Stafford County is gearing up for a magical evening to kick off the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Event, scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Stafford County Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event promises various performances, activities, and surprises for the whole family.
Attendees will be treated to holiday music from local choirs and bands, showcasing the talents of Stafford’s youth and community groups. For art enthusiasts, artisans and crafters will offer unique holiday-themed creations.
Kids and adults can enjoy festive activities, including ornament-making stations and a photo booth to capture holiday memories. Food vendors will serve seasonal treats.
The highlight of the evening is a visit from Santa Claus, spreading holiday cheer and posing for photos. However, families should also watch for a naughty guest—none other than the Grinch, who may add a humorous twist to the festivities.
Residents are encouraged to bring their families and friends to this free, community-centered celebration of joy, unity, and holiday spirit. For more details about the event, visit staffordcountytreelighting.com.
On November 19, 2024, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt the 2024 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) as an appendix to the county’s Comprehensive Plan. This update lays the foundation for long-term transportation improvements, addressing existing and future needs through a strategic, phased approach.
The Transportation Master Plan was initiated in 2022 at the direction of the Board of Supervisors. The plan aligns with Stafford County’s Strategic Priorities and builds on transportation studies and community input. A major component is its performance-based approach, which prioritizes projects to maximize safety, reduce congestion, and improve multimodal accessibility.
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Press release:
VDOT HOT SPOTS IN THE FREDERICKSBURG DISTRICT
Dec. 1 – 7, 2024
All work is scheduled weather permitting. Updated information on work zones and lane closures is available on 511.VDOT.Virginia.Gov. VDOT suspended many highway work zones and lifted most lane closures on interstates and other major roads from noon today, Nov. 27 until noon on Monday, Dec. 2, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
I-95 Northbound
Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 140 (Courthouse Road)
Tuesday – Wednesday, 8 p.m.-4:30 a.m. Single lane closure to gather soil samples. Permit work.
City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County
Route 1 Northbound at Falmouth Bridge
The northbound Route 1 lane is closed on the bridge for an emergency repair project. Two southbound lanes and a single northbound lane remain open. Northbound Route 1 delays at peak times are likely. A vehicle weight limit is posted for this bridge, at 16 tons for single-unit vehicles and 24 tons for tractor-trailers.
City of Fredericksburg
Fall Hill Avenue
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Alternating lane closures. Work on pedestrian crossing signal equipment.
Lafayette Boulevard at Twin Lakes/Kensington
Starting Tuesday, Dec. 3, work will start on $2.4 million bicycle and pedestrian connector project. Most of the construction will be on the shoulders and outside of the travel lanes. Read the release here.
King George County
Route 3 (Kings Highway)
Monday – Wednesday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Left lane closure on westbound Route 3 near Lambs Creek Road for guardrail repair.
Route 218
Sunday – Thursday, 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Flagging operation at the bridge over railroad tracks near Route 206 for repairs. Flaggers will alternate, one-way traffic through the work zone.
Spotsylvania County
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound
Monday – Friday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Alternating single and double lane closures between I-95 southbound off-ramp and Southpoint Parkway. Single lane closures starting at 7 p.m. and double lane closures starting at 9 p.m.
Monday – Friday, 7 p.m.- 10 a.m. on Single lane closures between the I-95 southbound off-ramp and Southpoint Parkway.
Route 1 at Southpoint Parkway
Thursday – Friday, 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Mobile operation with alternating lane closures to allow crews to conduct routine safety inspections of the traffic signal poles at the intersection.
Route 1 at Hodgins Road
Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Mobile operation with alternating lane closures to allow crews to conduct routine safety inspections of the traffic signal poles at intersection.
Route 1
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. All travel lanes will remain open, but the alignment of the Route 1 travel lanes has shifted slightly between Arcadia Road and Mudd Tavern Road for road improvement work connected with the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions development. Permit work. Construction will also be underway along the road shoulder.
Route 3
Monday – Thursday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Single lane closures between Spotswood Furnace Road and Corter Avenue for permit work.
Route 17 Business
Thursday – Friday, 7 p.m.- 6 a.m. Mobile operation with alternating lane closures to allow crews to conduct routine safety inspections of the traffic signal poles at the Lee’s Hill Drive intersection.
Edenton Road
Tuesday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Pipe replacement near Dickerson Road. Road will close with a daily detour. Crews will reopen the road at the end of each shift to allow accessibility overnight.
Harrison Road
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure between Kingswood Boulevard and Salem Church Road/Leavells Road with one-way, alternating traffic. Installation of water main under permit.
Harrison Road at Long Branch Drive
Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Guardrail repair. Flaggers will direct drivers through the work zone.
Locklear Landing Subdivision
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mobile lane closures for patching work ahead of upcoming road resurfacing on various routes in the Locklear Landing subdivision.
Millsgarden South Subdivision
Monday – Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mobile lane closures for patching work ahead of upcoming road resurfacing on various routes in the Millsgarden South subdivision.
Southpoint Parkway
Monday – Friday, 7:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m., and Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Single lane closures between Pacific Drive and Route 1.
Spotsylvania Parkway
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Single lane closures between Deep Creek Drive/New Berne Road and Holley Oak Drive/Yellow Brinch Drive for signal work.
Summers Landing Subdivision
Monday –Tuesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mobile lane closures for road resurfacing on various routes in the Summers Landing subdivision.
Stafford County
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure between South Campus Boulevard and the Potomac Creek bridge. Fiber installation. Permit work.
Route 1 Southbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure between Layhill Road and Potomac Creek Drive. Utility installation. Permit work.
Route 3 (Kings Highway)
Sunday – Tuesday, 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Alternating lane closures on Route 3 at the bridge over CSX railroad tracks, which is between Cool Springs Road and Chatham Heights Road. Bridge repairs.
Route 17 Southbound
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure between Village Parkway and Hartwood Church Road for waterline and sewer line installation under permit.
Route 17 Northbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Right lane closure between Poplar Road and Hartwood Church Road. Fiber installation. Permit work.
Route 610 (Garrisonville Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Single lane closure on Route 610 between Algrace Boulevard and Ripley Road. Construction for turn lane extension. Permit work.
Berea Church Road CLOSURE
Berea Church Road is closed from Berea Knolls Drive to Theresa Garden Place, and northbound access is closed from Route 17 to Berea Knolls Drive. Construction for a Stafford County project to improve Berea Church Road. View the project page.
Press release:
Murder Investigation – On November 27 at 8:50PM, officers responded to 13500 block of Delaney Road in [Dale City] to investigate a domestic dispute. The initial caller reported a domestic altercation involving a family member and then stated gun shots were heard when leaving the residence. Officers arrived on the scene and located the accused, later identified as a 20-year-old man, attempting to leave the residence. The accused was detained without incident.
Officers went inside the home and located the victim, later identified as a 20-year-old woman, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers provided aid until the victim was transported to an area hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. The investigation revealed the accused and victim were in a physical altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused retrieved a firearm and shot the victim. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Anthony WHITE JR., was arrested.
Arrested on November 27:
Anthony WHITE JR., 20, of 13515 Delaney RoadCharged with 2nd degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and domestic assault and battery
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT BondIdentified:
The deceased was identified as Rhemidee Iyeshala BARNES, 20, of Woodbridge
The Pence Group is getting closer to breaking ground on its long-awaited 45-acre mixed-use development on Garrisonville Road in North Stafford.
The Reston-based developer is working with Stafford County to finalize the site plan for The Garrison at Stafford, said Pence Group President Geoff Pence. He is hoping that will be approved by the end of the year. The company will then start announcing firmer plans and timelines for the project.
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The City Council unanimously approved the appointment during its Nov. 25 meeting, emphasizing Burke's experience and commitment to the community.
Burke will begin his tenure on Feb. 3, 2025, make a $246,000 annual salary, and bring over two decades of public administration experience to his new role. He has previously served as town manager for Front Royal and Luray, Va., where he was credited with implementing infrastructure projects and fostering community engagement. In January, Burke joined Manassas as the Director of Public Works, where he spearheaded improvements and built a rapport with city staff and residents.
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Press release:
On Sunday, November 24, 2024, at approximately 8:20 a.m., Fredericksburg Police were called to a stabbing in the 1100 block of Townsend Boulevard [near Twin Lakes, just off Route 1].
The suspect, Jaydon Mathew Staples, contacted 911 after stabbing his mother’s boyfriend. Upon arrival, officers noticed Staples flagging them down. Recognizing him as the suspect, they immediately detained him where he cooperated with the police by surrendering the weapon to their custody.
Additional officers arrived and entered the apartment, where they found the victim suffering from severe injuries to his lower abdomen. Officers quickly provided medical aid until EMS arrived. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery and is currently recovering.
Jaydon Mathew Staples, 20, of Fredericksburg, was arrested and charged with the following offense and is currently held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail with no bond.
Members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors may attend a Joint Community Meeting: Housing Matters, which will focus on affordable housing in Prince William County. The meeting, co-hosted by Supervisor Andrea Bailey of the Potomac District and Supervisor Kenny Boddye of the Occoquan District, will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at IKEA at Potomac Mills, 2901 Potomac Mills Circle, Woodbridge.
The discussion comes on the heels of the Board of County Supervisors’ November 19, 2024, meeting, where a proposed Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance was a key topic. The ordinance is part of a broader effort to tackle the county’s housing affordability challenges, aiming to increase the availability of affordable housing units and establish a Housing Trust Fund to support development initiatives.
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Looking for something fun, educational, or relaxing to do today? Whether you’re in the mood for art, a good mystery, or a little gratitude with your drink, we’ve got you covered. Check out these exciting events happening in our area.
Cup of Cozy Mysteries @ Vita Nova Creatives & Coffee
Nokesville Library, 12993 Fitzwater Dr, Nokesville
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries and crave a little community time, stop by the Nokesville Library for Cup of Cozy Mysteries. This fun, laid-back event invites you to chat about your favorite whodunits while enjoying something tasty from Vita Nova Creatives & Coffee.
With a 4.7-star rating, the library is a welcoming space to connect with fellow mystery lovers. So, grab your favorite cozy scarf and spend an hour sharing theories and discovering new reads!
View more details here: pwcgov.libnet.info
Teacher Tuesdays at Eavesdrop Brewery
Eavesdrop Brewery, 7221 Royal Fern Cir, Manassas
Today: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Teachers, this one’s for you! Eavesdrop Brewery wants to thank you for your dedication and hard work. Every Tuesday, teachers can enjoy 10% off their tabs as a small token of appreciation. Gather your colleagues and unwind with some local brews in this cozy and vibrant brewery.
It’s the perfect way to relax, connect, and celebrate the amazing work you do for our community. Don’t forget to bring your school ID to claim your discount!
Learn more about Eavesdrop Brewery: facebook.com/eavesdropbrewery
UMW Galleries Presents: Mid-Atlantic New Painting 2024
UMW Campus Galleries, 1301 College Ave, Fredericksburg
Open today during gallery hours
If you’re in the mood for art, the Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial is a must-see. Hosted by UMW Galleries, this juried exhibition showcases 76 stunning paintings by 69 talented artists from across the region. From abstract to figurative, the range of styles and techniques is sure to inspire.
Admission is free, so it’s a perfect outing for art lovers or anyone looking to explore something new. Can’t make it today? The exhibition runs through January 19, 2025.
View event details here.
Which event will you be checking out? Let us know in the comments below. Add your events to our calendar FREE.
