Author: Potomac Local News

Obituaries

Obituary: Richard “Rick” Dale Swecker (1961-2025)

By Potomac Local News

Rick is survived by his father, Richard Neil Swecker; his children Kristina Swecker, Brandon Swecker (Jeannette), Katherine Colony (Brian), Lisa Little (Jamie) and Emily Stambaugh (Jason); his ten beloved grandchildren; his sisters Leslie Swecker and Evelyn Hood (Ken); many nieces and nephews; long-time friend Michael Williams, and his beloved dog Tessie. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jane Ellen Gear Swecker, and his infant brother, William Edward Swecker.

A viewing will take place at Bliley’s Funeral Home, 6900 Hull Street Road, Richmond, Va., 23224, on December 11, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. Rick will be laid to rest at Brick Church Cemetery in Huttonsville, W.Va., on December 12, 2025, at 1 p.m.

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Prince William

Belmont Bay Residents Mobilize Against Plan for 348 New Townhomes

By Potomac Local News

A proposal to build 348 new townhomes beside the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Woodbridge is drawing intense pushback from environmental groups, civic associations, and residents in Belmont Bay ahead of a key vote this week by the Prince William County Planning Commission.

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Stafford

Dominion to Brief School Board Tuesday on ‘Kraken Loop’ Project as Residents Plan Weekend Coalition Meeting

By Potomac Local News

Dominion Energy will meet with Stafford County Public Schools on Tuesday, December 9, to discuss the utility’s proposed Kraken Loop transmission project—an approximately 500-kilovolt line that could carve a corridor nearly as wide as Interstate 95 through several Stafford neighborhoods, school zones, farms, and environmentally sensitive areas.

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Manassas

Manassas Council to Vote Tonight on 100-Unit Workforce Housing Proposal at Cannon Branch

By Potomac Local News

The Manassas City Council is set to vote tonight on a proposal that would bring a 100-unit apartment building for essential workers to The Landing at Cannon Branch.

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Spotsylvania

Spotsylvania Schools Dismiss Early as VDOT Tracks Changing Road Conditions

By Potomac Local News

Spotsylvania County Public Schools announced a two-hour early release Monday as light snow continued across portions of the region, prompting a full mobilization of Virginia Department of Transportation crews.

The National Weather Service reported that while snow has been breaking apart north of Fredericksburg, it continues to hold together in a band stretching from Harrisonburg to the Fredericksburg area. Higher elevations and the southwestern corner of Spotsylvania County have seen the most persistent snowfall, though warm pavement temperatures kept major routes mostly wet rather than snow-covered.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Police investigate fatal crash on Plank Road

By Potomac Local News

A 32-year-old Spotsylvania man died Friday morning after his SUV crashed into a traffic light pole in Fredericksburg.

Police say the black Ford SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed around 9:36 a.m. on December 5 when it crossed several lanes at the intersection of Plank Road and Gateway Boulevard before striking the pole. The crash is under investigation, with police citing speeding and aggressive driving as potential factors.

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Features

Fredericksburg Parade Magic: A First Livestream and a Community That Showed Up

By Potomac Local News

We had a night full of firsts — my first time live-streaming a parade and my first Fredericksburg Christmas Parade. A huge thank-you to Norton Pelt Law and my friend Jason Pelt for not only hosting us, but also volunteering to build what I’m convinced is the best parade hosting and review platform anywhere. He didn’t have to do it, but he did — and it made all the difference.

I’m also deeply grateful to Kelly Sienkowski for producing and co-hosting the show. Her quick wit and engaging banter elevated the entire broadcast. This parade clearly means so much to the community, and it was an honor to share it with all of you — from those who marched, to the thousands who lined the streets, to everyone who watched and commented from home.

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Features

Watch Live: Fredericksburg Christmas Parade Tonight!

By Potomac Local News

The magic of the holidays is here — and tonight, Potomac Local News will bring you a front-row seat to one of Virginia’s best holiday traditions.

🎄 We’re streaming the 2025 Fredericksburg Christmas Parade LIVE starting at 5:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Downtown Fredericksburg
🎙️ Hosts: Kelly Sienkowski & Uriah Kiser
🏛️ Broadcast Partner: Norton Pelt Law

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Features

YouTube Update: New VRE CEO, Pipe Bomb Suspect Graduated from Local High School

By Potomac Local News

We’ve published a new Potomac Local News video update covering the biggest stories across our region today — including winter weather and school closures, a federal arrest in Woodbridge, a major powerline proposal affecting multiple counties, and big changes coming to Virginia Railway Express.

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Weather

Winter Weather Advisory Tonight as Freezing Rain Threatens Hazardous Travel

By Potomac Local News

A Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect at 7 p.m. Friday, with forecasters warning that light freezing rain, drizzle, and fog may create hazardous travel conditions across Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and portions of Maryland. The advisory remains in place until 1 a.m. Saturday.

Friday’s advisory follows a round of snowfall earlier in the day that brought varying accumulation across Virginia.

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