The News That Had Our Readers Talking: June 7 - June 14
What were the most-read stories of the week?
by Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT
The week just past saw justice for Max, a beagle born in the Envigo facility and adopted locally; a first look at City schools’ spring SOL results; a move to ban cell phones in two more area school divisions; preliminary approval of Mary Washington Hospital’s expansion plans; and an evolving E.Coli outbreak near Lake Anna.
Also this week, a commentary on cell phone bans, and Drew Gallagher learns more about the gay dolphins of Sarasota, Florida.
5. This Week’s Settlement Offers Justice for Max, the Envigo Beagle
Max was born in the now-shuttered Envigo facility in Cumberland, Virginia. Envigo's parent company pled guilty this week to violating the Animal Welfare Act must pay a record $22 million in fines. Max was adopted by a local family and is thriving.
4. Unadjusted SOL Scores in Fredericksburg Show Ups and Downs
City students’ unadjusted SOL test scores from this spring show some ups and some downs over last year, according to information shared with the School Board on Monday. The unadjusted scores represent the scores from all tests taken in April and May of this year, minus failing retakes and initial failing scores if there is a passing retake, said Lori Bridi, the division’s chief academic officer.
3. City Council Approves First Read of Hospital Expansion Plans
Fredericksburg City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a first read of a rezoning request from Mary Washington Healthcare that will permit the demolishment of the on-campus daycare facility and the construction of a two-story medical clinic in its place. The expansion plans also include the construction of a three-story office and conference center and a 6,000-square-foot addition to Snowden House.
2. Two Local School Divisions Propose Cell Phone Bans
Fredericksburg City and Caroline County Public Schools appear poised to join the growing number of school divisions across the state and country that are going “phone free.”
1. Health Department Investigating E.Coli Outbreak Near Lake Anna and More Illnesses Reported after E.Coli Exposure Near Lake Anna
The Virginia Department of Health says 25 people have been sick and nine have been hospitalized after contact with the water in Lake Anna between May 27 and June 4. The department is still working to determine the source of the outbreak.
COMMENTARY: Government Limits, Parents' Responsibilities
School districts are set to act on smartphone bans. That's good. But failing to define what problem they hope to address means smartphone bans could fail before they're ever implemented.
It's Drew Time! Let That Pride Flag, and Those Dolphins, Fly!
It's Pride Month, and Drew's investigating gay dolphins. Yes, they're a thing—especially in Sarasota, Florida! What will Ron DeSantis do? Will Spotsylvania ban "Island of the Blue Dolphins"?
Support Award-winning, Locally Focused Journalism
The FXBG Advance cuts through the talking points to deliver both incisive and informative news about the issues, people, and organizations that daily affect your life. And we do it in a multi-partisan format that has no equal in this region. Over the past month, our reporting was:
First to report Mary Washington Healthcare's move to close Kid's Station Daycare
First to detail MWHC's taking actions that undermine the viability of the Moss Free Clinic.
First to detail and then expose the controversy surrounding the Riverbend High School swim team
Providing the region's best political coverage of the upcoming 7th District Congressional race.
For just $8 a month, you can help support top-flight journalism that puts people over policies.
Your contributions 100% support our journalists.
Help us as we continue to grow!