This Charming Little Virginia Town Might Just Be The Happiest Place In America

There are towns you visit and forget, and then there are towns like Orange, Virginia, that quietly rearrange your whole idea of what a good day looks like. Orange sits in the Piedmont region of Virginia, about an hour and a half from Washington, D.C. and 26 miles northeast of Charlottesville, and it has been recognized as one of the happiest places in America.

Applebee’s restaurant throws in the towel and serves its very last meal after 23 years

AN APPLEBEE’S restaurant has closed after more than two decades as a company partnership has continued to gain speed. The restaurant chain is currently working towards its goal of 80 dual-branded restaurants with IHOP, closing many single-branded locations in the process. Applebee’s has closed its restaurant at the Stafford...

There’s A Historic Train Depot In Virginia That Whisks You Back To The Early 1900s

There’s a spot in Montpelier Station, Virginia where the calendar on the wall still reads 1927, the telegraph equipment sits ready for the next message, and the only thing missing is the sound of a steam whistle cutting through the trees. The Historic Montpelier Railroad Depot, built around 1910,...

Voters in reliably red Fauquier County on the election’s blue wave

Voters in Fauquier County, Virginia, tend to be Republican stalwarts. The last time they supported a Democratic candidate for president was 1964, when Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in a landslide. In this year’s election, the county’s voters backed Republican Senate candidate Bert Mizusawa, who lost his bid to...

Group works to find the remains of Civil War soldiers in Manassas

MANASSAS, Va. - An effort to find the remains of Civil War soldiers is underway just outside of Manassas National Battlefield Park. The site is already home to a monument to Timothy Dunklin, a Texan, who, at age 16, fought for the Confederacy in the Second Battle of Manassas during the Civil War. Dunklin died in August 1862, explained Cherie Johnston, the executive director of the Manassas Battlefield Trust.

Four Virginia Barbecue Pits Where The Smoke Has Been Rolling Since Your Grandparents Were Young

Some Virginia barbecue spots were already old favorites back when your grandparents were teenagers. The four places on this list have been feeding hungry families for decades, and one of them has been around since 1904. They are not fancy, and that is a big part of their charm. If...

‘We will not stop’: Despite concerns, city council approves updated Small Area 8 Plan

On Tuesday night, the Fredericksburg City Council held a public hearing that could shape the future of the city’s Mayfield neighborhood. But first, Ward 4 Councilor Chuck Frye — a fourth-generation Mayfield resident who represents the historically-Black neighborhood — wanted to talk about its past. Frye recounted...

Louisa County students cook and serve lunch for veterans

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Veterans left a lunch in Louisa County with full stomachs. The students who fed them left with lessons on giving back. “This is a great way to show them that we can use the skills that we have and give back to the community at the same time,” Louisa County High School Culinary Arts Instructor Ben Howell said.

Verizon tries easing copper concerns; customers not convinced

Verizon held court with customers opposed to the company’s proposed copper landline cuts in a Culpeper ballroom Thursday night. The company reiterated its plans to move forward, while customers continued to voice objections. “I want my landline, quote me on that!” Rixeyville resident Michelle North told the Rappahannock News....

VDOT seeks public input on two Route 29 intersections

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The Virginia Department of Transportation wants public input on two Route 29 intersections as the state studies possible improvements in Albemarle and Fauquier counties. In Albemarle County, the study covers Route 29, also called Seminole Trail, at Airport Road and Proffit Road. In Fauquier County, the...

From cellophane to wastewater, FMC ‘was what the community needed at the right time’

For Brian Orrock, the official decommissioning of the FMC Wastewater Treatment Plant was “bittersweet.”. “It’s kind of like a funeral, but a good funeral, if that makes sense,” said Orrock, the manager of wastewater treatment for Spotsylvania County who used to work “on ship” at the plant in a variety of different roles. “This place gave us a career and it fed our families.”

Caroline County Public Schools adds inaugural Hall of Distinction

In its first year, the Caroline County Public Schools’ Hall of Fame committee inducted 16 individuals for their athletic accomplishments. This year, CCPS added a 3E component to the honor. Alums could now be selected based on their success in future enrollment, enlistment or employment opportunities. At Monday night’s...

Culpeper officials weigh broadband expansion, jail planning, and new support for agriculture

When Culpeper County’s board of supervisors pulled the plug with All-Points Broadband in March 2025, more than 4,300 unserved homes and businesses didn’t know if they’d have reliable fiber internet for years to come.  The All-Points contract called for running 536 miles of fiber in the county and came about due to a 2024 Virginia Intercommunications Technology (VATI) grant administered […] The post Culpeper officials weigh broadband expansion, jail planning, and new support for agriculture first appeared on The Piedmont Journal Recorder .

Fredericksburg Women Spread Warmth, Compassion and Hope Through Blanket Drive

While serving at the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem in 2023, Fredericksburg Community Organizer Reedema Rock received a vision from God to help the homeless and be a blessing to those in need.

Visitor Center exhibit showcases Patawomeck Tribe’s literal roots

For David Jett and his fellow Patawomeck tribal citizens, the objects on display in the Fredericksburg Visitor Center this past Friday held dual meanings. “Where others see a poplar tree, we see a bark basket or a dugout canoe,” he said. “Where others see pine needles as an annoyance to sweep off your porch, we see a basket.”

PHOTOS/WATCH: Veterans Day in Fredericksburg

Dogs Are the No. 1 Customer at This New Bakery in Fredericksburg

There’s a new bakery in Fredericksburg — but it’s not your typical dog-friendly bakery. At Hound & Crumb Dog Bakery + Café, the dog is the customer. The new spot officially opens on Saturday, November 14. Don’t expect to find coffee and sandwiches on the menu...

Louisa County teachers surprised in classrooms with innovation grants

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Teachers in Louisa County were surprised in their classrooms with a big check and a grant to help further the education of their students. Louisa County teachers received the school district’s 5 C’s Innovation Grants. The teachers learned they had won when the...

🛍️ Local Holiday Shopping Guide - Supporting Local Businesses

Be sure to bookmark this guide and check back as you plan your holiday shopping!. Local Businesses We Love Black Friday Small Business Saturday. The holiday season is the perfect time to show some love to the local businesses that make our community special! ❤️ From unique gifts and family experiences to delicious treats and services that make life a little easier, our local businesses have so much to offer.

Where to Find Santa in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania & Stafford

The holiday magic is already in the air, and guess who’s making his list of stops around town? That's right – Santa Claus!. From festive tree lightings and holiday parades to special visits, breakfast dates, and photo opportunities, Santa is already making his rounds through Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. Whether your little ones want to share their Christmas wishes, snap a photo, or simply say hello, we've rounded up places and times to catch the jolly old elf this holiday season. Grab your calendar, bundle up the kiddos, and get ready for a little Christmas magic!