MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Police are investigating after an 18-year-old man was fatally struck by a train early Wednesday morning near Manassas Drive.

Officers responded to a call around 4:20 a.m. reporting a person hit by a train north of Manassas Drive. When first responders arrived, they found an adult male with fatal injuries. The man, a Manassas resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say the victim was on or near the tracks when the train approached. Train traffic was halted during the initial investigation but has since resumed.

The Manassas Park Police Department says the incident remains under active investigation. While there is no indication of foul play, officials are working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the official cause and manner of death. The identity of the victim is being withheld out of respect for the family.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Manassas Park Police Department at 703-361-1136 or Crime Solvers at 703-330-0330.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Potomac Local News is giving away free tickets to one of the most powerful shows of the summer—Next to Normal at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts—and entering is as simple as filling out a form.

This summer, Riverside presents a bold and emotional musical that explores the story of a suburban family facing the challenges of bipolar disorder, grief, and mental health recovery. Set to a gripping contemporary rock score, Next to Normal is a Broadway favorite and winner of three Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

🎟️ Enter to Win

You don’t need to write a nomination or tell a story—just enter your name and email for a chance to win. Paid members of Potomac Local News will receive an extra entry as a thank-you for supporting independent local journalism.

👉 Click here to enter the giveaway.

🏆 Prizes

We’ll randomly select three winners:

• 🥇 First Place – 4 tickets
• 🥈 Second Place – 2 tickets
• 🥉 Third Place – 2 tickets

🎉 Winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 9, 2025
🎭 Winners may select any available performance through August 3, 2025

💬 About the Show

Next to Normal follows a seemingly typical American family hiding deep emotional scars. With its raw depiction of mental illness, family trauma, and the path to healing, the show has earned praise from critics and audiences alike.

This Riverside production stars Adrienne Hick and Andrew Foote, a real-life couple returning to the stage after their acclaimed appearance in The Bridges of Madison County. Directed by Penny Ann Moss, the cast brings fresh energy and emotional depth to this acclaimed work.

🎤 Bonus: Attend a Speaker Night

Before five select performances, community leaders and mental health advocates will speak about their own experiences and local mental health resources. These talks begin at 6:30 p.m., between dinner service and the show’s curtain at 7:30 p.m.

Speaker Nights:

• July 3 – Antwaun Carey Gay, author and public servant
• July 10 – Rappahannock Area Community Services Board
• July 17 – Mental Health America Fredericksburg
• July 24 – Dr. Theron Stinar, Fredericksburg Christian Health Center
• August 3 – Randy Feltner, firefighter and mental health advocate

Attending one of these nights adds meaningful context to the show and helps continue important community conversations around mental wellness.

❤️ Why We’re Doing This

At Potomac Local News, we believe in celebrating stories that matter—and that includes the ones told on stage. This giveaway is our way of saying thank you to our readers and helping bring visibility to important mental health issues in our region.

Enter today for your chance to win. Winners will be contacted by email on Tuesday, July 9.

 

Just Listed in Potomac Shores: Immaculate Townhome with EV Charger and More!

This beautiful townhome at 1763 Hickory Woods Rd, Dumfries, VA 22026 is the total package—and then some. Immaculately kept and showing like new, this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home should be at the very top of your list.

The entry-level bedroom with a full bath offers the flexibility you need—whether for guests, a home office, or a private retreat. Upstairs, the main level is a bright, modern open-concept space anchored by a massive 8-foot kitchen island, perfect for entertaining or everyday living. You’ll love the spacious living room, generous dining area (seats eight comfortably!), powder room, and access to the expanded composite deck ready for your summer cookouts.

Upstairs, two additional bedrooms share a full bath, and the owner’s suite is your peaceful escape with ample closet space and a soothing en suite bathroom.

Other standout features:

• EV charger already installed in your 2-car garage
• HOA amenities include pools, trails, clubhouse, and more
• Built in 2021 and still feels brand new
• Nearly 2,000 sq ft of finished living space
• Priced at $639,500

Potomac Shores living means resort-style amenities, top-rated schools, and a convenient location with easy access to I-95, commuter lots, and the upcoming VRE station.

📍MLS# VAPW2096446
🏡 Schedule your showing today—GPS directions are accurate!

This is a sponsored post. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact your local real estate professional.

Listed by Mark Worrilow
Fathom Realty
Licensed in VA
📧 [email protected]
📞 (703) 244-8702
MLS#: 0225209736

👉 [Schedule a showing today!]

 

DUMFRIES, Va. – Fireworks will light up the sky over Garrison Park this Sunday as the Town of Dumfries hosts its annual Independence Fireworks Show.

The event takes place on July 6, 2025, from 5 to 10 p.m. at 17749 Main Street and promises an evening full of family fun. According to a news release from the Town of Dumfries, attendees can enjoy live music, food trucks, games, vendors, and a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m.

The town says the celebration is a chance for residents and visitors alike to gather in the spirit of community and patriotism.

Click here to see more Independence Day events happening across the region.

QUANTICO, Va. – A summer tradition returns to Northern Virginia with a patriotic lineup of performances from some of the nation’s top military ensembles. The 2025 Summer Concert Series at the National Museum of the Marine Corps continues on Thursday, July 3, with a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment.

Hosted by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, the free concert series celebrates 250 years of Marine Corps music, tradition, and pride. Each performance begins at 7 p.m. and takes place on select Thursdays through August 28 on the museum grounds at 1775 Semper Fidelis Way in Triangle.

🎖️ July 3 – U.S. Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment

The Battle Color Detachment showcases three ceremonial units from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.: the Silent Drill Platoon, the Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Marine Corps Color Guard. Known for their precision and pageantry, the detachment travels worldwide representing the discipline and excellence of the Marine Corps. The July 3 event promises a full military pageant with synchronized rifle drills and stirring music.

🎷 July 24 – U.S. Navy Concert Band

Founded in 1925, the U.S. Navy Concert Band is the premier wind ensemble of the U.S. Navy. Based in Washington, D.C., the group performs at presidential inaugurations, state ceremonies, and public concerts across the country. The band is known for its symphonic sound, performing everything from classical works and patriotic marches to jazz and Broadway medleys.

🎼 August 7 – “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Big Band

This dynamic jazz ensemble is a part of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, the oldest continuously active professional musical group in the nation. The Big Band unit delivers classic swing and big band jazz from legends like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller—offering a more relaxed, toe-tapping take on the Marine Band’s historic legacy.

🎶 August 21 – U.S. Air Force Band Airmen of Note

Formed in 1950 to carry on the tradition of Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces dance band, the Airmen of Note is the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force. This 18-member group tours internationally, performing an energetic mix of swing, bebop, Latin, and modern jazz. They are also known for their educational outreach to aspiring young musicians.

🎺 August 28 – “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band

The concert series concludes with a performance by “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, the official musical organization of the President of the United States. Established by Congress in 1798, the band has played for every U.S. president since Thomas Jefferson. Known for its extraordinary talent and historic significance, the Marine Band performs with unmatched musical precision and patriotic spirit.

Each concert offers visitors the opportunity to experience world-class musical performances in a family-friendly setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and their love of music and country.

What started as a separate movie theater and bowling alley with a myriad of names is now “Hooky,” an entertainment destination at Spotsylvania Town Centre that offers something for everyone, even if you’re playing hooky from another obligation.

One aging sign in the window reads “We’re Evolving, Paragon Village is now EVO Entertainment,” but above the door, it’s labeled “Hooky Now Open.” It was also called “Muvico,” at one time.

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FALMOUTH, Va. – A Falmouth woman is pushing back against a county order to shut down a small farm stand on her property, saying the structure is part of a broader effort to preserve the agricultural lifestyle that once defined Stafford County.

Stefanie Hughes, a fifth-generation Stafford County resident, erected a 4-by-8-foot shed on her five-acre property on Brooke Road over Memorial Day weekend to sell eggs, herbal tea, compost, sunflowers, seasonal produce, and baked goods like blueberry scones. The makeshift wayside stand, built from leftover lumber, was up for just over a week when a cease-and-desist letter arrived in the mail on May 30.

The letter from county zoning officials ordered Hughes to stop operating the stand, citing zoning regulations that prohibit such structures on land zoned A-2 (Rural Residential). “I was just trying to do something simple and good for the community,” said Hughes. “This isn’t a large operation. It’s a table in a shed with a few things we produce here on our land.”

Hughes said the idea started when her 8-year-old daughter wanted to sell some of their surplus eggs.

According to Stafford County spokeswoman Shannon Eubanks, the property has been zoned A-2 since at least 1965, based on records that predate the county’s current zoning ordinance. While wayside stands are allowed in A-1 agricultural zoning, they are not permitted in the A-2 district.

“The A-2 zoning district omits the ‘wayside’ use; therefore, it is prohibited,” said Eubanks. “Unless the Board of County Supervisors amends the A-2 zoning permitted uses, the wayside use is not permitted.”

Eubanks confirmed that the county issued the order following a complaint about a traffic issue at the intersection of Caroway Drive and Brooke Road, where there is no designated off-street parking. “We operate on a complaint basis only,” she added.

Hughes disputes that the stand posed a hazard and said she believes the complaint may have stemmed from a neighbor’s concern about the shed’s placement. “There’s been no danger or disruption. We’re just trying to live simply and teach our kids about responsibility and community,” she said.

The county does offer a possible path forward: Hughes has appealed the violation, and alternative compliance options may exist under the county’s home business regulations. A Home Business I would allow operations by appointment only, with off-street parking. A Home Business II, which allows limited customer visits, would require a Special Exception under A-2 zoning.

Hughes remains frustrated by what she sees as a lack of support for small-scale farming. “Over the past 30 years, the agricultural lifestyle has disappeared from Stafford,” she said. “I’m just trying to hold onto a piece of it.”

Eubanks said the zoning office “tries to find solutions to potential violations within the requirements of the zoning ordinance,” but no changes to permitted A-2 uses are currently on the table.

MANASSAS, Va. – A dragon, a swamp, and a whole lot of heart are taking over the stage at All Saints Catholic Church this summer as the Upper Room Theatre Ministry prepares for its biggest production yet: Shrek the Musical.

Celebrating nearly 25 years since its founding, the Upper Room Theatre Ministry has transformed from a small church program into a regionally recognized theater experience. What began in 2000 with just 14 cast members in Godspell has become a summer tradition that draws talent from across the Mid-Atlantic and fills seats with thousands of theatergoers from around the region.

“From the very beginning, it was about giving young people something bigger than themselves to be a part of,” said Chris Zavadowski, one of the theater’s longtime leaders. “And now it’s something the whole community looks forward to every year.”

This summer’s production of Shrek the Musical features seven performances from July 15–20, with an expected audience of more than 3,500. The show includes a cast and crew of volunteers—some seasoned professionals, others brand new to the stage. Zavadowski and fellow director Rob Tessier say that’s part of the magic: a mix of Broadway-caliber talent and first-time performers learning side by side.

Auditions for Shrek drew more than 170 hopefuls from Virginia, Maryland, D.C., and West Virginia. The production will feature a massive 14-foot-tall set, an orchestra performing on 78 different instruments, and a show-stopping, 13-foot animatronic dragon—custom built by a team in China that typically creates creatures for theme parks.

Tessier, who also serves as the church’s Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, says the production has a deeper purpose. “The incredible thing is that all profits go back into supporting our youth ministry programs,” he said. “Last summer alone, we funded mission trips for about 150 students through the success of our theater program.”

From costume rentals sourced from Philadelphia to volunteers who have gone on to perform on Broadway, at Disney, or with the National Symphony Orchestra, the production draws top-tier talent. But what makes the ministry stand out is its commitment to community and mentorship. Volunteers help train aspiring sound engineers, lighting designers, and stage crew members—many of whom get their first exposure to the arts through Upper Room.

“We jokingly call it ‘Camp Upper Room’ sometimes,” said Zavadowski. “Every person involved, whether it’s their first show or their 100th, grows and learns through this process.”

This year’s production promises more than spectacle. At its core, Shrek the Musical offers a message about dignity, acceptance, and self-worth. “It’s a story that reminds us that everyone has a place and a purpose,” said Tessier. “We want audiences to leave smiling, laughing, maybe even a little teary-eyed—but definitely feeling something meaningful.”

Performances will be held at the All Saints Performing Arts Center, just outside Old Town Manassas. The venue includes free parking, reserved seating, and family-friendly matinees. VIP passes are also available and include perks like backstage tours and exclusive photo ops.

For showtimes, tickets, and more information, visit upperroomtheatreministry.org/tickets.