Patient Zero, a juried exhibition tied to Factory of Fear, opens Saturday at ARTfactory in Manassas, and Stafford supervisors agreed to revisit data-center tax incentives on Oct. 27.
On the calendar
Patient Zero: An Exhibition — Saturday, Oct. 3, 6 to 8 p.m., ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas. According to the Potomac Local events calendar, the Caton Merchant Gallery opening is a free artist reception for a juried show of more than 70 works by 54 artists. The exhibition runs through Nov. 1 and is tied to this year’s Factory of Fear theme, Outbreak.
Coming up
Fall Festival at Tackett’s Mill — Saturday, Oct. 3, 1 to 3 p.m., Tackett’s Mill Shopping Center, 2201 Old Bridge Road, Lake Ridge. According to the Potomac Local events calendar, the afternoon is built for kids, with a slime station, pumpkin decorating, crafts, games, and food vendors.
We love featuring events from our Potomac Local News calendar, and it’s free to post! See the Potomac Local events calendar and submit an event.
Also in the news
Stafford supervisors to revisit data-center incentives
According to the Fredericksburg Free Press, Stafford supervisors agreed Tuesday to revisit on Oct. 27 whether data centers should be eligible for certain economic-development incentives, and to discuss ending by-right data centers on land zoned for heavy industry. Rock Hill District Supervisor Crystal Vanuch raised the incentive question at a joint meeting with the Economic Development Authority and asked why the county would offer a local break when the state already gives data-center tax treatment.
Economic Development Director Liz Barber said the county has not seen data-center developers apply for the incentives Vanuch questioned. Falmouth District Supervisor Kecia Evans said incentive packages still need board approval. Garrisonville District Supervisor Pamela Yeung said a review should cover other businesses too. Board Vice Chairwoman Maya Guy said she would not vote to remove data centers from incentive eligibility, but agreed to keep the conversation on a future agenda. Chairman Deuntay Diggs said county ordinances have already cooled some developer interest. Supervisors also asked staff to look at whether the county can end non-disclosure agreements with data-center developers. The Free Press reported more than 10 data centers are already proposed in Stafford.
Early voting is up across the Fredericksburg region
According to the Fredericksburg Free Press, early voting in the Fredericksburg region is ahead of the same point in the 2022 congressional midterms. The Virginia Public Access Project counted about 282,000 ballots cast statewide in person or by mail as of Sept. 30, more than double the 2022 pace.
Stafford had 4,848 ballots cast, compared with 2,529 at this point in 2022. Spotsylvania had 4,764, compared with 3,372. Fredericksburg had 902, compared with 596. King George had 972, compared with 879. The Free Press said every Fredericksburg-area locality is in the 7th Congressional District, where Democrat Eugene Vindman is the incumbent and Republican Doug Ollivant is the challenger.
Fredericksburg youth violence plan goes to a joint session Oct. 27
According to the Fredericksburg Free Press, the city has published a 113-page Fredericksburg Youth Violence Prevention Plan, written by consultant WestEd for a steering committee chaired by Sheriff Rashawn Cowles. The Free Press said the committee formed after two teen shooting deaths in 2023 and is funded by a Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services grant.
The report says the city’s on-time graduation rate has stayed 7 to 11 points below the state average for more than a decade, and that in 2024-25 one in four city students missed 10 percent or more of the school year. City Council and the School Board are set for a joint work session on Oct. 27. The city said hiring a recreation director has already doubled teen programming.
Historic Fredericksburg Foundation back in court on Lewis Street
According to the Fredericksburg Free Press, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc. and the city were in Fredericksburg Circuit Court on Wednesday on whether the foundation has standing to appeal demolition of 204 Lewis Street, a circa-1910 carriage-house building in the historic district. The Virginia Supreme Court sent the case back after ruling the Court of Appeals was wrong to dismiss it on standing before City Council.
City attorney Heather Bardot argued the foundation has not shown particularized harm from losing what she called a dilapidated garage. Foundation attorney Clark Leming said the building is the closest historic structure to the group’s headquarters at 1200 Caroline Street, 46 feet away, and that demolition is final. Retired Circuit Court Judge Paul Cella took the question under advisement and said he will rule next week. The original certificate of appropriateness expired in June 2022.
Mary Washington Monument grounds headed for a 2027 redo
According to the Fredericksburg Free Press, Washington Heritage Museums broke ground Tuesday on a project meant to turn the grounds of the Mary Washington Monument into a gathering place by spring 2027. Interim director Chuck Fennell said Field Design and Habalis Construction will add gardens, paths, seating, ADA access, and a pergola-covered patio.
Ward 2 Councilor Joy Crump called the obelisk the first monument erected to a woman, by women. The group said its Monumental Campaign raised $1.6 million, the amount projected to cover the work. The city deeded the property to the museums in 2023. A renovation of the 1895 caretaker’s cottage is already done.
Be a Local in the Know. Get All the News & Fewer Ads.
Since 2010, Potomac Local News has produced honest, trusted local news reporting.
Please become a member today for 100% access, and support community journalism.
