As Nov. 5 (Election Day) approaches, Prince William County’s Office of Elections is looking for residents to serve as election officers.

Applications are due this Friday (Aug. 2) to be eligible to serve on Election Day. Officers are responsible for setting up the precinct, checking in voters, distributing ballots, accurately report results and close the polling place at 7 p.m.

“Elections wouldn’t happen without people to run them,” Prince William County Office of Elections Spokeswoman Thalia Simpson said. “Our office only has 16 full-time employees, so with 103 polling places in Prince William County, our election officers are literally what allows this to work.”

Officers receive $200 for working the day with Spanish speakers receiving a $25 bonus. Officers also receive a free “American Hero” t-shirt and a commemorative pin.

According to the county’s website, these are the qualifications for an officer:

All election officers must:

• Be a registered voter of the Commonwealth of Virginia;
• Not hold an elected position, or be the employee of an elected official;
• Be available to attend all mandatory training; and
• Be available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day without leaving the polling place. 

More information can be found on the county’s website for elections. 

Opened in the Coles District, the $54.9 million project was fully funded by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. The project was first considered in 2019 and under contract in 2020, according to Department of Transportation Director Rick Canizales.

Coles District County Supervisor Yesli Vega attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 25 and was excited about the new bridge.

“I always refer to my district as the heart of Prince William County. You cannot connect the east and the west without the Coles District. This is a project that has been long overdue and in the making,” Vega said.

Prince William County Trails and Blueways Council Coles District Representative Joe Marshall said he was excited about the new bridge because it now presents a safer option for pedestrians.

“Biking over this pedestrian bridge is so much better than dodging traffic coming off of a high-speed roadway,” Marshall said. “This is an awesome bridge and hopefully the first of several needed throughout the county to realize the mobility trail network in the county’s comprehensive plan. I believe my neighbors and I, and many in the county, will feel the benefits of this intersection for years to come.”

After almost forty years, Library Director Martha Hutzel will retire from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) on Sept. 30. Hutzel was appointed director in 2016 after several prior positions at different library branches, including branch manager and head of circulation.

Hutzel said she was inspired to become a librarian “by [her] mother, who is still living at 102, and by [her] father, both of whom loved books and reading and set that example for their 13 children.” After completing chores on the dairy farm she grew up on, she and her siblings were allowed to read whatever they wanted. In the 1980s, Hutzel moved to Fredericksburg and immediately got a library card and part-time job at the Fredericksburg location. She said the staff “welcomed me with open arms and I fell into them.”

After working part-time for several years, Hutzel decided to pursue her Master’s in Library Science and work full-time. “That was when I really stepped into my love of CRRL and the career of librarianship. I had wonderful mentors at CRRL a few decades back and they had a very positive influence on my career.”

Hutzel said serving as President of the Virginia Library Association, a professional library association with 9,000 members, opening IdeaSpace on Princess Anne St., and opening a library branch inside the Spotsylvania Towne Centre have been highlights in her career.

The advent of technology over the decade changed how librarians work and serve customers, but Hutzel said they still offer “the face-to-face human interaction that so many customers come into the library to find.” The cataloging system, CRRL website, and publicly accessible catalog have all been online for decades, she added. The library has also added non-book offerings like e-books, e-audiobooks and e-magazines. Hutzel said the library also has circulated Wi-Fi hotspots and Chromebooks for free, “Tech on the Go: kits and craft kits.

Hutzel is looking forward to spending time with her seven grandchildren and traveling. The library’s Board of Trustees will conduct a nationwide search for Hutzel’s replacement.

Stafford’s Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning request for 133 acres from Residential to Industrial at their July 2 meeting.

Belmont Park, LLC requested to rezone 133 acres from R-1 (Residential) and A-1 (Agriculture) to M-1 (Light Industrial) and M-2 (Heavy Industrial). The proposed site layout includes light industrial warehouses in the northeast near the VDOT parking lot and a large, heavy industrial distribution warehouse with smaller warehouses in the southwest.

The property is in the George Washington District.

At the Board of Supervisors meeting, several residents of Sanford Drive said they had sold their lane for the project seven years ago. They supported the project and noted the developer had been working with the county for many years. Opposing speakers protested additional traffic, loss of natural space, and more warehousing instead of business or parks appealing to local residents.

Access will be from Powell Lane, with an extension for the M-2 zoned area and a gated emergency access off Paul Lane. No access is planned from Sanford Drive. Enhanced setbacks and vegetative buffers are proposed in response to concerns from Sanford Drive residents. The mostly undeveloped, wooded site features two perennial streams and wetlands. Surrounding areas include industrial, commercial, residential, and undeveloped land.

New proffers will include reducing building heights from 50 to 45 feet in some locations, increasing cash contribution for future improvements to Powell Lane to $75,000, and dedicating five usable acres to the County for public recreation use.

The Board of Supervisors voted to pass the ordinance 4-3. Supervisors Monica Gary, Crystal Vanuch, and Pamela Yeung voted against it. Detailed plans are available online.

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The Prince William County Animal Shelter has introduced a new van equipped with 10 adjustable kennels, enhancing the efficiency and comfort for animal control operations. This addition is a significant upgrade from the existing four-by-four vehicles that house fewer vehicles and lack modern amenities.

Debbie Haight, spokesperson for the county animal shelter, detailed the van’s layout and its capacity to adapt to various sizes of animals. “It has 10 containers, and these units can be modified to accommodate larger animals if necessary,” Haight explained. Unlike the current units that require animals to be brought back immediately due to inadequate facilities, the new van features a sophisticated HVAC system, allowing officers to manage multiple pickups without returning.

The van, operated by the shelter’s animal control officers, represents an upgrade over the older trucks. “The current trucks have a capability of just four units and are often congested with equipment,” Haight said. In contrast, the new van dedicates more space to animal containers, providing a less cramped environment.

Haight highlighted the types of calls the van would respond to, including scenarios with multiple animals. “This van is assigned to one of the supervisors, and it will be dispatched for calls involving multiple animals,” she noted, emphasizing its role in improving response times across the county’s more than 300 square miles.

The shelter picks up many animals, from common pets like cats and dogs to more exotic ones like peacocks and potbelly pigs. “We’ve even picked up strays like cows and have facilities for larger animals,” Haight shared.

Amid rising pet surrenders, Haight also addressed the shelter’s current capacity challenges, explaining that they are nearing full capacity and now require appointments for animal surrenders. “It’s a combination of factors, including economic pressures and lifestyle changes post-COVID,” she observed, indicating a broader trend affecting shelters throughout the region.

This van is the first of its kind, with plans to introduce a second similarly equipped van soon. Additionally, the shelter will continue to update its fleet with more trucks suited for diverse terrain and needs. The shelter, which moved to a new 28,000 square foot facility in November 2021, is also expanding its capacity to better accommodate large animals and improve its service offerings in the community.

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Falmouth Elementary School’s parents received an email on July 10 from Dr. Sallie Burch advising that she would resign as Principal effective July 31. Dr. Burch said after 12 years in Stafford County Public Schools, stating briefly that she would be leaving to pursue a new opportunity.

Burch served as Assistant Principal at Falmouth from 2012 to 2015 before becoming Principal in 2015. Burch thanked the community for their support through the years, saying, “The school will continue to thrive and achieve great things with the continued dedication of this wonderful community.” According to her LinkedIn profile, Burch also serves as a part-time Longwood University Supervisor for student teachers.

Mary Foreman will be the interim Principal for Falmouth. Stafford Schools Spokesperson Sandra Osborn said Foreman is a veteran Stafford Schools administrator with over 25 years of experience. Foreman served as the assistant principal at Falmouth ES for five years before becoming the principal of Stafford Elementary School for 19 years. Osborne said Foreman is currently at Falmouth ES, working with Burch and Assistant Principal Tia Gilliam-Wilson to ensure a smooth opening of the new school year.

Children in kindergarten through 5th grade attend Falmouth Elementary. The school boasts an enrollment of nearly 730 students.

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Fredericksburg Free Press: The largest private economic development project in Stafford County’s history is a step closer to becoming a reality. The county Planning Commission on Wednesday night recommended approval of a nearly 504-acre data center campus on the east side of U.S. 1 across from Sage Lane. The Board of Supervisors has the final say. Read More

The commercial space at 610 Caroline Street is starting to show life, beginning with a new neon “Bistro,” sign in the front window. In early May, the new tenant “Always Flavored,” will complete their move from the current location on Princess Anne Street, giving the Fredericksburg dining crowd another option but this time adding beer and wine.

“We’re super excited,” said Rita Witte, the owner who has been at Princess Ann for the past 18 months. She’ll keep the same menu to start, the same green motif for the interior, and the overall feeling will be the same. At Always Flavored, the goal is simple: to bring people together through delicious food.

Some on Caroline Street are looking forward to more businesses coming down to the lower end, and Always Flavored will be a welcome addition to the 600 block. Linda Garrett next door at Gemstone Creations is looking forward to having a new neighbor. “Just saw the sign the other day,” Garrett said. “It will be nice to have something different on this end,” she added.

Their menu has breakfast and lunch selections that differ from usual corner breakfast places. The menu describes selections like the “Denver Sandwich,” which features scrambled eggs, bell peppers, and Spicy Mayo in the mix, and the “Chimichurri Steak and Egg” with “mouthwatering prime rib”. Every sandwich is crafted using “Rita’s Way, featuring our renowned sauces.”

For lunch, there is  ‘Rita’s Reuben,” the “Thai Teriyaki Chicken,” or the “Furious Cuban,” with a “wrath of Rita Mustard.” She’s all over the place at Always Flavored.

Always Flavored’s sauces have gained recognition too. Instead of the Eagles hammering “Tequila Sunrise” out on stage, Always Flavored offers Brady’s Tequila Sunrise. Other sauces are the Wrath of Rita, Sweet Virginia Love BBQ Sauce, Honey Butt BBQ Rub, and Pissed Off Kristoff sauce. Ritabeata’s Sweet Virginia Love BBQ sauce won second place in the 2023 Scovie Awards out of the Southwest. 

The Scovie Awards evolved from the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show after 1996 when the contest was called The Fiery Foods Challenge. They were later renamed “The Scovie Awards” to honor the memory of Wilbur Scoville, the scientist who invented the Scoville Organoleptic Test in 1912 to determine the heat scale of chile peppers, the awards’ website says. Fiery Foods & Barbecue magazine sponsors the Albuquerque, New Mexico awards.

In addition to food and sauces, Always Flavored offers cooking classes for kids to “unleash your child’s inner chef.”. They offer a class for kids aged 4-16 where they learn to create sandwiches with AF sauces and seasonings.

Rita loves her Fredericksburg fan base in Fredericksburg and plans to have a grand opening celebration this spring before joining and then taking part in all the city’s restaurant activities like First Friday, Restaurant Week and more.

Mike Salmon is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.

On Friday, May 10, Dumfries will celebrate the 275th anniversary of the original charter for Dumfries. 

The festivities will begin May 10 with a sold-out black-tie dinner at the National Museum for the Marine Corps. The dinner will have keynote speeches by local dignitaries, historical presentations on Dumfries’ intriguing history as a port town, and a commemorative program. The keynote speaker has yet to be announced.  

A family-friendly festival on May 11 and 12 at Garrison Park, behind the town hall, will include free historical tours,  re-enactors, and music, food, and vendors.  The  festival is free to attend.

Dumfries has previously held annual celebrations of Charter Day. The town’s original charter date is May 11, 1749. Much of the town’s colonial history has been lost over the years. The town was once a major east coast seaport and the early center of Prince William County’s’ government, economy, and social activities.

This year’s theme, “Rediscover Dumfries: Our Past, Present, and Future,” aims to highlight Dumfries’s journey through a curated selection of individuals, landmarks, and stories representing the town’s spirit and resilience. According to the council, the gala and celebration activities will honor Dumfries’ rich history and will also assist in the ongoing economic revitalization efforts.

The town’s website shows the 2024 Budget includes a budget of $197,5000 for Special Events for the newly created Office of Civic Engagement. The event will be primarily funded through a combination of taxpayer funds and private sponsorship, which Mayor Derrick Wood believes with emphasize the town council’s commitment to responsible fiscal management and community partnerships. 

The town manager Tangela Innis, in her letter published in the 2024 budget, notes the Civic Engagement office “will begin to fulfill the need for public services throughout more community events, free vaccination clinics, a new Farmer’s Market…and partnerships with [Prince William Parks & Recreations] to provide for after school activities.” She notes the 275th anniversary celebration is a one-time funding plan.

The 2024 budget also reports Dumfries’ population has a median income of $71,784 with 14.1% of persons in poverty. In her letter, Innis stated the desire to “Create an inclusive and financially sustainable environment where residents of all ages and backgrounds have access to quality housing, essential services, employment, and recreational opportunities”.

The council notes they have taken several steps to ensure taxpayer dollars are utilized efficiently for the celebrations, including using existing resources to minimize rental costs; encouraging volunteers to boost community spirit while lowering labor costs; and using transparent competitive bidding for services.

Tickets to the May 10 gala are $100 As of April 25, the event website states they are sold out. 

Sarah Romero contributed to this article.

Kelly Sienkowski is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.