The week’s top stories
-The Stafford County School Board approved the hiring of Daniel W. Smith, previously chief of staff for the Loudoun County schools, as new schools superintendent. Stafford is the eighth-largest public school district in Virginia, with more than 32,000 students and 4,300 employees, Kathy Knotts reports.
-Aaron Carter and Lorenzo Brooks were each sentenced to 40 years, with 15 suspended, for second-degree murder in the 2023 slaying of Jasiah Smith, along with three years for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
-Could a new bridge across the Rappahannock River improve traffic? Transportation consultants think so, and they talked over the proposal with local residents Wednesday, Jonathan Hunley reports.
-The Ignite reading program is on fire in Spotsylvania County schools. Nearly 300 students in grades 1-8 work with individualized tutors at Salem Elementary School and at four county middle schools, Taft Coghill Jr., reports.
-The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus hosted its first-ever Fredericksburg town hall last week, and part of the talk was about three constitutional amendments. Del. Joshua Cole (D-Fredericksburg) is the group’s vice president. Freelancer Jamar Billingsley was at the meeting at Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site).
What they’re saying
-“If we’re going to make our school board better, make our board governance better, we have to start following policies,” -Spotsylvania School Board Chair Lorita Daniels on her reasoning for not allowing member Lisa Phelps to participate in a recent work session remotely.
Go figures (numbers in the news)
Three– The number of U.S. states, including Virginia, that permanently disenfranchise felons, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
In other business
Italian Station is no more, but entrepreneur Anita Crossfield plans to open a new business in its former space at the downtown Courtyard Marriott, Bill Freehling reports.
Pressing on (a look at the week ahead)
-Del. Paul Milde (R-Stafford) has introduced legislation to prevent youth access to tobacco and hemp products. The lawmaker said it would close a loophole created last year by another House bill.
