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OctOber 16, 2015
VOlume 27, Number 31
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ViewpointS, page 4 | pUZZLeS, page 13 | cLaSSiFiedS, pageS 14, 15
Satisfying Stafford
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SHS students to make up missed time
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or those craving a taste of life, Stafford County strives to keep getting better. Three years ago when residents were asking for improved shopping opportunities, restaurants and recreation, the county made a point to closely examine its retail profile. County staff looked at what residents spend money on and where, as well as what types of retail operations the county lacked, and found that residents
were willing to spend more money in their own community for these opportunities, according to Stafford County’s Public Information Office. Now the county is home to Umi Japanese Fine Dining, Peet’s Coffee and More, Mission BBQ, Fatty’s Crabhouse, Sarku Japan, Cornbread and Caviar, Colonial Cupcakes, The Grille, Panera, Dunkin’ Donuts, Adventure Brewing Co. and Chipotle. Stafford also now has Freddy’s Frozen
Custard and Steakburgers, Goodyear, Sonic and Bojangles Famous Chicken and Biscuits. Businesses that relocated within the county include Bella Café, Honey Baked Ham and The Icing Baking Company. “We heard our residents loud and clear, and we have worked successfully to fill that gap,” said Stafford County Supervisors’ Chairman Gary SnelStaFFoRd lings, R-Hartwood. “We page 14 have engaged more than 60
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Tracy Bell
Stafford County Sun
tafford High School students will make up the time lost after starting the school year later than the rest of the county’s schools. The question is how. On Tuesday, the Stafford County School Board discussed options for how the school’s students will make up the four missed days. SHS students were supposed to start school Sept. 8, but instead started Sept. 14. The newly built school was still under construction when the first day of school rolled around. “We’re looking at 1,412 minutes of makeup time here,” said Rick Fitzgerald, executive director of human resources for Stafford County Public Schools. Fitzgerald said that a review committee recently formed to discuss options for the make-up time, and the committee came up with three possibilities. The first scenario would add 10 minutes to the school day beginning Nov. 2 through February; hold a full day of school Nov. 3, which is Election Day and a professional learning day for school staff; and hold full days of school Jan. 27, 28 and 29 — currently set as early-release days due to exams. The second option would add 10 minutes to the start of the school day through April beginning Nov. 2, and students would attend school on Election Day. The third option is to start the school day 10 minutes early through the end of the school year, beginning Nov. 2. The school board discussed the topic as an information item, and will vote SHS on the matter at a future meeting. page 10 School board member Scott