Lydia Pappas of Fredericksburg and Christian Royal of Stafford have begun bachelor’s degree programs at Drexel University this fall. Pappas will be majoring in International Area Studies, and Royal will be majoring in mechanical engineering.

Garrisonville Elementary School students and parents recently enjoyed playing reading games, listening to books on tape and even writing their own stories during the annual fall Reading Night.  The event involved interactive centers to teach students and parents different reading strategies.

Air Force Airman Brittany D. Wade has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

STAFFORD — The Stafford County 911 Center received a disturbing call from an unknown man Monday morning. The caller, who phoned at 7:05 a.m., stated that an explosive device was inside James Monroe High School and that it would detonate at 7:45 am.

As families come together to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Virginia Community Healthcare Association marks National Diabetes Awareness Month by encouraging all Virginians to talk to their families about diabetes.

FREDERICKSBURG — An economic impact study commissioned by the University of Mary Washington shows that the institution and its employees, students, visitors and retirees spent $74.3 million within the Fredericksburg region in 2007, adding a total of $115.2 million to the local economy, supporting 1,014 non-university jobs and generating $24.9 million in new income to local residents.

STAFFORD — The Stafford County Parks and Recreation Commission has rejected a developer’s plan to use open areas in a proposed subdivision off Mine Road behind Wal-mart.

The following was taken from calls to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office from Nov. 10-17:

The popular MTV television show “Total Request Live” came to a halt Sunday, stopping music-loving teenagers in their tracks.

STAFFORD — Saturday dawned cloudy and a little rainy, but the runners of the day’s Turkey Trot were not frightened off.

WOODBRIDGE — Police have charged a Woodbridge man with felony murder and arson in the death of his wife after a fatal house fire Monday.

STAFFORD — On Nov. 4, the citizens of the United States of America voted Barack Obama to be their next president. Obama will not just be the first Democratic president Virginia has voted for in 44 years.

All Stafford County Public Schools will be closed November 26, 27, and 28. This is a holiday for both the students and the teachers.

Since beginning service in 1992, VRE has relied on Amtrak to provide fleet maintenance services.

STAFFORD — Imagine you have epilepsy. You are plagued with seizures, maybe not all of the time, but enough that the condition has drastically changed your life.

Upcoming events happening in the community

STAFFORD — It’s that time of year again, when many people gather around their Christmas trees to celebrate the season. Unfortunately, there are others in the immediate area, who not only don’t have Christmas trees, but also do not have homes.

WHITE OAK — Lucy Lois Smith, a Stafford County resident, turned 100 on Nov. 10. She is hard of hearing and has lost her sight over the years, but is very alert and articulates her memories of the last century quite clearly.

STAFFORD — Carter Bank & Trust was robbed on Monday and the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the culprit.

WOODBRIDGE — The sight of her dog’s water bowl is so upsetting to Cynthia Liberta that she can’t even go down to her basement. On the evening of Nov. 6, Liberta was taking her Shih Tzu, Rex, to the Minnieville Animal Hospital in Woodbridge when he broke free from her grip on the leash and bolted across Minnieville Road.

STAFFORD — Responding to what those in the industry have deemed a blue crab commercial fishery collapse in September, the U.S. Department of Commerce on Tuesday approved making up to $10 million available to Virginia.

WOODBRIDGE — Hundreds braved Saturday’s inclement weather to show their appreciation for the nation’s service members and their families and to pay special tribute to Fort Belvoir during an Army Community Covenant Signing Ceremony at Northern Virginia Community College’s Woodbridge campus.

Cecelia Turnbough, a Dale City medic who died suddenly Sunday afternoon during a training exercise, will be laid to rest next week.

Man arrested for drinking in Wawa

NORTH STAFFORD — While inside the Eustace Road Wawa, Seth Young, 18, of Pinnacle Drive in Stafford, was seen drinking while in the beer and wine section of the store, reported Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Office Bill Kennedy on Monday.

Dismal economic conditions may depress Thanksgiving holiday travel this year, industry figures say. But the difficult times also are pushing travel prices lower.
How the mixed picture will play out is anyone’s guess.

On Katrise Perera’s first birthday, the United States put the first man on the moon. In her 40th year, the country elected its first African-American president.

STAFFORD — The Stafford County parents of a toddler who died from strangling in her car seat have avoided a prison sentence. Instead, they’ll receive suspended sentences.

WOODBRIDGE — A man charged in a rash of pre-election vandalisms that targeted Republican presidential candidate John McCain will not face hate crime charges.

A drug manufacturer has settled claims in four Fredericksburg wrongful-death cases for a total of more than $5.5 million.

The following was taken from calls to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office from Nov. 3-10: