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Hey Fredericksburg, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: U.S. 1 bridge replacement, a $529.3 million school budget, and data center and pharma boom with backlash + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Fredericksburg protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Commuters face upcoming detours: On February 16, a $13.8 million project to replace a U.S. 1 bridge in Stafford County was set to start, a major infrastructure update for drivers in the Fredericksburg area — learn when work begins.

State funding increase detailed: Stafford County School Board approved a $529.3 million education budget to support student growth, staff pay, and three new schools. The Board of Supervisors will review it for possible changes — see what’s in the budget.

Industry boom, growing backlash: Massive 2025 deals spotlighted data centers in Louisa, Caroline, and Stafford near Fredericksburg, plus billion-dollar pharma plans, while the 2026 state budget is predicted to be worst in a decade — explore projects and state outlook.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate 75 years of Fredericksburg art
• Run 5K/10K for Caledon trails
• Support veterans at Tree of Life 5k

🫶 We got your back

NY-deli cravings, solved: Whether you’re on a quick lunch run or plotting an indulgent sandwich mission, Galvin’s Delicatessen stacks house-smoked pastrami, braised brisket, and fresh-made bagels like they mean it… plus there’s a cozy kid corner for wrangling littles. Messy, glorious, unmistakably NY-deli comfort.

Riverside breather, anyone? When the week gets loud, Old Mill Park offers green space, river views, and a quick reset. Walk the Heritage Trail, let the kids roam the playground, or launch a kayak and call it cross-training for your sanity… simple, splashy relief.

Books, toys, calm kids: At Jabberwocky Children’s Books & Toys, shelves of games, plushies, and page turners make after-school wind downs and weekend bribery feel easy. Let the kids choose a new obsession while you actually browse in peace, maybe even finish a thought.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🚗 Drive-Thru Distribution @ St. Stephen’s Baptist Church (King George) | Tuesday (3/10) at 2:00 PM – Roll through St. Stephen’s for drive-thru groceries, pop the trunk, and let the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank load you up. Stay in your car, answer a couple first-time questions, and remember it’s once a week. Storms, holidays, and gridlock happen, so check FredFoodVA.

🎤 Desi Arnaz @ Dodd Auditorium, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, United States, Virginia 22401 | Tuesday (3/10) at 7:30 PM – If you still quote I Love Lucy like it’s a personality trait, park it at Dodd for author Todd S. Purdum on Desi Arnaz, the conga-playing TV pioneer. It’s free, local, and civilized, with a Q&A, book sale, and signings.

👩 Monumental Motherhood @ Fredericksburg Area Museum | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Think you know Mary Washington? Historian Kate Haulman shows how the First Mother’s image was made, debated, and remade, reflecting fights over women’s roles, patriotism, and family. It’s free, and yes, even Founding Mothers had PR problems, with books at the Mary Washington House shop.

🎓 Gertrude Bell @ Dodd Auditorium, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, United States, Virginia 22401 | Thursday (3/12) at 7:30 PM – Trade Netflix for a night with Gertrude Bell, as biographer Janet Wallach unpacks the queen of the desert at UMW’s Dodd Auditorium. It’s free, in-person, with a book sale, signings, and a Q&A, so bring curiosity, not camping chairs.

🐾 3/14 Adoption Event @ PetSmart Stafford Marketplace | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Need a low-maintenance roommate who loves belly rubs? Head to PetSmart Stafford Market Place to meet adoptable cats and dogs, score a few nose boops, and maybe leave with a new walking buddy, couch cuddler, and reason to finally upgrade that lint roller.

⛰ Sunday Funday Volunteer Hike @ Old Dominion Humane Society | Sunday (3/15) at 8:45 AM – Trade brunch for a cardio-with-a-cause hike with ODHS, where you’ll meet at the adoption center, get matched with a shelter pup, and caravan to local trails. Bring your wheels, expect 3 to 5 miles and dirt, no personal dogs, and plan on a flexible return.

👥 3rd Annual Community Connections Expo @ Fredericksburg Convention Center | Tuesday (3/17) at 9:00 AM – To-do list needs a win? Hit the 3rd Annual Community Connections Expo, an all-day, one-stop shop for Fredericksburg folks to plug into free community resources, vital health services, and local support. Think less red tape, more real help, and neighbors who actually say hi.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Fredericksburg report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 6%

Sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind 2 to 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 30%

A chance of rain showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 2 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Rain showers likely before 5am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Virginia but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

Sprawling 31.1-acre Stafford County spread spans four parcels with dual frontage on Route 17 and Truslow Road. Rolling pastures, about 18 acres of cleared, previously hayed fields, and a one-acre fishing pond set the scene for horses and livestock. Multiple barns with paddocks, a 30×25 metal building, and a 3-bed, 1.5-bath brick home deliver utility and long-term potential near Fredericksburg.

Take a peek inside →