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Construction begins for new lanes across Rappahannock
Road rage leads to shots fired
Colonial Forge football wins season opener VOL. 30 | NUM. 26
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AUGUST 31, 2018
Hero dog receives final honors
Military working dog Sita is saluted by Marines from Marine Corps Base Quantico and Stafford County Sheriff ’s Office deputies as she makes her way into the Aquia Garrisonville Veterinary Hospital on Aug. 24. JULIA LEDOUX/FOR INSIDENOVA
» BY JULIA LEDOUX FOR INSIDENOVA
Jim Andrews is starting his 53rd year as an educator. He teaches English at Stafford High School.
PROVIDED
Teachers, staff ready for class STUDENTS SAVOR LAST DAYS OF SUMMER BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS SEPT. 4
TRACY BELL » BY tbell@insidenova.com
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tudents attending Stafford County Public Schools will make their way to classrooms Tuesday for their first day of school. For some entering kindergarten, the day will be a series of memorable firsts, as many tearful parents
— and other excited ones — prepare for a whole new experience. They’ll be introduced to new teachers, new friends and a whole new learning environment, while returning students might not be looking forward to the end of summer but be curious about a fresh start. Stafford’s Superintendent Scott Kizner will be starting anew, too.
Kizner, who succeeds Bruce Benson as the head of SCPS, will start at his post Sept. 1 and plans to visit schools on the first day students are back to class. The veteran administrator and former teacher hails from Harrisonburg City Public Schools, where he spent the last eight years. He also has experience as a specialeducation educator and school psychologist.
Yankees in Falmouth Sat.-Sun, Sept. 8-9
EV
Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-3
Cannon & Artillery Firings n Camp ChurchSponsored Service n History Presentations by Trolleys willBrewing run from all locations Special Surgical Demonstrations n Adventure Company www.TourStaffordVA.com
STAFFORD NOVA Front strip ad (6.2” x 1.45”) YIF/CANNON RUN Strip Ad
DOG» PAGE 3
SCHOOLS» PAGE 3
11TH Annual Yankees In Falmouth & Cannon Run Historic Port of Falmouth Park, River Road, Falmouth Conway House, River Road, Falmouth E R F EN E T Civil War Park, Brook Road, N.Stafford
The sharp cry of “attention” echoed as local Marines and Stafford County Sheriff ’s Office deputies came together to honor one of their own as she made her final walk into the Aquia Garrisonville Veterinary Hospital. Sita, a 10-year-old German shepherd and retired Marine Corps working dog, had been battling an aggressive form of cancer for several months before her owners, PR Mathias and his wife, Marine Capt. Kristin Mathias, made the difficult decision to put her down Aug. 24. “She was my partner, my road dog, my garage buddy, my solace, my angel, my sword and my protector,” PR Mathias said. “She was not just a dog.” Sita underwent three surgeries since March in an attempt to curtail the cancer. Medical bills amounting to $8,000 were covered by Project K9 Hero, a nonprofit that supports working dogs by covering their medical costs and other expenses.
Cannon Run
Sun. Sept.9, starts 8 am
4-mile run along Rappahannock n Fun for all! n Register (fee) in advance or before race at 7 am n Part of 3 races in the Stafford Race Series, includes Kids easy 1k fun run n
www.CannonRun.org
STAFFORD COUNTY SUN
SUBSCRIBE TODAY INSIDENOVA.COM/SUBSCRIBE STAFFORDNEWS@INSIDENOVA.COM
CALL: (571) 208-8059