Author: Potomac Local News

Prince William

Prince William County Mourns Zella Salley Brown, Last of the ‘Courageous Four’

By Potomac Local News

Prince William County has lost a quiet trailblazer. Zella Salley Brown, the last surviving member of the “Courageous Four,” passed away on June 30, 2026, at age 90.

In 1964, Brown and three other Black educators—Fannie W. Fitzgerald, Mary G. Porter, and Maxine Coleman—were selected to integrate previously all-White Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS). With little notice and no public fanfare, they reported to their new assignments the following day. Brown transferred from Antioch-McCrae Elementary to Loch Lomond Elementary, where she taught for much of her 30-year career in PWCS.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg City Council Takes Initial Action on 300th Anniversary Funding

By Potomac Local News
The City of Fredericksburg City Hall building.

The Fredericksburg City Council advanced budget measures on June 23, 2026, to begin operationalizing previously set-aside funds in support of planning for the city’s 300th anniversary in 2028.

Deputy City Manager Mark Whitley presented companion resolutions during the regular meeting. City Council had earlier set aside $250,000 from fund balance for priority #26 — preparations for the tricentennial — but formal appropriation was required to allow the work to proceed. The City of Fredericksburg was established in 1728.

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter: Wrong-Way Crash Injures Trooper, Gun Charge Guilty Plea, Drug Arrests

By Potomac Local News
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

This daily police blotter rounds up the latest reports from local and federal agencies serving the Northern Virginia area.

Detectives have obtained additional charges and arrests in the ongoing investigation into the June 15 shooting death of an 18-year-old man near Peppertree Ln and Pebble Ln in Manassas (20111). On July 10, a 15-year-old male juvenile from Manassas was arrested and charged with felony murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center. Previously arrested were T’Kiyah Serenity French, 19, of Stafford on July 8, and Ja Quad Dyzae Andrews Washington, 20, of Fredericksburg on July 7, along with Austin Wainaina Wyman, all facing related charges including felony murder and conspiracy. The case remains under active investigation. Read the full PWCPD release.

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Weather

Hot & Humid Friday with Afternoon Storm Chances Across NoVA and DC Area

By Potomac Local News

A hot and humid day continues across Northern Virginia, the District, and surrounding areas. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 92°F. Winds will be light and variable, becoming west around 5 mph this afternoon.

There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Stay alert for brief heavy downpours or gusty winds if storms develop.

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Prince William

NOVA Life Wellness Center Opens in Gainesville with Ribbon Cutting Celebration

By Potomac Local News

NOVA Life, a new wellness and recovery center offering science-backed, non-invasive therapies, celebrated its official opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in the Haymarket/Gainesville area of Prince William County.

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Stafford

Historic Cemetery Prompts Deferral of Potomac Creek Campus Data Center Plans in Stafford

By Potomac Local News

A family cemetery on a site in central Stafford has halted progress on a data center development. On July 7, 2026, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 to defer rezoning and conditional use permit applications for the Potomac Creek Campus project pending an archaeological investigation and report.

The deferral includes a time extension to October 31. It followed public comments and board discussion on the need to address the cemetery before land disturbance.

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Manassas Park

Signal Bay Waterpark Reopens Today After Quick Repairs in Manassas Park

By Potomac Local News

Good news for families: Signal Bay Waterpark reopened today, Thursday, July 9, 2026, after completing repairs faster than expected.

Update: “We love sharing good news! Good news! Repairs at the waterpark were completed faster than expected, and we’ll be open today at 11:30 am as scheduled. Thank you for your patience, and we’ll see you at the pool!” — Manassas Park Community Center / Signal Bay Waterpark announcement.

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Weather

Flood Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Risk Expanded Westward for Northern Virginia

By Potomac Local News

The National Weather Service office in Baltimore/Washington has expanded a Flood Watch and Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms westward to cover additional portions of the Shenandoah Valley and the I-81 corridor.

A surface front and a strong shortwave moving from the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys will bring widespread thunderstorm activity to the region through Friday. Ample moisture from a tropical air mass, with precipitable water values of 2 to 2.25 inches, will support heavy rainfall.

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Podcast

Data Centers Blocked in Prince William + Stafford Tax Warning

By Potomac Local News

Prince William County supervisors just delivered a major blow to another massive data center project. On July 7, 2026, the Board unanimously rejected the Dulles South Innovation Center in Gainesville — a proposed 43-million-square-foot industrial data center campus. This comes days after the long-fought Prince William Digital Gateway near the Manassas National Battlefield was also defeated.

In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, Uriah Kiser breaks down what these rejections mean for Northern Virginia residents facing skyrocketing utility costs, traffic, water usage, and loss of rural character. County staff cited infrastructure failures, environmental impacts, and incompatibility with agricultural and hamlet areas. Residents spoke out against noise, pollution, and data centers backing directly onto homes.

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Sponsored

New Advertiser! AI & Data Centers Justice Coalition Launches Virginia Community Listening Sessions on Data Center Impacts

By Potomac Local News

The AI & Data Centers Justice Coalition has launched a multi-state community listening campaign that includes dedicated sessions for Virginia residents concerned about the impacts of data centers.

Data centers are not inevitable — they are chosen. In Virginia and across the country, many are sited in low-income communities and communities of color that often lack the resources and infrastructure to respond effectively.

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