Author: Potomac Local News

Neighborhood Notes

Neighborhood Notes: Dumpster Day, Summer Fun, and a Star School Counselor

By Potomac Local News
Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe, peeks out from the forest floor in Prince William Forest Park. Unlike most plants, this pale flower lacks chlorophyll and draws nutrients from underground fungi instead of sunlight. [Photo: Prince William Forest Park]

🎓 Hats off to the Class of 2025!
Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade is celebrating the resilience and achievements of PWCS seniors as they prepare to graduate and step into their futures. She also shared updates on a new bus tracking app, EZ A2B, and honored Neabsco Elementary’s Lydia Larimore as Virginia’s Elementary School Counselor of the Year.
👉 Read Dr. McDade’s full message here

🗑️ Got junk? Prince William’s Dumpster Day is here to help
The Occoquan District Area Cleanup is happening Saturday, June 7 at Bethel Church—bring your unwanted items between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and let Public Works handle the rest.
👉 See what you can dump and learn more

Go to Neighborhood Notes: Dumpster Day, Summer Fun, and a Star School Counselor Read more
Prince William

Manassas Mall Could Get 1,000+ Apartments Under Rezoning Plan

By Potomac Local News
Manassas Mall at 8300 Sudley Road near Manassas.

MANASSAS, Va. – Prince William County leaders will consider a rezoning request on Tuesday, June 3, that could transform the aging Manassas Mall into a new urban-style community with more than 1,000 apartments and tens of thousands of square feet in new commercial space.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to Manassas Mall Could Get 1,000+ Apartments Under Rezoning Plan Read more
Neighborhood Notes

Neighborhood Notes: Pride Month, Graduation Celebrations, and Summer Events Around Town

By Potomac Local News

🌬️ Late May brought a surprising chill
If you felt more like reaching for a hoodie than sunscreen this past weekend, you weren’t alone—temps dipped unusually low for this time of year, catching many off guard.
🧊 Here’s the chilly weekend recap from the National Weather Service

Go to Neighborhood Notes: Pride Month, Graduation Celebrations, and Summer Events Around Town Read more
Manassas Park

Hey Manassas Park! Here’s What’s About to Cost You More (and What’s Not)

By Potomac Local News

💰 The City of Manassas Park just dropped its proposed budget for FY2026, and let’s just say… your water, sewer, and stormwater fees are going up, but there’s a tiny silver lining when it comes to your real estate taxes.

Here’s the scoop in plain language👇

Go to Hey Manassas Park! Here’s What’s About to Cost You More (and What’s Not) Read more
Manassas

Heads Up, Manassas! Your Water, Power, and EMS Bills Are About to Get a Bit Pricier

By Potomac Local News

Starting July 1, 2025, your monthly bills in Manassas will look a little different—mostly upward. The city is planning to raise utility rates and emergency service fees to support its budget for the next fiscal year.

Let’s break it down so you don’t have to squint at a spreadsheet 🧾:

Go to Heads Up, Manassas! Your Water, Power, and EMS Bills Are About to Get a Bit Pricier Read more
Weather

Severe Storms and Tornado Watch in Effect Friday Night

By Potomac Local News

A Tornado Watch is in effect for our area until midnight Friday, with the greatest risk for severe weather between 7 and 10 p.m. along the I-95 corridor. The National Weather Service says a band of intense thunderstorms is expected to move eastward into our region this evening, bringing the possibility of isolated tornadoes, heavy downpours, and gusty winds up to 65 mph. A Flood Watch is also in effect, and while the heaviest rain may fall north of our region, saturated ground means it won’t take much to cause localized flash flooding.

Later tonight, a second round of rain is possible, especially in northern Maryland, as the storm system’s surface low strengthens. Behind the front, blustery winds may continue overnight. Another round of showers and possibly thunderstorms is expected Saturday, though with lower coverage and intensity.

Go to Severe Storms and Tornado Watch in Effect Friday Night Read more
Prince William

Police Blotter: Domestic Violence Suspect Wanted, DUIs and Abductions Across Prince William and Stafford Counties

By Potomac Local News
[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Police are looking for Mainor Dariel Garcia Pacheco, 19, after a domestic dispute turned violent in a Manassas parking lot. On May 28, officers responded to the 7700 block of Keara Court and found that a 33-year-old woman had been assaulted and strangled by an acquaintance. The suspect also took her phone during the altercation. The woman escaped with non-life-threatening injuries. Garcia Pacheco has not been located.

Teen, adult arrested after knife assault in Woodbridge

Go to Police Blotter: Domestic Violence Suspect Wanted, DUIs and Abductions Across Prince William and Stafford Counties Read more
Prince William

Covington-Harper’s First Students Return for Senior Walk

By Potomac Local News

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Covington-Harper Elementary School marked a special milestone this spring as its very first students returned—this time as high school seniors.

The school, which opened in 2017, welcomed back its original group of students for a celebratory “senior walk.” The event, shared by Prince William County Public Schools on Facebook, gave graduating 12th graders a chance to visit their former elementary teachers and inspire younger students.

Go to Covington-Harper’s First Students Return for Senior Walk Read more
Prince William

Beech Trees at Risk in Prince William Forest Park

By Potomac Local News

TRIANGLE, Va. – Rangers at Prince William Forest Park are raising the alarm about Beech Leaf Disease (BLD), which is threatening one of the park’s most common trees.

In a Facebook post, the park reported that American beech trees make up about 20% of its tree population, with saplings accounting for 35%. But many of those are now showing signs of BLD, a disease caused by a tiny worm-like nematode that invades leaf buds. The infection leads to dark striping on the leaves and eventually causes them to shrivel and die—essentially starving the tree. Once infected, trees may die within five years, though older trees may hold on longer.

Go to Beech Trees at Risk in Prince William Forest Park Read more
Prince William

Crisis Center in Woodbridge Set to Open in October—Even with Medicaid Hurdles

By Potomac Local News

Prince William County is on track to open a 24/7 mental health Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) in October 2025, following a years-long effort to expand behavioral health services and despite an ongoing Medicaid reimbursement challenge that has delayed the project.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to Crisis Center in Woodbridge Set to Open in October—Even with Medicaid Hurdles Read more
View More Stories