🌱 Public Hearing On Comprehensive Plan + More Children With Firearms

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Partly sunny and hot. High: 91 Low: 64.
• Wednesday: Sunny and hot. High: 95 Low: 71.

Here are the top three stories in Fredericksburg today:

1. Spotsylvania County's Board of Supervisors is preparing for a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan in response to numerous data center rezoning applications. The amendments aim to guide land use for the rapidly growing technology industry, particularly data centers. The county staff report outlines various changes, including designating data centers as a target industry, establishing land use potential within and outside the primary development boundary, and implementing policies related to access to public utilities and renewable energy usage. (Subscription: Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)
2. According to a report from the Fredericksburg Police Department, more children in the City of Fredericksburg are gaining access to firearms. The police department has increased its efforts to address this issue following two firearms-related homicides within three months. The authorities have urged gun owners to store their firearms securely and asked parents and caregivers to stay vigilant about their children's activities and report any illegal possession of firearms or drugs. (Fredericksburg Patch)
3. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office is seeking help from the public to locate a 44-year-old man named Chad Michael Moore. He was last seen leaving his residence in Fredericksburg on Jul. 5. Moore may be driving a white 2014 Mazda 3 with Virginia license plate VTT5152. Anyone with information about Moore's whereabouts is urged to contact the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office at 540-582-7115, referencing case number 23-0705019. (Augusta Free Press)

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Today and tomorrow in Fredericksburg:

Tuesday, July 11

• Karaoke At Crying Tiger (7:00 PM)

Wednesday, July 12

• Open Mic At Katora Coffee (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tree Fredericksburg is hosting a fall native tree and shrub sale with three and one-gallon options available for $12 and $6.50. The sale is open to Virginia residents and features a wide variety of native trees and shrubs. Additionally, there will be a free "Plant & Play Day" event on Sep. 23 featuring lectures, workshops, sales of native perennials and grasses, and outdoor play events for children. (Fredericksburg Today)
• Solarize Fredericksburg, part of the Solarize Virginia program, has launched in the Fredericksburg region, offering homeowners an easier and more affordable way to switch to solar power. Homeowners can take advantage of the increased federal investment tax credit (ITC) of 30 percent in 2023. Interested individuals can sign up for a free solar satellite assessment and access discounted prices until Aug. 31. (Fredericksburg Today)
• The Fredericksburg police are seeking assistance in identifying individuals involved in two separate shoplifting incidents at Latitudes Fair Trade Store on Caroline Street. If you recognize them, you can contact the police at 540-373-3122 and reference the provided report numbers. Anonymous tips can be submitted via text or by using the FPD Tip app available for Android and iPhones. (Fredericksburg Police Department via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.