Breaking News

Stafford County Public Schools to open two hours late Monday due to road conditions

“Due to current road conditions in some areas of the county, Stafford Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay schedule on Monday, December 15, 2025,” Stafford County Public Schools announced. “This delay allows for safer travel conditions in the morning while preserving instructional time for our students.”


Politics

The Prince William County Democratic Committee and the Stafford Democratic Committee will hold an unassembled caucus on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, to select the Democratic nominee for the 23rd District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Voting will take place from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations: the Dumfries Community Center, 17757 Main St. in Prince William County, and Porter Branch Library, Room 3, 2001 Parkway Blvd. in Stafford County.


Fredericksburg

As Fredericksburg leaders debate the future of data center development, longtime local observer and former city councilor Matt Kelly says the conversation is about more than land use or tax revenue. It’s about how decisions are made — and whether residents are being fully informed along the way.

Kelly shared his views during a recent interview with Potomac Local News, recorded in the wake of the Fredericksburg Planning Commission’s unanimous rejection of the proposed Gateway Data Center.


Prince William

Data center growth emerged as a key point of tension during a joint legislative meeting between Prince William County officials, School Board members, and state lawmakers held on December 3, 2025, as leaders weighed the economic benefits of the industry against growing concerns over energy capacity, land use, and community impact.

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Weather

The Fredericksburg region narrowly missed out on a Winter Weather Advisory as a fast-moving band of snow targets portions of northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and central to northeastern Maryland late Saturday into Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The advisory, issued by the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, is in effect from midnight Saturday night through 10 a.m. Sunday for areas north of Fredericksburg, including much of the Interstate 95 corridor closer to Washington and Baltimore. Forecast snowfall totals in those areas range from 1 to 3 inches, with localized totals of 4 to 5 inches possible in far northeastern Maryland.


Quantico

“Please note overnight training operations,” Marine Corps Base Quantico announced. “Louder than usual noise this day.”

“Marine Corps Base Quantico operates 43 live-fire ranges that support training from small arms to explosive demolitions to artillery fire to the delivery of live-aerial munitions,” the installation stated. “Because training on Quantico is continuous, residents can expect to always hear some noise or feel vibrations.”


Fredericksburg

The man wanted for the rape of a child under 13 in a cold case reported earlier this month has been arrested. Authorities say he is now in custody and being held without bond.

Fredericksburg Police thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in apprehending the suspect, who was initially reported missing and known to frequent downtown Fredericksburg and the Spotsylvania Towne Centre.


Manassas

“Families and community members are invited to review the proposed materials online or attend one of our in-person review sessions,” the school division stated. “Your feedback helps us select high-quality math resources for all learners.”

Manassas City Public Schools is evaluating new instructional materials for kindergarten through 12th-grade math courses. Community members can review the materials online or sign up for in-person review sessions before the public comment period closes on January 23.


Features

The ribbon cutting for the Riverfront Park Ice Rink will now take place on Thursday, December 18, 2025, following a recent postponement.

The Riverfront Park Ice Rink is part of Fredericksburg Main Street’s holiday programming in Downtown Fredericksburg. The seasonal attraction features an eco-friendly synthetic skating surface designed for skaters of all ages, with skate rentals included in ticket prices.


Politics

“I won the First District and the Second District in November without any sort of redistricting,” Virginia Scope reported. Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger said in response to questions about redrawing Virginia’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms. “Nothing happens unless the people actually vote for it,” she added, underscoring that any change would require voter approval.

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