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Updated July 31 -- The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts held a press conference on Monday, July 29, 2024, to announce its transition from a for-profit business to a non-profit entity. Theater Director Patrick A'Hearn made the announcement, outlined the theater’s new direction, and announced upcoming changes.
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Stafford County's Board of Supervisors has amended its by-laws to create a new meeting schedule. The board will have three meeting days, two of which are planned business days. The third meeting day will be a dedicated Work Session meeting as needed. Meetings will also begin at 5 p.m.
The proposed changes were first reviewed by the board on June 4 and again on July 2. All board members were able to participate in the discussion and review the changes. According to Stafford's news release, "this transparent process, which also allowed public input on the change, was designed to ensure your voice was heard and that you were fully informed about the decision-making process."
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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.Â
More information can be found on the county’s website for elections.Â
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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
