🌱 Stolen Car Returned + OmniRide Opening New Commuter Routes Soon

Hello, friends. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Fredericksburg Patch newsletter — here to tell you everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A couple of morning showers. High: 72 Low: 45.
• Friday: Cooler with periods of rain. High: 49 Low: 46.

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Here are the top three stories in Fredericksburg today:

1. A stolen car was recovered by Stafford County deputies during a traffic stop after the owner left their keys in the car at a Marriott Courtyard. Rashad Morey was arrested and charged with grand larceny, petit larceny, and credit card theft. If convicted, he could face up to 41 years in prison. The car was not damaged and was returned to its owner, and authorities reminded people not to leave valuables in their vehicles. (Fredericksburg Patch)
2. OmniRide, a Virginia-based transit and mobility service, plans to open three bus routes in the Fredericksburg area, which will begin after the opening of the lengthened I-95 express lanes. The new routes will begin in the spring or summer of 2024, starting from commuter lots on State Route 630 and U.S. 17 in Stafford and in an unspecified location in Spotsylvania County. The new routes will provide faster commutes to Washington and nearby areas, addressing congestion issues for area commuters. (Fredericksburg.com)
3. A Spotsylvania man, Carmen J. Booze, was found dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash that occurred early Monday. His pickup truck had gone off the road and hit a tree on the 10500 block of Courthouse Road. Authorities believe Booze may have suffered a medical emergency before the accident, and the investigation is still ongoing. (Fredericksburg.com)

Today and tomorrow in Fredericksburg:

Thursday, March 2

• Origami Thursdays - Headquarters Library (5:30 PM)

Friday, March 3

• Fredericksburg Electoral Board Meeting - Executive Plaza - 601 Caroline St., Fifth Floor (9:00 AM)
• Outdoor Adventure & RV Expo - Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center (1:00 PM)
• IF: Gathering Women's Conference - Ebenezer United Methodist Church (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Fredericksburg Police Department is asking for the public's help identifying this man, who shoplifted from the Fredericksburg Shopping Center Family Dollar on Feb. 24. When an employee approached the suspect he pepper sprayed her and fled the store. (Fredericksburg Police Department via Facebook)
• From Black History Month to Women's History Month, continue celebrating the history and join us today (Mar. 2) with a panel presentation about Fredericksburg's Mary Washington Monument. (Fredericksburg, VA via Instagram)
• Rappahannock Goodwill will be partnering with Fredericksburg City Schools for its externship program, where students will work at Goodwill for a week and learn all the aspects of Goodwill with in-person learning! (Rappahannock Goodwill via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Reserve Mansion, Mclean Downsizing Online Auction (March 2)
• FTE Presents Stop Kiss Mar3-5, 10-12 (March 3)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (March 7)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll catch up with you soon with another update.

— 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.