Stafford County will host its annual 9/11 ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The ceremony will be held at the George L. Gordon, Jr. Government Center in recognition and remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

This year marks 23 years since over 3,000 people died during attacks on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Stafford has held an annual bell-ringing ceremony since 2002. This year’s speakers include Stafford Fire and Rescue Chief Joseph Cardello, Sheriff David Decatur, and Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Meg Bohmke. The county has made a video invitation inviting Stafford residents to the ceremony.

The Government Center is located at 1300 Courthouse Road.

Stafford's Economic Development team is launching a new program for aspiring and established business owners.

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A consulting firm, Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects, is seeking more public input on the future of Alum Spring Park, Old Mill Park, and Ficklen Island in Fredericksburg. Since February, they have been gathering feedback to refine the city’s Parks and Recreation master plan.

Key issues identified include flooding and outdated facilities at Old Mill Park, the need for improved access and trail repairs at Alum Spring Park, and the potential removal of a concrete dam at Ficklen Island. The consultants have developed several concepts to address these concerns and now ask the public to weigh in on their recommendations before presenting them to city council this fall.The firm’s presentation, including maps and surveys, is available online.

Fredericksburg Free Press has more information on the proposed plans.

Our second week of candidate survey questions generated responses from three of the four candidates. To help voters in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District make an informed decision, we continue a feature series offering insights into each candidate’s stand on critical issues affecting our area.

Candidates are emailed a question and asked to reply by a deadline This format lets voters quickly compare the candidates’ views on critical issues, helping them make an informed choice come election day.

The second question focused on transparency in government in relation to media and to citizens.

Early voting in Virginia begins Sept. 20. Senator Tim Kaine and Hung Cao are running for the Virginia seat in the Senate. Derrick Anderson and Eugene Vindman are running for the District 7 seat in the House of Representatives.

This week, we asked Tim Kaine (D) and Hung Cao (R) the following question:

How do you view the role of the mainstream media in holding government officials accountable, and what steps would you take to ensure that media outlets have the freedom and resources to report accurately and independently?

Kaine responded:

“A free and vibrant press is critical to any democracy. Amidst growing threats to democratic values around the world, we must redouble our efforts to promote press freedom and protect journalists. When reporters like Vladimir Kara-Murza and Evan Gershkovich were wrongfully detained for years by Russian authorities, I worked with the administration to push for their release. I was heartened to see both of them return home this summer. I have also introduced a bipartisan bill, the International Press Freedom Act, that would help protect at-risk journalists working in countries with high censorship by creating a new visa category for threatened journalists and opening a new office within the State Department to combat crimes against journalists. Moreover, I have been proud to engage with and support local newsrooms over the course of my career, especially in Virginia. Local press plays an indispensable role in holding leaders accountable and providing communities with answers to important questions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I urged Senate leaders to include funding to support local journalism and media in any relief packages.”

Cao responded:

“Lately the mainstream media has been carrying water for government officials rather than holding them accountable, even going so far as to censor opposing views. What has been disclosed about the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to coordinate with both media outlets and social media platforms to censor and restrict free speech is incredibly troubling. Freedom of speech and freedom of thought are on the ballot this November. The First Amendment was not put in place only to protect media outlets, but to protect the American people’s right to free speech. I fought for that right for twenty-five years in the Navy, and I’m not done.”

We asked Derrick Anderson (R) and Eugene Vindman (D), both running for House of Representatives the following question:

How do you plan to promote greater transparency in the legislative process, including making it easier for constituents to understand how decisions are made and how their representatives are voting?

Anderson responded:

“They say that how a person campaigns is how they’ll govern, and right now VA-07 voters are seeing a real-world example of how Yevgeny Vindman would govern —  he’s dodging public debates and he’s dodging questions about inflating his military record.

I’m dedicated to being open and accessible to as many voters as possible. The six debates and forums I accepted are one of the many ways I’ll do so, and I challenge my opponent to accept them as well.”

Vindman did not respond.

This series will continue next week. If you have suggestions for topics, feel free to add a comment.

The Stafford County Department of Capital Projects is holding a Citizen Information Meeting to discuss the upcoming Stefaniga and Mountain View Road Intersection Improvement Project. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Mountain View High School.

The project aims to improve safety and traffic flow by realigning the Stefaniga/Mountain View Road intersection with the nearby Lightfoot Drive/Mountain View Road intersection, converting it into a single-lane roundabout. New sidewalks and curb ramps will also be added to enhance pedestrian safety and connectivity. The projected cause is over $5.2 million, funded by  VDOT SMART SCALE, Federal CDS, and Local Funding.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting or submit comments online by September 22, 2024.

Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3. at 5 p.m.

On the agenda:

Planning and zoning is submitting a request to authorize the Interim County Administrator to purchase 55 acres off of Spotted Tavern Road as part of a land conservation program. The property is Tax Map Parcel No. 25-38 (Harris Property), and the request also includes budgeting and appropriating the state portion of the funds for the purchase.

The projected fiscal impact is $425k with at least $212k reimbursable by the Commonwealth.

The Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program is a growth management tool that offers landowners an alternative to selling land for development. The program preserves the County’s open space, agricultural and forested lands, and natural and cultural resources. Under the PDR Program, the County pays property owners to prevent the land from being developed, while the property owner retains ownership of the property, may reside on the property, and can maintain its existing uses. The program requires an agreement between the property owner and the County, and an easement restricting further development is placed on the property.

The Historical Preservation Committee is asking the board to considering evaluating several properties for preservation.

1 – Sherwood Forest Farm, 540 acres, contains numerous historic structures, and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been the subject of multiple architectural and archaeological surveys over the past decade, with future research potential. The current owner received a Historic Preservation Award for their efforts to stabilize several of the contributing buildings.

2 – Clifton Chapel, the site of a pre-1850 chapel which was occupied during the Civil War, restored post civil war and again in 2000-2001 by private individuals. It is an outstanding example of what is known as a ‘Chapel of Convenience’. Staff recommends that it be viewed as potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places pending formal evaluation. Attempts are being made to notify the owner of the ARB’s recommendation.

3 – The Architectural Review Board (ARB) has requested the Board consider addressing the condition of the Grizzle building at 60 Butler Road, a County-owned historic resource. The building is experiencing active deterioration which appears to be threatening its viability. The Board will be asked to consider that an assessment be done by a qualified engineer or preservation contractor in order to update our understanding of the building’s current condition.

Parks, Recreation, Facilities and Tourism are asking the board to approve $325k from the FY25 Capital Improvement Fund in order to purchase and install an agility and workout course at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park. The agility playground will be encourage children’s physical exercise, promote balance and skill development, and critical thinking skills. The workout stations will be set up around the walking and biking trails with a variety of equipment that targets different core muscle groups. 

The agility course at Pratt Park was approved and budgeted in the FY2025 Capital Improvement Program.

Fredericksburg Police has posted several recent arrests on their Facebook page. Below are a few recent incidents.

Attempted Aggravated Malicious Wounding

The Fredericksburg Police Department has taken Anthony L. Pittman, Jr. of Stafford into custody. Pittman was wanted on charges of Attempted Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Reckless Driving with the Intent to Injure, Destruction of Property, and Protective Order. 

On August 29, at 5:15 p.m., the Fredericksburg Police E-911 Center received a report of a male subject who attempted to run over a female in the 400 block of Riverside Drive. The driver hit a milepost marker on the Heritage Trail preventing him from running over the female. The male then left the area in a U-Haul pick-up truck. Officers and a Detective responded to the scene and conducted interviews and collected evidence. They were able to identify the suspect and issue a wanted notice.

 Possession of Drugs, Firearms, and Ammunition

On August 22, 2024, Officer Hibbitts provided backup for a traffic stop along Fall Hill Avenue. During the assist, Officer Hibbitts noted a vehicle pass the traffic stop, and the driver failed to move over or slow down for the emergency vehicles. Officer Hibbitts stopped the vehicle on Roffman Road and Officer Murphy and K9 Raider arrived to assist. K9 Raider indicated the presence of drug odor coming from the car. A search of the vehicle yielded digital scales, drug packaging materials, fentanyl pills, and a loaded firearm. 

Bryan Frye, 57, of Fredericksburg, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a schedule I/II drug, possession of a firearm while possessing a schedule I/II drug, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, possession of ammunition as a convicted felon, and failure to move over for emergency vehicles. Frye was transported to the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $3,000 bond.

Possession of Drugs, Ammunition, and False Identity

On August 21, 2024, Officer Velasco provided backup for atraffic stop in the 1800 block of Emancipation Highway. During the assist, Officer Velasco noted a vehicle passing the traffic stop, and the driver failed to move over or slow down for the emergency vehicles. 

Officer Velasco stopped the second vehicle and Officer Hibbitts arrived on scene to assist. While speaking with the occupants, officers noted drug items in plain view. While Officer Velasco searched the vehicle’s driver, Officer Hibbitts attempted to identify the female passenger who repeatedly provided a false name and date of birth. 

After speaking with the driver, Officer Velasco quickly realized that he had dealt with the passenger on a previous call and was able to determine her true identity. The passenger was wanted through Stafford County for failure to appear on a drug charge. A search of the vehicle yielded illegal narcotics and ammunition. 

The driver, Kyle Hill, 26, of Spotsylvania, was arrested and charged with possession of a schedule I/II drug, possession of ammunition by a felon, no driver’s license, and failing to move over for an emergency vehicle. 

The passenger, Skylar McFadden, 25, of Spotsylvania, was arrested and charged with identity theft and false ID to avoid arrest. McFadden and Hill were turned over to the Rappahannock Regional Jail on $2,000 bonds.

All 50 states have “Move Over” laws, which require motorists to slow down or move over when they encounter vehicles with flashing lights, including hazard lights and first responder lights. Virginia adopted the law in 2002.

Yesterday’s storm brought high winds and heavy rains to a wide area ranging from Spotsylvania to Maryland. Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reports the Hartwood Area experienced heavy damage, with trees on power lines and Spotted Tavern Road closed due to hazards.

The National Weather Service reports Fredericksburg received between 2.2 and 2.9 inches. Prince William County ranged from 1.89 inches to 3.57; Woodbridge, Gainsville, and Nokesville all received over 3 inches of rain. Measurements at the Stafford Regional Airport showed 6.87 inches, and Falmouth received just over 4 inches. Fredericksburg received 2 inches.

No flood warning has been issued for the Fredericksburg area in anticipation of the Rappahannock River rising. As of noon Friday, water levels were low.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association showed reports of hail in Stafford County and Loudon. Numerous trees and downed power lines have been reported throughout the region.

Spotsylvania County Public Schools closed Courtland High School, Courtland Elementary, Courthouse Road Elementary, and Spotsylvania Middle School late this morning. Some students had already boarded buses and were being returned to their homes.