The week’s top stories
-A draft of the 2025 Community Health Assessment was released Thursday, but what a related survey says would improve health most in the Fredericksburg area might surprise you. The 88-page report was prepared by the Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare. Joey LoMonaco has all the details.
-Don’t like data centers? They could be a better fit for the community than more homes, a data center lawyer told southern Stafford County residents last week.
-Two former National Park Service rangers from the Fredericksburg area who were fired as part of Department of Government Efficiency cuts spoke up for congressional legislation in Washington last week. They support a bill that would protect the job seniority of laid off federal employees like themselves.
-Fredericksburg’s real-estate tax rate would increase by 3 cents in the next fiscal year, according to City Manager Tim Baroody’s recommended $136.75 million budget, LoMonaco reports. The move would bring the rate to 80 cents per $100 of assessed value.
-He played professional football in the Arena League, coached in Australia and even was a reggae artist, opening for Grammy-nominated performers such as Boyz II Men. Now, he’s going to be Chancellor High School’s varsity pigskin coach, writes.
Go figures (Numbers that made the news)
-$3 million+, asking price of three homes for sale in downtown Fredericksburg, Biz Beat’s reports. If any of the houses sells for that much, it will be a record price for city residential real estate.
What they’re saying
“I’m sorry, we are a mess tonight — a whole mess.” –Spotsylvania County School Board Chair Megan Jackson, describing a meeting Monday night in which there was initially no voting quorum present.
Pressing on (a look at news in the week ahead)
Free Press managing editor Joey LoMonaco sat down for a coffee shop talk podcast with Fredericksburg School Board Chairman Matt Rowe, who plans to run for the Ward 1 seat on City Council.
Special Sunday read
The James Monroe High School girls basketball team took the floor at VCU’s Siegel Center on Saturday, facing Lord Botetourt for the Class 3 state championship. The Yellow Jackets had never won a state title, and their pursuit will continue following a 49-44 loss in the final. The Free Press has a story, photo gallery and more from the agonizing defeat.
