STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Newly added brewing equipment at Highmark Brewery in Stafford County takes this already-established name in local beer to another level. Moving beyond its menu of eight standards and a few rotating beer types, Highmark is setting a new note on the brew scene with the recent installation of three new fermentation tanks, three extractors, and a modern keg washer.

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STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County will honor America’s fallen heroes with a special Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10 a.m. The event will be held at the Armed Services Memorial on the campus of the George L. Gordon, Jr., Government Center, located at 1300 Courthouse Road in Stafford.

This year’s program will feature a special appearance by The Old Guard, the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Regiment. Known as the Army’s official ceremonial unit and the escort to the president, The Old Guard performs military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, guards the Tomb of the Unknowns around the clock, and represents the Army at ceremonies in the nation’s capital and beyond.

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WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Prince William County Parks is bringing back its popular "Fridays at 5" concert series for 2025. Starting this June, the series will feature five evenings of free live music, food trucks, and good vibes.

Held at Sean T. Connaughton Plaza in Woodbridge, the outdoor shows kick off at 5 p.m. and feature performances from local favorites like The Chocolate Factory Band, The Deloreans, and Whiskey Acolyte. DJ Moe Vibez spins between sets. Admission and parking are free.

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SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – What began as an unexpected career pivot has led to an achievement for one Fredericksburg-area couple. Drs. Edmond and Sherri Bergeron, both United States military veterans, recently earned their Doctorates in Education from Liberty University—crossing the stage together on May 8, 2025, after four years of hard work, determination, and mutual encouragement.

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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will consider a sweeping proposal on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, that could dramatically change how and where data centers operate. The proposed changes, which the county planning commission will first review, include stricter zoning rules, expanded development standards, and long-term operational oversight to reduce impacts on nearby communities.

Data Centers May Lose “By-Right” Status in Three Zones

Under the proposed ordinance, data centers would no longer be allowed by right in three zoning districts where they are currently permitted without a public hearing:

• B-2 Urban Commercial District – Intended for retail, dining, offices, and service businesses along commercial corridors.

• REC Recreational Business Campus District – Meant for entertainment venues, sports complexes, and hospitality-focused developments.

• M-1 Light Industrial District – Designed for low-impact industrial uses like warehousing, light manufacturing, and research.

If the Board approves the change following the planning commission’s review, developers must seek rezoning or a conditional use permit (CUP) to build data centers in these areas. Both processes involve public hearings and require a vote by the Board of Supervisors.

Data centers would remain by-right in:

• M-2 Heavy Industrial District – Reserved for high-impact industries like large-scale manufacturing and utility infrastructure.

• ICTP (Integrated Corporate and Technology Park Overlay) District – An overlay designed for corporate headquarters, research campuses, and tech firms in a park-like setting.

New Operational and Development Standards Proposed

Beyond zoning changes, the proposal introduces new performance standards to limit the impact of data center development. These include:

Setbacks from Property Lines

• 100 feet from residential or non-industrial property lines inside the Urban Services Area (USA).

• 200 feet from residential or non-industrial property lines outside the USA.

Mandatory Vegetated Buffers

• 50-foot landscaped buffer required between data centers and neighboring residential or non-industrial uses.

• Buffers may be located within the required setback area.

Open Space Requirements

• Projects outside the USA must preserve at least 30% of the site as open space.

Security Fencing Standards

• Seven-foot minimum fencing with anti-climbing features and controlled access gates.

• Fencing must be located inside the landscaped buffer zone.

Noise Mitigation Measures

• All mechanical equipment must have sound barriers or muffling materials to reduce noise.

• Developers must submit detailed sound studies before construction and provide post-construction verification.

• Operators would be required to perform annual noise monitoring for 10 years after the facility opens to ensure compliance.

Flexibility for Site-Specific Modifications

• The Board may adjust setbacks or buffers based on site-specific studies, such as viewshed analyses or noise impact reports.

Advocacy Group Raises Concerns, Reports Social Media Hack

Local watchdog group Protect Stafford, led by Erin Sanzero, has been raising awareness about the potential impacts of data center expansion on the environment, traffic, and local neighborhoods. The group held a public information session on May 13, 2025, highlighting concerns about projects like the Stafford Technology Campus and Amazon’s Potomac Church Tech Center.

However, Sanzero told Potomac Local News that the group’s outreach hit a snag over the weekend. She reported that both her personal Facebook account and the Protect Stafford Facebook page were hacked and disabled less than 24 hours after posting about the upcoming Board vote.

“Someone was able to associate my profile with an Instagram that is not mine, and before I could do anything, everyone was completely disabled… there’s no way for me to attempt to appeal it,” Sanzero wrote in an email. “I will continue to try to encourage our email list serve, but it is disappointing to lose our social media reach going into this vote. The timing and rapidity is also alarming and distressing.”

Protect Stafford’s website remains operational despite the loss of social media platforms. The group has updated its homepage with information on how residents can participate in the Board’s meeting.

How to Participate in the Meeting

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will discuss the proposed data center ordinance at its meeting on:

• Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5 p.m.

• Stafford County Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford.

• Can’t make the meeting? Stream it live.

Residents are encouraged to attend and share their comments on the proposed changes.

For more information about Protect Stafford’s advocacy efforts, visit protectstafford.com.

MANASSAS, Va. – The City of Manassas is moving ahead with the next phase of its $16 million purchase of the Manassas Shopping Center, and residents are invited to help shape what comes next.

Community Conversations Set for June

The city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) will host two Community Conversations on Tuesday, June 3, and Tuesday, June 10, from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Manassas Community Center, 8750 Sudley Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and refreshments will be available.

City officials will present details about the property at 9018 Mathis Avenue and ask residents for their ideas on its future. Both meetings will cover the same information, giving people the flexibility to attend the date that works best for them.

Why This Property Matters

In July 2024, the city completed its $16 million purchase of the 14-acre shopping center from Four Taylor’s LLC. The property includes 21 commercial tenants, such as Advance Auto Parts and Pitkins Hardware.

City officials say the purchase is part of a long-term plan to revitalize the Mathis Avenue corridor and make it a more walkable, welcoming place to live and do business. A commercial real estate firm hired by the EDA manages the property, with revenues and expenses tracked separately as operations stabilize.

City leaders say these meetings are the first step in a larger planning process. The feedback gathered will help guide future decisions about how the property could be redeveloped to meet community needs.

“We are committed to working with our residents, business owners, and community partners to shape a shared vision for this important property,” the city said in a statement announcing the meetings.

Mixed Public Opinion
Public reaction to the city’s purchase has been mixed. According to a June 2024 Potomac Local News survey, 31% of respondents supported the move, citing opportunities for strategic redevelopment and long-term economic benefits. Others raised concerns about the cost and the city’s role as a commercial landlord.

City officials say they hope the upcoming meetings will help address those concerns and keep the process transparent as planning continues.

STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County Fire and Rescue says all northbound lanes of Interstate 95 were shut down around 8:45 p.m. Saturday in the area of mile marker 132.9/133, just north of the Rappahannock River bridge, following a traffic crash. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

About 15 minutes later, the Virginia Department of Transportation clarified that the closure affected the local lanes of I-95 northbound. In a social media post just before 9 p.m., VDOT said the entrance ramps to I-95 northbound from Exit 130 (Route 3) in Fredericksburg were closed due to the crash near mile marker 132.

VDOT added that the through lanes of I-95 northbound remained open but with reduced capacity. Drivers were advised to use exits 133 (Route 17) or 126 (Massaponax) to access northbound I-95.

Officials have not released additional details about the crash or how long the closure is expected to last.

Follow PotomacLocal.com online and on social media for updates.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGo!) is rolling out route realignments and a new route naming system for its Spotsylvania County bus service, with changes set to take effect on May 19, 2025.

According to FXBGo!, the adjustments come after extensive community feedback gathered through its Transit Strategic Plan. The updated routes aim to streamline service, reduce travel times, and better connect riders to key destinations throughout Spotsylvania County.

As part of the update, FXBGo! will retire letter-based route names, switching to a number-only naming system designed to make navigating the system easier for riders. New maps and updated schedules reflecting the changes will be available at Central Station and online at rideFXBGO.com.

“Our riders have been very instrumental in helping us to shape changes that will benefit the entire system. We are certain that the changes to the Spotsylvania Routes will have a positive impact on how our customers utilize the system,” said Jamie Jackson, Director of Public Transit and Transportation for FXBGo!

For more information about the route changes or to view updated maps and schedules, visit ridefxbgo.com or follow FXBGo! on Facebook.

FXBGo! Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGo) is the public transportation provider serving the Fredericksburg region, including the City of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County. FXBGo offers a network of affordable and reliable fixed-route bus services, ADA-compliant paratransit services, and specialized transportation options designed to meet the needs of residents, commuters, students, and visitors.