Stafford

Stafford Library Services Face Cuts After $660K Funding Reduction Despite Tax Hike

By Emilie McGinnis

Stafford County residents, the heaviest users of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) system, will see reduced services after the Board of Supervisors approved a nearly $660,000 cut to library operating funds for FY27.

The reduction comes despite the board’s approval of a real estate tax rate increase of more than four cents per $100 of assessed value in the FY2027 budget. That hike, combined with rising property assessments, added hundreds to nearly $2,000 or more to many homeowners’ annual tax bills.

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Stafford Shifts River Crossing Alignment to Spare Subdivisions in Comprehensive Plan Update

By Potomac Local News
Interstate 95 over the Rappahannock River. [VDOT]

Stafford County is advancing revisions to its Comprehensive Plan that include a new alignment for a proposed outer connector and river crossing. This comes as regional transportation planners continue debating the project’s role in addressing long-term growth in the Fredericksburg area.

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NTSB: Bus Did Not Slow Before Deadly I-95 Crash in Stafford; Local First Responders Praised

By Potomac Local News
Photo: Virginia State Police

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the deadly May 29, 2026, charter bus crash on southbound Interstate 95 in Stafford County, revealing that the bus “did not slow” as it approached a traffic queue formed by a work zone.

According to the report, the bus, traveling at a high rate of speed, struck the rear of a Chevrolet Suburban and an Acura MDX at the end of the backup before continuing nearly half a mile (0.44 miles) through the queue, involving eight additional vehicles and resulting in a post-crash fire in one vehicle. The crash killed five people and injured dozens more.

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Stafford County Community Survey Shows Strong Safety Ratings but Concerns Over Mobility and Growth

By Potomac Local News

Stafford County residents rate safety, natural environment, and parks and recreation as the highest quality-of-life areas, according to the 2026 National Community Survey (NCS) results presented at the June 16 Board of Supervisors meeting.

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Stafford Supervisors Defer Amazon Data Center Proffer Amendment Amid Road Damage, Generator Emissions, and Water Sharing Concerns

By Potomac Local News

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors, on June 16, 2026, unanimously deferred action on a proffer amendment for the Potomac Church Tech Center, an Amazon data center project.

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Rescued Eagle Returns to Stafford Skies

By Potomac Local News

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reported that, alongside the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center and Stafford County residents, officials helped release an eagle rescued by the county’s Animal Control unit around Memorial Day. The bird received excellent care at the wildlife center before being returned to the wild.

The successful release highlights ongoing local wildlife rehabilitation efforts in Stafford County, allowing the majestic raptor to once again soar through Northern Virginia skies.

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Stafford Planning Commission Pushes for Underground Transmission Lines in Key Segments of Dominion Project

By Potomac Local News

Stafford County Planning Commission unanimously approved amendments to the county’s comprehensive plan on June 10, 2026, strengthening preferences for underground placement of high-voltage electric transmission lines, including specific guidance for Dominion Energy’s proposed North Anna to Brister’s (Kraken Loop) project.

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Stafford County to Hold Public Meetings on Comprehensive Plan Update Amid Data Center Proposals

By Potomac Local News

The sessions come as the county continues to review multiple data center applications, a hot-button issue for many residents concerned about infrastructure strain, noise, visual impacts, traffic on roads like U.S. 1 (Richmond Highway) and Kings Highway, and the county’s rural-suburban character.

Active or recently active proposals include the Eskimo Hill Technology Center (south of Eskimo Hill Road, east of Potomac Creek Drive in the Falmouth Election District), proposing roughly 680,000 square feet of data center space on about 142 acres.

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Stafford School Board Greenlights Major School Construction Projects Amid Budget Caution

By Potomac Local News

The Stafford County School Board unanimously approved key construction contracts and a prioritized list of year-end expenditures during its final business meeting of the 2025-26 school year. The actions balance urgent infrastructure needs with fiscal caution amid revenue uncertainty.

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Stafford Schools Seek Budget Input

By Potomac Local News

“The Citizen Budget Advisory Committee is seeking community feedback to help inform future budget priorities and ensure our investments align with the school division’s Strategic Plan,” Stafford Schools announced. “By taking a few minutes to complete this survey, you’ll help provide valuable insight into the programs, services, and priorities that matter most to our students, staff, families, and community.”

The feedback will guide discussions and recommendations for future budgets, including planning for FY28 and beyond. Take the survey today.

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