Fredericksburg is taking another step forward to become a more walkable community with the recent start of construction off LaFayette Boulevard, which is part of the city’s Twin Lake Drive and Kensington Pedestrian Connector project.

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(FXBG Advance) – The process Fredericksburg City Council is following to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat could conflict with state code—especially with a provision added last year that states that governing bodies must publicly announce the names of those being considered to fill a vacant seat at least seven days before the appointment is made.

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As federal employees return to the office more significantly, the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) has observed a substantial increase in commuting interest. Potomac Local News spoke with Kerry McKenney of GWRC and reviewed recent reports highlighting the demand for ridesharing services in the region.

Surge in Commuting Demand

According to GWRC’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program, GWRideConnect, inquiries about ridesharing options have increased substantially. Commuters from Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford are turning to ride-sharing to ease their daily travel.

“We’ve been steadily seeing an increase of people going back to the office, and then it just jumped, jumped a lot,” McKenney said. “A lot of federal workers down here are trying to find a van, trying to find the train. It seems like a lot of people who know where the train and buses are haven’t been calling as much as people looking for vans to areas that maybe the transportation doesn’t go directly to.”

The Role of Vanpools and OmniRide

GWRC functions as the commuter assistance program for the region, helping match riders to appropriate vanpools and other transit options. Vanpools, which are considered a form of transit in Virginia, operate as private-public partnerships with small business owners managing fleets of commuter vans.

“We are the commuter assistance program for the region, and our biggest service is the vanpool matching system. Vanpools are a form of transit in Virginia, but we do a private-public partnership, so the vanpool operators are private companies. They essentially own fleets of vans, maintain them, and rent them out to commuters,” McKenney explained.

OmniRide’s expanded services in Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties have also played a significant role in accommodating the commuter surge. Some OmniRide routes have become so successful that they are reportedly operating at a profit—a rarity in public transportation. “Some of those routes are doing really, really great, and they’re even making a profit,” McKenney noted. “I don’t know how much, but that’s what I’ve heard. Generally, public transportation is a service, not a for-profit thing.”

The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure Expansions

McKenney acknowledged that new transportation developments have influenced commuting patterns. The extension of express lanes on I-95 past Route 3 and the increased presence of commuter buses in the area have made transit options more accessible. “With the new express lanes and expanded bus service, commuters now have more flexibility in planning their routes,” she said. “A lot of interest is in places like the Mark Center in Alexandria, where direct transit options are limited. Vanpools are a great solution for those routes.”

Monitoring Commuter Trends

GWRC regularly tracks commuter lot usage and plans to conduct an additional lot count in early spring to assess changing patterns. “We do an annual commuter lot count, but we’re considering doing another one soon to measure the impact of recent return-to-office policies,” McKenney stated. “After everybody has been sent back and settled into their routines, we may do another count in early spring.”

For additional details on upcoming commuter assistance events and ridesharing options, visit gwrideconnect.org or call 540-373-7665.

Maryland Man Convicted of Supplying Drugs to Fredericksburg Trafficker
Sean Shaka Myles Sr., 50, of Baltimore, was convicted for conspiring to distribute cocaine and fentanyl to a Fredericksburg trafficker. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. (Full details)

Stafford Man Convicted for Assaulting Passenger During Flight
Everett Chad Nelson, 44, was found guilty of attacking a sleeping, deaf passenger on a flight to Dulles Airport, causing severe injuries. He faces up to 10 years in prison. (Full details)

Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry & Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
Eliseo Garcia Gordillo, 43, previously convicted of sexual battery in Prince William County, was sentenced to two years in prison for reentering the U.S. and failing to register as a sex offender. (Full details)

Dumfries Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fraud
Kingsley Apenteng, 40, admitted to falsifying documents to obtain a $149,740 PPP loan, which was later forgiven. He faces up to 20 years in prison. (Full details)

Metro Nova Creative is adding a creative twist to fundraising in downtown Fredericksburg: Business owner Dan Craddock announced that his team will surprise a different non-profit organization each quarter with unique designs on t-shirts, stickers, and merchandise. 

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Award-winning brand Always Flavored is relocating across the street from 610 to 619 Caroline St., with plans to open by March 31, 2025. The move allows for an expanded selection of hot sauces, seasonings, and gourmet products, plus tastings and events. The announcement comes as the brand celebrates recent award wins:

• Ritabeata's Mild Sauce – 2nd place (International Flavor Awards)
• Peri Peri Sauce – 3rd place (2025 Scovie Awards)

A grand opening celebration is planned.

More in a press release:

Always Flavored, the award-winning, locally sourced brand known for its premium hot sauces, seasonings, and gourmet offerings, is excited to announce the relocation of its store from 610 Caroline St to a new, expanded location at 619 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. The move is expected to be completed no later than March 31, 2025, with hopes of opening sooner. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the company, allowing it to better serve its growing customer base while continuing to support the local community.

“We are excited to stay in downtown Fredericksburg and continue being part of this vibrant community,” said Rita Witte, founder and owner of Always Flavored. “This new space will allow us to connect with our customers in a more personal way, host exclusive tastings and events, and further our mission of providing high-quality, locally sourced flavors to the community.”

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Don’t miss out on the exciting “Seussical Jr.” performance at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

This limited-run show features the classic Dr. Seuss story of Horton the Elephant and his journey to protect the Whos and an egg left in his care. The show runs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from February 4 to March 1, 2025, with an additional Saturday show on March 1. Tickets are just $20 per person, and children under three are free.

The Children’s Theatre returns with an amazing performance for all ages! You can even bring your own lunch to enjoy before the show on Tuesday and Thursday performances. Group tickets are available for Tuesday and Thursday shows by calling 540-479-1356, while Saturday matinees can be purchased online or by calling 540-370-4300.

Do you have a local event to share? It’s FREE to submit your event to our site! Just follow this link: https://form.jotform.com/221630757468058. Simply fill out the form, and your event could be featured in our upcoming listings.

Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) will soon embark on a new initiative to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) student opportunities, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Silver Companies. Founded in Fredericksburg and now headquartered in Florida, the regional real estate company has pledged the investment to help build a new CTE Center, set to be named after Larry D. Silver, the company's founder and a graduate of James Monroe High School.

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A journey from DC’s Capitol Hill to the Shenandoah mountains led Emily Woodhull to Fredericksburg’s music scene. The 23-year-old singer and songwriter just released her first single, “Virginia, I’m Home.”

Woodhull grew up in Washington, D.C., and learned to play piano, guitar, ukulele, and drums by the time she was sixteen. Woodhull became the opening act for her father’s band, “The NativeMakers,” as they toured DC.

A visit to James Madison University (JMU) in the Shenandoah Valley #musicalley helped her fall in love with Virginia. After attending JMU, Woodhull took a gap year and moved to Fredericksburg in 2021, planning to enroll in Germanna Community College. A fan of true crime, Woodhull was interested in the criminal justice program.

She’s fallen in love with the area, saying, “I love Fredericksburg with all my heart. It has had such an important role in my career, and I’m so blessed to call it my home.”

Woodhull’s connection to Fredericksburg deepened as she became involved with the local music scene. “There are so many talented bands in our city, ranging from soft rock to Americana to country to metal to bluegrass,” she explained. Performances with local artists like Jerry Wade, Rob Ralston, and JD Roberts helped build Woodhull’s musical career. 

Woodhull credited Roberts with helping her musical career develop. She said, “By inviting me to sing with him during his shows, he helped me get my name out there and booked me at venues when I didn’t have any shows. He’s been a big help with helping me learn the ropes of the industry and teaching me tricks, and he has given me great advice. I’m grateful to know him and to call him my friend.”

Woodhull’s debut single, “Virginia I’m Home,” was born from her experiences in Virginia. “The song starts, ‘I was 18 when I came rolling in. You opened up your doors and took me in just like a friend,’ which is about my start at JMU and when I first lived in Virginia,” she said. The song serves as her “love letter to the state.”

Woodhull described her musical style as rooted in Americana, though she brings elements from her past interest in hard rock. “I used to be a drummer and into hard rock, so I’d love to make country music with heavy drums and bass,” she said. A small sampling of her influences includes Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Turnpike Troubadours, and Ella Langley.

Although she has been surrounded by music for much of her life, Woodhull didn’t realize until she was 20 that she could make a career out of it. “I got a direct message on Instagram from a scout for a development firm in Nashville and it all got started from there,” she recalled.

The process of recording “Virginia I’m Home” took her to Nashville, where she worked with music producer Joshua David Cockerham in his home studio. “We had a Zoom call before meeting about what I wanted the song to sound like,” she shared. “I got to choose which instruments got to be in and I felt listened to.” Woodhull recorded two songs in the studio in 2023.

In August 2023, Woodhull quit her job in fine dining to pursue music full-time. “I was scared of burning myself out and falling out of love with music,” she admitted. “But from that day on, I have been doing everything I can for my career.”

Woodhull said her family has been an unwavering support system. “My parents have always had my back and I am so blessed to have them,” she said. “The biggest thing for them is that their children are happy, healthy, and loved.” Woodhull, who has a twin brother, has four brothers and one sister.

Looking ahead, Woodhull aims to continue growing her audience, with her song now played on several radio stations across the country. Stations in Michigan, Texas and Wisconsin have played ‘Virginia, I’m home.’

“I’d love to have my song played on a station in Virginia, especially in Fredericksburg like 93.3 WFLS or Thunder 104.5,” Woodhull said.

Woodhull will play at Fredericksburg’s Sky Bar on February 8. Her full show schedule is available online.