Stafford
GOVERNMENT
CSX official: Human error caused Saturday’s train derailment in the city
The train derailment Saturday evening in Fredericksburg that caused a sound wall to topple four garages in the Cobblestone Square apartment complex could have been much worse. Fredericksburg Fire Chief Mike Jones said although there were no hazardous materials in any of the five railcars that hit the sound wall, “just past” the derailed cars were tankers containing molten sulfur, a highly flammable solid that comes in a “very heated temperature.”
City reaches for Summits with latest economic development hire
Fredericksburg has a new director of economic development and tourism. Josh Summits was hired to replace Bill Freehling, whose 10-year tenure ended June 25. Summits, a Pennsylvania native, was the business development manager in Stafford County, where he worked since 2019. He’s spent 15 years working in urban development, community revitalization, and economic development. He begins working in Fredericksburg in mid-August.
AEDs added to parks in Fredericksburg, Virginia
In an emergency, someone should begin hands-only CPR first, followed by a call to 911 to gain access to the AED. The 911 operator will provide a special code to open the cabinet, with the AED ready for use. At about $2,000 per unit, they're not cheap. That's where community...
Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Staff Promotions
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber recently promoted Wendy Zelazny to Senior Vice President, Membership & Growth Strategies. Zelazny joined the Chamber over six years ago. The organization has experienced significant growth in its top tier membership levels because of her strong business engagement skills. Zelazny has an expansive background that includes film production. She modernized the Chamber’s ribbon-cutting services to provide an enhanced experience and marketing for business celebrations.
Fredericksburg: Spanberger pushes CSX railroad for answers on train derailment, property damage
On the evening of July 20, 2024, five cars from a CSX freight train derailed, flattened one building and caused significant damage to a residential complex and personal property in the city of Fredericksburg. During a briefing held by CSX in Fredericksburg yesterday, the railroad company shared that the derailment...
Charles County to build massive recreation complex at mall
A state-of-the-art recreational facility is planned in an abandoned store at the mall in Waldorf that was purchased this week by Charles County government. On July 24, the Charles County commissioners were joined by the county’s recreation, parks and tourism as well as economic development department staff and others to celebrate the county’s purchase of the former Sears building at the St. Charles Towne Center. “This is a big deal,”...
Fredericksburg’s French connection: Students exchange culture and discovery
Fredericksburg has been in a long-distance relationship with the port city of Frejus, France, for over 44 years. What began as a way to bridge the gap between nations as a post-war endeavor by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, known as the Sister Cities International Initiative, has led to a kinship and close relationship between the two cities.
Environmental groups in the region voice concerns about data centers
A meeting room at the downtown Fredericksburg branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library was filled to capacity Wednesday evening, as concerned citizens gathered to hear from local representatives from the Sierra Club and Friends of the Rappahannock about data centers. It was so filled that it exceeded the fire...
Boulevard Sewer Main Repairs Continue, Partial Intermittent Closure of Road Expected This Fall
(Fredericksburg, VA) July 23, 2024 – On the evening of December 31st, 2023, the City’s Department of Public Works was notified of a sanitary sewer manhole that was discharging behind the shopping center located on the north side of Cowan Boulevard across from the Belmont subdivision. The Department established an emergency pump-around across Cowan Boulevard and through the Belmont Apartment complex to facilitate the emergency repairs. There was a similar failure earlier in December that required a temporary bypass pass be put into operation. The emergency repairs were divided into two phases. The now completed Phase 1 repairs involved replacement or rehabilitation of 5 manholes and installation of approximately 625 feet of new sewer main in the lower portion. Work is now in Phase 2 which involves installation of 1,008 feet of new sewer main (a portion of which crosses under Cowan Boulevard), two new manholes, and rehabilitation of two existing manholes.
Infographic for Fredericksburg County: Prenatal Diets and Autism Risks
A new study has revealed that expectant mothers who stick to a healthy diet during pregnancy may reduce their child's risk of autism. These new findings, spanning two large cohorts in Norway and England, offer new insights into the potential impact of prenatal nutrition on child development. This makes it highly relevant for all expectant parents across America, including right here in Fredericksburg County, Virginia.
Charles commissioners update ride-share policy in split vote
After a split vote in June, the Charles County commissioners were once again divided on how to allow the expensing of third-party transportation services like Uber. At their July 23 meeting, the commissioners were provided with updated language to the policy, which now allows for “usage of an external transportation service or company for business travel that is to a location 30 miles or more from the Government Building.” The...
Charter presented to Charles commissioners, charter board dissolved
After a little over a year since the swearing-in of the Charles County Charter Board, a charter document was presented to the county commissioners at a July 23 session. Over the year, the chairman of the charter board, Greg Waring, reported that he had attended approximately 60 meetings and outreach events to help form the charter. Three of five commissioners voted last year to task a charter board to look...
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