Rappahannock Record

Back to school The 2026-27 academic year opened Monday, August 10, for Lancaster County Public Schools. Students in grades 7-12 were welcomed to the new high school at 100 Visionary Way, Irvington. The 138,000-square-foot facility has open learning spaces, a large weight/training room, open-concept library, primary and auxiliary gyms and lots of glass and natural lighting. Photo by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi

Carnival concludes The 91st Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Department Firemen’s Festival concluded Saturday, August 8, with the grand prize drawings. Jack Thomas won the John Deere Gator, Seth Bryant won the Evolution golf cart and Mark Williams won the John Deere 930 Zero Turn Lawnmower. Above, children hang on as the Go Gator whips up, down and around the track on Friday night. Photo by Robert Mason Jr.

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Activity at the Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Department Firemen’s Festival grandstand took a solemn twist Friday, August 7, as Del. Hillary Pugh Kent (left) presented a resolution to the family of the late Robert Bernard “Buddy” Keyser Jr. The resolution, adopted by the Virginia General Assembly in February, recognizes Keyser’s dedication to family, friends and the community, including the KVFD and the carnival for more than 60 years.

13 Thursday Celebrate Recovery, 6:30 p.m. White Stone Church of the Nazarene, White Stone. AA, 8 p.m. De Sales Hall, Kilmarnock. Cardio Dance, 8-9 a.m. Etudes Ballet School, 56 First Street, White Stone. Details, sign up, etudesballet.com. Yoga, 9-10 a.m. Etudes Ballet School, 56 First Street, White Stone. Details, sign up, etudesballet.com. A Walk On The Wild Side, 9-11 a.m. Camp Store, Belle Isle State Park, 1632 Belle Isle Road, Lancaster. Theme: Summer Flora and Fauna. $5 parking fee.

AnnGardner Eubank by AnnGardner Eubank A special election has been called for November 3 following the resignation of Northumberland school board chairman David Curran prior to the board’s July meeting. The term for the District 5 seat ends December 31, 2027. According to the Virginia Department of Elections, in order to be included on the ballot, candidates must file all necessary paperwork with the general registrar by 5 p.m. Friday, August 14.

Jackie Nunnery by Jackie Nunnery IRVINGTON—School administrators on Tuesday, August 4, briefed the Lancaster school board on back to school plans. High school principal Mike Myers shared plans for introducing students to new facilities before the school year was to begin. An orientation was scheduled for seventh and eighth graders and an open house Thursday, August 6, to help familiarize students with the new building and the expectations that come with high school.

Jackie Nunnery by Jackie Nunnery RICHMOND—The Primary Election on Tuesday, August 4, saw clear favorites picked to challenge long-time incumbents for seats in the U.S House of Representatives and Senate. Virginia has an open primary system, which means any registered voter can choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. All results are unofficial. Democrat Shannon L. Taylor beat out a crowded field of contenders attempting to unseat Rep.

Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi WHITE STONE—On the recommendation of the town planning commission, the White Stone Town Council on Thursday, August 6, approved two amendments to the zoning ordinance and an application for a conditional change of zoning. Thomas Wilson was sworn in as a White Stone councilman last week to fill a vacant seat. All three applications were approved unanimously, 6-0, with Charles Brocklebank making the motion to approve each.

WHITE STONE—The River Counties Community Foundation (RCCF) recently announced nearly $1.75 million in grants to 56 nonprofit organizations serving Lancaster, Middlesex and Northumberland. This is the fifth year in a row that RCCF’s annual grantmaking has exceeded $1 million. “Every application is reviewed by a group of community volunteers who live in those three counties,” said executive director Lincoln Boykin.