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The Haymarket museum is reopening later this month under a public-private partnership between the town and Haymarket Coffee Company.

According to the town planner and zoning administrator, Emily Lockhart, the town had been looking for opportunities to reopen the museum in a more cost-effective manner.

Lockhart mentioned that the town considered multiple options including providing seasonal exhibits, opening the space as an art gallery for local artisans, and entering into a partnership with a local business.

The new partnership comes as the museum has been closed for more than a year because the town has been unable to hire someone to work there.

On Monday, Aug. 3, the town council approved the partnership with Haymarket Coffee Company and now the museum is set to reopen to the public.

“This rental allows the Town the opportunity to reopen our beloved Museum to the public every single weekend. Previously with staffing schedules and costs we were unable to open the Museum on a weekly basis,” Lockhart explained.

This new partnership will bring some changes to the museum’s look.

“Our vision is to provide a coffee counter inside the space, comfortable seating and history in all forms, from floor to ceiling. Visitors will be able to walk right in, see the Town’s history dating back to 1799 and enjoy a hot cup of coffee while they take it all in,” Lockhart said.

Visitors can expect to learn about the town’s creation and historic structures, as well as the burning of Haymarket, all with coffee in-hand.

According to Lockhart, the museum’s opening and new hours are currently tentative. The current plan is to reopen the museum on Aug. 22.

The museum will then be open Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

These changes come as Haymarket attempts to form itself into a tourist destination with an emphasis on local history.

At the end of summer or early fall, the town expects to break ground on its first hotel, according to Lockhart.

In addition, the town passed a budget earlier this year which included a transient occupancy tax, which is paid on temporary lodging at hotels, as well as a fund for tourist advertising.

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Powers Great American Midways erected its carnival in Jefferson Plaza, next to Todos Supermarket in Marumsco Plaza on Route 1 in Woodbridge. It’s a mix of rides, like the Ferris Wheel, swings, and that spinning spaceship that makes you feel sick once the ride comes to a complete stop.

Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin

Prince William County issued the permit for the carnival — one of at least two that has sprung up in the county this summer.

“This year has been very limited as lots of events have been canceled,” said Marc Janis, a carnival spokesman.” Thanks to local government and CDC guidelines, we’ve been able to set up.”

Before anyone can enter, masks are required, and their temperatures must be checked the door to ensure customers are not running a fever. The procedure is similar to walking into the county courthouse or going to the Apple Store in Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center.

There’s also a cop on how many people can enter the fair — 250, says Janis. About 50 hand sanitizing stations are set up for people to use, and seats on rides will be spaced out to allow for social distancing, he adds.

He likens his to other businesses like Target or Walmart, which have stayed open during the pandemic but have put in place restrictions on proper distancing, mask rules, and directional signs on floors to keep people from congregating in the same areas.

“If [people] uncomfortable and don’t want to come, that’s a personal choice,” said Janis.

The carnival has made Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin uncomfortable. She issued a statement about the fair in her district, noting she’s received multiple complaints about the carnival in town.

“Unfortunately, under the Governor’s current orders regarding the various phases in which the economy is allowed to operate during COVID-19, the carnival is allowed to take place because it complies within the parameters regarding large gatherings,” penned Franklin.

In May, Dale City and Woodbridge had the most reported cases of coronavirus in the state.

That’s a fact that Janis said he wasn’t aware of when the carnival decided to come to Woodbridge.

While the carnival is permitted under the governor’s reopening guidelines, Franklin says she’ll pressure local lawmakers to allow localities like Prince William County to limit events large events.

“I have also been in touch with the Governor’s office regarding my concerns and will send a formal letter with my request,” said Franklin.

The carnival runs through Sunday, August 16. It’s open today through Thursday 6 t0 11 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday 3 to 11 p.m.

Admission is $3 per person.

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A woman driving under the influence was found having drugs in her possession which she intended on distributing with a child in the car, according to law enforcement officers in Stafford County.

DUI
Wawa, 105 Garrisonville Road, 8/7, 9:56 p.m. Deputy Hurt responded to the convenience store for a report of a male asleep in a vehicle in the parking lot. Deputy Hurt arrived to find Dustin Cornell, 37, of Spotsylvania, asleep in the driver’s seat of the running vehicle with his foot on the brake and the vehicle in reverse. The deputy was able to put the car in park and wake up Cornell. Field sobriety tests were conducted and a search warrant for blood was executed. Cornell was charged with DUI and held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $3,000 secure bond.

Kyle Court/Hastings Drive, 8/8, 8:11 p.m. Sgt. Haney and Deputy Aubrecht responded to the area for a possible drunk driver. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Stephanie Hall, 42, of Stafford. Field sobriety tests were conducted and Hall was arrested for DUI. A search warrant for blood was executed. Deputies located suspected controlled substances in the vehicle. Hall was charged with DUI, driving after forfeiture of license, possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. She received an additional charge of child neglect since there was a juvenile in the car. Hall was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

FRAUD
Oak Grove Lane, 8/7, 4:18 p.m. Resident reported her name was used to rent a vehicle through Expedia at the Kansas City International Airport. The incident was also reported to the Kansas City Police Department and is under investigation.

Crows Nest Cove, 8/8, 4:43 p.m. Resident reported his credit card company froze his account due to fraudulent activity. He determined there were three unauthorized charges made in Maryland. The incident is under investigation.

LARCENY
Home Depot, 305 Worth Avenue, 8/7, 3:26 p.m. Resident reported while her vehicle was parked in the lot overnight, both tags were stolen. The incident is under investigation.

Basalt Drive, 8/8, 2:43 p.m. Resident reported his American flag was stolen from the front porch at 2:08 a.m. The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Deputy Hutcheson at 540-658-4400.”

Anyone with information on any of the above events is urged to contact Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400.

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