavily involved in flames that had begun spreading to the surrounding area. Firefighters extinguished the fire and confirmed it did not extend into the adjacent residence, though the home did sustain some damage. The Fire Marshal’s Office is also investigating this incident.


Features

The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team will be honored with a city-wide celebration this weekend following its historic NCAA Division III national championship. The university’s Fan Fest is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Anderson Center on the Fredericksburg campus, with a team trolley traveling through downtown ahead of the event.

The celebration will include fan activities, food trucks, and opportunities for the public to meet players and celebrate the title.


Fredericksburg

The City of Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events Department invites the community to its annual Earth Day Festival on the Rappahannock this Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Old Mill Park, 2201 Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

The region’s largest Earth Day celebration offers free family fun with more than 70 local vendors, live music, food trucks, hands-on environmental activities and a sensory tent. Attendees can try kayaking in a paddling pool, climb a rock wall, join goat yoga or relax with live music. Activities suit all ages.


Event

Join the New Dominion Choraliers put on a concert to honor the 250th Anniversary of the USA! The music in this choral concert captures the heart and soul of the American spirit through patriotic tunes and songs from the heartland. Joining the chorus are dancers from Dance Etc. School of the Arts and accompaniment from the talented members of Legacy Brass.

This family friendly and FREE event is perfect for young and old. Kids, parents, and grandparents will be familiar with many of the songs in this inspirational program. There are two opportunities to attend: Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 pm or Sunday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m.


Stafford

Clark Patton Road wells remain dry or insufficient for many of the more than 30 homes in Stafford County’s Hartwood District. Residents returned to the Board of Supervisors on April 7, 2026, to renew their plea for a permanent water solution.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in


Prince William

Prince William County supervisors on April 14, 2026, approved a 1 percentage point reduction in the meals tax during the fiscal year 2027 budget markup session, lowering the rate from 3% to 2% effective January 1, 2027. The change is projected to result in an annual revenue loss of more than $6 million for the county.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in


Prince William

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted 5-3 on April 7, 2026, to amend the county’s collective bargaining ordinance, eliminating the 12-month expiration on employee authorization cards in Section 2-217.B.3.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in


Fredericksburg

As Fredericksburg City Schools prepares its FY2027 budget, aging building systems and deferred maintenance took center stage during the April 14, 2026, joint work session with City Council.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in


Stafford

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has completed its transition to nonprofit status. At the April 7, 2026, Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting, Liz Lane provided an update on the organization’s progress.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in


Features

Actors Theatre at the ARTfactory will present Disney’s Newsies the Musical at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas this June. The high-energy show, based on the real 1899 Newsboys Strike in New York City, follows young newspaper sellers who unite against powerful publishers for fair treatment. It features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman with a book by Harvey Fierstein.

The production runs June 5 through June 21 in the Gregory Family Theater. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on June 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, and at 2 p.m. on June 7, 14 and 21. Directed by Caroline Scarborough, the cast includes Evan Zimmerman as Jack Kelly, Sean Pflueger as Joseph Pulitzer, and many others from the area.