The News That Had Our Readers Talking: June 7 - June 21
What were the most-read stories of the week?
by Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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The week just past saw more arguments over Mary’s Landing, Thomas Taylor leaving the top school job Stafford, Elementary School 19 getting shelved for now, Nicole Cole announcing plans to move on from Spotsylvania School Board, and Lisa Phelps caught having a moment on police body cams.
Also this week, a commentary that deconstructs the Democratic and Republican primaries and points to things to watch in the months ahead; Drew Gallagher opines on monkeys, Everest, and running naked through the streets of Culpeper.
5. Attorney Contesting By Right Status of Proposed Mary's Landing Development
An attorney hired by a group of Fredericksburg residents is asking the City’s planning department to deny approval of the site plan for the proposed Mary’s Landing development in the Canal Quarter neighborhood.
4. Stafford Superintendent Leaving for Montgomery County
Stafford County Public Schools’ loss is Montgomery County, Maryland’s gain, as Thomas Taylor leaves to head the nation’s 15th largest public school district.
3. Stafford Supervisors Defer Approval of Conditional Use Permit for Elementary School 19
Move will delay construction of new school by at least two months, School Board says.
2. Nicole Cole Announces for State Delegate
Bobby Orrock has competition next November, as Spotsylvania School Board member Nicole Cole announces that she will run to unseat the long-serving delegate in November 2025.
1. Lisa Phelps Caught on Police Body Cam
Shortly after walking out of closed session, Lisa Phelps launched into a diatribe accusing fellow board members of “bullying” her and calling out administrators in the board room.
COMMENTARY: The Game Is On ...
24 hours after polls closed, we know election fatigue is real, Trump looms large (but how large?), and striking the right message matters. Firing up voters will be no easy matter.
It's Drew Time! How to Drag a Body and Other Fun Facts
We here at the Advance are really beginning to worry about Drew’s mental health. I mean, if you were the editor here and read the first paragraph when Drew filed last week (“A few weeks ago, I was wandering the streets of downtown Culpeper, destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical, naked, looking for an angry fix, when I stumbled upon a store called Le Monkey House.”) you’d be a little worried, too. But in the end, it all worked out OK as Drew fled the monkeys and ascended Mount Everest. (But if you happen to be in downtown Culpeper and see a naked man running down the street, call us. We’ll come get him.)
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