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Interstate 95 over the Rappahannock River. [VDOT]
As Stafford County leaders push forward with plans for a Western Road Network to relieve congestion west of Interstate 95, tensions continue to rise over the future of a proposed Rappahannock River crossing. Discussions at the Stafford Board of Supervisors and Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) meetings reveal deep divisions over tackling regional transportation challenges, infrastructure expansion, and funding concerns.

While Stafford officials champion a north-south corridor west of I-95, officials in Fredericksburg remain focused on a new river crossing, though disagreements persist over its location, cost, and environmental impact.

Stafford Advances Western Road Network Proposal

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Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega has issued a directive to widen Route 28 from four to six lanes between the Manassas City Line and the Fairfax County Line, marking a significant shift in the county's approach to alleviating traffic congestion. Vega's directive follows the Board of County Supervisors' recent vote to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project.

The directive to widen the roughly three-mile stretch of roadway has been assigned to the Department of Transportation and Planning, which oversees the project's development. The corridor is lined with businesses on each side, and the widening will require crews to relocate utilities and likely the purchase of commercial properties to accommodate the wider lanes.

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Residents of Prince William County and surrounding areas now have access to the latest in medical imaging technology, thanks to a major investment by UVA Prince William Medical Center. The hospital has introduced a new state-of-the-art MRI system that promises faster scan times, enhanced image quality, and an improved patient experience.

MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is crucial in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions, from orthopedic injuries to neurological disorders and cancer. According to Donna Staton, Chief Operations Officer for UVA Community Health, the demand for MRI services has seen double-digit growth in recent years, driven by population increases and expanded specialty care offerings at the hospital.

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Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth (Photo: Mike Beaty)

The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has been ordered to pay a $22,250 sanction for violating Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The FOIA law is intended to promote government transparency and public awareness of government activities.

Valeria Juarez, a citizen of Fairfax County, filed a lawsuit in 2023 after a series of FOIA requests either failed to include all requested documents or contained so many redactions that they were unreadable. Juarez contended that the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office initially failed to provide 172 requested emails, and when they were eventually produced, they were so heavily redacted that they contained no meaningful information.

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Stafford County School Board members pose with division employees in honor of School Board Clerk Appreciation Week. [Photo: Stafford County Public Schools Facebook page]
During its regular meeting on February 25, 2025, the Stafford County School Board unanimously approved a $503.1 million budget request for Fiscal Year 2026. The budget fully implements Phase III of the service professionals' salary scale and Phase IV of the licensed salary scale while also increasing the base starting salary for teachers to $51,500.

Budget Breakdown & Funding Challenges

The $503.1 million budget represents an increase of $8.3 million in state revenue based on the General Assembly’s budget, bringing the division’s total anticipated increase in state funding to $18.9 million. However, despite the added funds, the projected funding shortfall now stands at $18.3 million.

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Fredericksburg City Hall

The Fredericksburg City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, to approve the Technology Overlay District (TOD), paving the way for data centers in Celebrate Virginia South. Today, the city revealed that Central Park developer The Silver Companies and STACK Infrastructure announced an agreement to build as many as 8-12 data sets in the city.

It marked the first time the public learned who would build and how many data centers would be built. The decision marks a shift in the city’s development strategy, prioritizing high-tech commercial investment over the previously envisioned mixed-use development.

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Demi-god Maui will make an appearance at the FSO's Lolli-Pops program.

The Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra (FSO) will bring its Lolli-Pops concert, an interactive program designed to introduce young audiences to the world of classical music, to James Monroe High School on March 15. The concert's theme is "A Salute to Mother Earth."

The Lolli-Pops concert is aimed at children from toddler age and up, offering a kid-friendly format that features well-known tunes such as "America the Beautiful," "Over the Rainbow," and selections from Disney’s Moana. More mature audiences can look forward to hearing "Variations on a Shaker Melody" from Appalachian Spring and The Moldau, among other pieces.

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Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

The Town of Dumfries is considering relocating its Farmers Market to a more high-traffic area in an effort to boost accessibility and attract more vendors. This discussion comes as part of the town’s broader push for economic growth, which includes new housing developments, business expansions, and infrastructure improvements.

Farmers Market Relocation Considered to Improve Access and Participation

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[Photo by Jordan Harrison on Unsplash]
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to change how data centers are permitted. It is considering requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) rather than allowing them by right for such facilities in the M-2 Heavy Industrial zoning district.

At the February 18, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, the members discussed Resolution R25-43, which proposes amending Stafford County Code Section 28-35 and modifying the Table of Uses and Standards to introduce additional oversight for data center developments. To gather public feedback, a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission is scheduled for March 18, 2025.

Reasons for the Change

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