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week in review

January 28, 2007 12:50 am

Toll lanes on Interstate 95 could reach south of Dumfries sooner than expected.

The two companies building the high-occupancy toll lanes from Washington to Spotsylvania--Fluor Virginia and Transurban USA--said they are open to a flexible timeline that could include a partial, staggered opening of HOT lanes in the Fredericksburg area.

They agreed to a new plan after Fredericksburg-area officials objected to a schedule that would have finished the lanes in 2014.

According to a preliminary schedule, construction could wrap up on a segment of the southern part of the project in 2011.

UMW considering purchase of two homes for offices

University of Mary Washington officials hope to buy two homes for office space, including a $2.5 million house at College Avenue and William Street.

The college is still negotiating a price for the home--which has been on the market since it was built two years ago.

The school recently agreed on a contract for the one behind it, at 1004 College Ave.

Caroline sets septic pumping deadline at end of 2008

Caroline County residents with septic tanks have nearly two years to get them inspected or pumped, not the two weeks that many originally feared, supervisors clarified last week.

The county sent notices to about 7,000 homes earlier this month explaining a state law requiring regular cleaning of septic systems and asking residents to send in information about their systems by Feb. 2.

That deadline is for residents to notify the county whether they have a septic system, and what condition it is in. The county said Dec. 31, 2008, is the deadline for pumping.

Developer withdraws plans for 132 townhomes off U.S. 1

Plans to build 132 townhomes on a strip of commercial land off of U.S. 1 near the Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania County line were withdrawn just before City Council members were to vote on them.

K. Hovnanian Homes had applied for a special-use permit to allow it to build the townhomes on commercial land.

The homes were to be part of a subdivision called Summerfield, which would straddle the Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania line. Summerfield includes plans for 88 homes to be built on the county side of the border.

Gang members plead guilty in Stafford County slaying

Two members of the street gang known as MS-13 have pleaded guilty for their roles in the Stafford County slaying of 21-year-old Shannah Marie Angeles.

Angeles, a resident of Illinois, was shot to death in the woods off Joshua Road on July 18.

Five suspected members of the street gang Mara Salvatrucha were later charged in connection with the slaying. Luis Antonio "Crimen" Serrano-Gutierrez, 19, of Woodbridge pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, conspiracy, using a firearm in the commission of a felony and participating in gang activity. Daniel A. "Slow" Bonilla-Del cid, 25, of Alexandria pleaded guilty to conspiracy and participating in gang activity.

Stafford School Board selects new school superintendent

The Stafford County School Board has named a veteran administrator with experience in seven school districts as its new superintendent.

David E. Sawyer has been a superintendent for four school divisions. He'll start running Stafford schools March 1, eight months after the School Board fired Jean Murray from the job without giving a reason.

Local Army colonel killed In helicopter crash in Iraq

Col. Paul Kelly of Stafford County was killed in Iraq when an Army helicopter was shot down. He was one of 12 soldiers killed in the crash.

He was married to Maria Kelly, who is a teacher's aid and nurse at St. William of York Catholic School. The couple's two children, 8-year-old Paul David and 5-year-old J.J., both attend the school.