The week’s top stories
-Spotsylvania County’s schools ranked fifth in the state in a recent survey, but it’s up to you to decide whether that’s a good thing. The subject was banning books, and Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission said only Hanover, Rockingham, Goochland and Madison counties took that step more often over the past five years, Taft Coghill Jr. writes.
-The Ward 3 seat is the only contested school board position up for election in Fredericksburg this year, and Joey LoMonaco reports on the two rivals who will be on the ballot come November.
-A 32-year-old woman was charged with second-degree murder after a recent shooting in southern Stafford, the county’s Sheriff’s Office said last week. An investigation deemed the incident domestic-related.
-A federal program that benefited 91 Spotsylvania County students with disabilities was abruptly stopped in February, but two members of the Fredericksburg area’s congressional delegation are sponsoring legislation to bring the program back. Coghill has the details.
-What’s for dinner? A smorgasbord of delectable delights, if you head to Fredericksburg through Aug. 3. It’s officially Restaurant Week in the city, and provides some highlights of the event in Free Time, our weekly arts and entertainment newsletter.
Go figures (numbers in the news)
100 — Number of feet data center buildings must be separated from the property lines of abutting homes, according to Stafford zoning regulations. The county’s Planning Commission recommended last week that that required distance be increased fivefold as part of a series of changes to the rules for the controversial technology businesses.
What they’re saying
“Don’t panic. Things are being worked out.” – Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor. This was her advice earlier this month to Virginians concerned about President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill cutting Medicaid coverage. She said the state is ready to help any resident who can’t access health care.
Pressing on (a look at the week ahead)
-Biz Beat Roundup returns from a summer vacation this week. Be sure to look Wednesday for all the business news Bill Freehling can dig up.
Sunday (not so) long read
Fredericksburg City Schools recently celebrated the 30th year of its Superintendent’s Summer Scholars Program, which was started after former Superintendent Richard Garnett read an article about learning loss.
-Joey LoMonaco
