The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced Michelle Caldwell Thompson, owner and President of CTI Real Estate, as the 2025 Chair of the Board. The Chamber also welcomes its new board members for 2025, including George Barnick of Fredericksburg Technology, Latasha Brooks of A&B Creative Events, Chip Boyles of the George Washington Regional Commission, Barbara Gustavson of Discover Next Step, and Werner Jansen of Bloomia. Additionally, Jennifer McGovern of Parrish Snead Franklin Simpson, PLC, has been named the Chamber’s legal counsel for the upcoming year.
The board officers for 2025 include Michelle Caldwell Thompson as Chair, Ginni Matern of Matern Staffing as Vice Chair, Kevin Dillard of LifeCare Medical Transports as Immediate Past Chair, Shawn Sloan of The Media Partners as Treasurer, and Susan Garnett Spears continuing as President and CEO.
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Press Release:
Stafford County is preparing to recognize individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to its parks system and the character development of its youth. The annual Florence D. Helms Award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond in volunteer activities in memory of one of Stafford’s most inspiring parks volunteers, Florence Helms.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our many parks and recreational offerings,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Meg Bohmke, Falmouth District. “The Florence Helms Award recognizes those who share her dedication and loyalty to the youth of Stafford.”
Helms, a registered nurse, passed away unexpectedly in 1975 of cancer but left her mark on the youth of Stafford County. As an active member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, she was instrumental in establishing a volunteer program of medical examinations by doctors for sports programs in the area. Helms was also active in the early years of growth and development of the Stafford County Department of Parks and Recreation. This award has been given to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in recreation, education, guidance, health, or other fields in which the service contributed to the character development of the youth of Stafford County.
In keeping with the spirit of the Florence Helms Award, two annual awards may be given:
- An award in recognition of an individual for lifetime volunteer dedication and contribution toward the development of youth of Stafford County
- An award in recognition of a group/organization that has provided support and made outstanding lifetime volunteer contributions toward the development of youth of Stafford County
The criteria for selecting the winner include: years of volunteer service (20 years minimum), degree of dedication, fruits of accomplishments, and degree of interest and concern for the youth with whom the candidate/organization has been associated.
To be eligible for consideration, completed nomination forms must be returned to the Stafford County Department of Parks and Recreation office no later than January 31, 2025. Please visit www.staffordparks.com or call 540-658-5181 to obtain a nomination packet. Nominations may be submitted digitally at www.staffordcountyva.gov/florencehelmsaward.
Stafford County Public Schools is moving forward with the planned rebuild of Drew Middle School, incorporating extensive community feedback into the design process. At a school board work session on December 10, 2024, representatives from Spaces Design Studio of Fredericksburg and Los Angeles-based Samaha Associates presented the results of the community engagement efforts, which began in October.
The input gathered through surveys, teacher meetings, and a public community forum has helped shape the vision for the new school.
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Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Daniel W. Smith has announced plans to host a series of meet-and-greet sessions across the county, allowing families to connect with him and share their educational perspectives. Smith, appointed last month, shared the news in a video posted to YouTube.
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Officers responded to the scene at 1:39 a.m. and found an 18-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his lower body lying near a vehicle in the parking lot. The victim was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators determined the incident likely began during an altercation inside a nearby home, where police found a shell casing and marijuana, according to a press release. The victim has not provided information to detectives, and police do not believe the shooting was random, police said.
Detectives have obtained arrest warrants for Andrews, who is charged with aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is described as a Black male, 6 feet tall, weighing 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. A photo from July 2024 has been provided.
Anyone with information about Andrews’ location is urged to contact the Prince William County Police Department.
Stafford Crime Report: Juvenile Fight, Drunk Driver Arrest, and Unusual Thefts
On December 12 at 4:12 p.m., Deputy V.L. Powell responded to a fight report on Plantation Drive. A group of juveniles had been engaged in a fight. By the time Deputy Powell arrived, the altercation was over, and the juveniles were leaving the area. She was able to identify the individuals involved, and it was determined that both parties had agreed to a mutual “three-round fight.”
Later that evening, at 8:51 p.m., Sergeant J.D. Hurt responded to a complaint about a drunk driver near Richmond Highway and Landmark Drive. A caller reported a Chevrolet driving erratically and nearly hitting several vehicles. Sergeant Hurt located the vehicle and observed its poor driving behavior, initiating a traffic stop with assistance from Deputy R.T. Philippsen. The driver exhibited extreme signs of intoxication and admitted to drinking “one glass” of wine before driving. She was charged with driving under the influence, driving without a license, and refusal to submit to testing. She is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $5,000 secured bond.
Earlier that day, at 8:54 a.m., Deputy A.M. Pitts responded to a larceny at the Wawa on 15 Eustace Road. Staff reported that a “middle school-aged” boy collected snacks but left the store without paying for them.
In another larceny case at Walmart on 11 Village Parkway, Deputy N.D. Fonseca was called after a female suspect stole an inflatable king-size mattress. The suspect was last seen leaving in a white Nissan Rogue.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to report suspicious drone activity after reports of unidentified drones flying over parts of Stafford County, King George County, and Spotsylvania County. The nighttime sightings, reported on December 11, 2024, were made to Stafford’s emergency dispatch center.
Stafford County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ryan Wilbur stated that federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have been informed and are working with local authorities to investigate the incidents. However, descriptions of the drones or their operators have not been provided.
Neighboring jurisdictions have reported little or no drone-related activity. Major Elizabeth Scott of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office told Potomac Local News that their 911 dispatch center had not received any reports of suspicious drones. Similarly, a report of a drone sighting near the Lake Anna Nuclear Power Plant in Louisa County, made on December 12, was determined to be unfounded. A deputy dispatched to investigate found nothing in the sky.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about suspicious drone activity to contact the FBI 1-800-225-5324 or online. Residents can also report incidents to the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Support Center by calling (844) 359-6982 or emailing uashelp@faa.gov.
A family of handmade snowmen, a tree luminary, and hand-sculpted ornaments: Corgi Clay Art Center’s classes this month are focusing on the holidays. Corgi Clay has classes available for a wide range of ages and abilities, from teens learning to spin clay for the first time to advanced sculptors learning detailed techniques. Owner Deb Balestreri said the center is “Stafford County’s first vibrant, creative community that offers ceramics and other art classes, firing services, artist residencies, teaching and exhibition opportunities, and memberships for potters.”
Balestreri, a University of Mary Washington alum, opened Corgi Clay in 2020 after serving as the Director of Visual Arts Education at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. The center is hosting a holiday marketplace through January, featuring unique artwork, apparel, pottery, and more.
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Stafford offices, departments, facilities and the Circuit Court will be closed for the Christmas holiday from Monday, December 23, through Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Offices and the Circuit Court will be closed for New Year’s Day on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
