Stafford

The annual Stafford Christmas Parade returns to Pratt Park on Saturday, December 20, 2025, bringing holiday cheer, festive floats, and community spirit to the heart of Stafford County.

Presented by Stafford Fair, the parade will step off at 3 p.m. Organizers encourage spectators to arrive early to secure parking, grab food, and claim the best viewing spots.


Weather

A strong cold front is pushing through the area this morning, bringing scattered showers early, followed by clearing skies and falling temperatures this afternoon. Gusty west winds will be the main concern today, with breezy conditions lasting into the evening before calming overnight. High pressure builds in Saturday with sunshine and lighter winds, followed by a milder and mostly sunny Sunday.

Upcoming Weather Outlook:


Fredericksburg

“City Council has already stated publicly it will allow the data center developers to use city drinking water to cool their buildings for an unspecified period of time while the recycled water pipeline is being built,” posted Inform Fredericksburg on Facebook. “This creates a whole other set of problems that have yet to be discussed publicly by City Council.”

“So, here’s the question every city resident should be asking: Who’s going to pay to expand the city’s water treatment plant to accommodate a single user?” the post continued. “Taxpayers or the developer?”


Features

The annual Jingle Mingle hosted by WFLS Radio brought the Fredericksburg community together for a festive night that raised more than $6,000 to help local rescue dogs. Held December 12 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center, the event featured a silent auction with big-ticket items like autographed Taylor Swift albums, Richmond getaways, and a recliner from Powell’s Furniture.

WFLS Market Manager Debbie Patten and Promotions Director Sean Quinn, both dog lovers, spearheaded the fundraiser to support Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS). Patten adopted her own dog from ODHS, while Quinn has regularly welcomed rescue dogs and volunteers on air to help connect them with new families.


Fredericksburg

“We encourage members of the Fredericksburg community to participate in these discussions and help shape the vision for this important memorial,” Fredericksburg Area Museum stated. “Public input is integral as we work toward a design that honors history, fosters understanding, and supports community reflection.”

The Fredericksburg Area Museum and the City of Fredericksburg will host a series of public presentations beginning in January 2026 to share and gather feedback on proposed designs for a new memorial at the former site of the historic Auction Block at William and Charles streets.


Traffic

“VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, electric vehicle charging stations and more,” VDOT stated.

The lane-closure pause is intended to reduce congestion during peak holiday travel periods across the Commonwealth. VDOT is encouraging drivers to plan ahead using its 511 travel tools, which include real-time traffic updates, holiday travel trend maps, and hands-free phone alerts. Motorists in Northern Virginia can also check express lane schedules online, while travelers in Hampton Roads are advised to consider alternate routes due to ongoing tunnel construction and extended delays expected at the Route 17 George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge during bridge openings.


Business

“Prince William County is an amazing place to work and live, but it faces a significant shortage of flex/tech buildings, limiting its ability to attract and retain growing companies, which fuel job creation, diversify the tax base, and bolster the regional economy,” St. John Properties said.

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Stafford

Stafford County Supervisor Monica Gary was arrested early Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, and charged with assault and battery of a family member, according to a Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrest report obtained by Potomac Local News.

The arrest marks the second domestic-related incident involving Gary in less than two months and occurred on the same day the Stafford County Board of Supervisors publicly honored her with a proclamation recognizing her service.


Features

A Gen Z–focused marketing campaign created by Prince William Public Libraries has earned national recognition from the Urban Libraries Council, which named the system a Top Innovator for 2025 in the Advocacy and Awareness category.

The award recognizes the campaign, titled “Finding a Way to Slay Among Gen Z,” which originated at Bull Run Library and featured branch manager Gregg Grunow delivering a script written by a teen volunteer using Gen Z slang to promote library services.