Tax hike incoming for Manassas homeowners
Manassas residents can expect to pay about 7% more on their real estate tax bills after the City Council passed a $512 million budget.
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Woodbridge woman charged after deadly crash
A 32-year-old woman faces involuntary manslaughter charges following a January crash on Minnieville Road that killed a 64-year-old man.
Get the full story on the charges and investigation

New elementary school coming to Potomac Shores
Prince William County Schools awarded a $55 million contract to build a new elementary school set to open in 2027 near Potomac Shores.
Check out where and when the new school is being built

Free meals for kids in Stafford this summer
Stafford County Public Schools are joining the Summer Food Service Program to ensure children can access free meals while school is out.
Find out when and where your child can eat for free

Drone Camp lands in Dumfries!
Students in grades 8–12 can join a free, one-day STEM camp to build, fly, and explore the exciting world of drones.
Learn more and sign up before spots fill up

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William County leaders are facing mounting pressure to address noise generated by data centers, as residents—many from the Great Oak subdivision—delivered passionate testimony during the Board of County Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

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STAFFORD, Va. – Residents living near a proposed data center site in Stafford County are raising alarms about logging activity they say violates local zoning laws, environmental protections, and community trust.

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MANASSAS PARK, Va. – The Manassas Park Governing Body has signaled support for a balanced approach to the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that includes modest property tax relief and gradual increases in utility rates aimed at long-term sustainability.

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TRIANGLE, Va. – A rusted WWII-era tank gun barrel, likely left behind by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during secretive wartime training exercises, has been recovered from a remote section of Prince William Forest Park.

Interpretive Park Ranger Melissa Weih said the discovery was made in an archaeological site deep in the woods, in an area once used by the OSS — the forerunner to today’s CIA — during World War II. While the exact location is being kept confidential to protect the historical site, Weih confirmed it’s a low-traffic, off-trail part of the park where old training grounds still exist.

Weih believes the barrel, now part of the park’s museum collection, was likely left behind during the OSS’s time at the park from 1942 to 1945. “We actually have archival footage of them training in that area,” she said in an interview. “It used to be an open field, but now it’s completely forested.”

Weighing more than 400 pounds, the heavily rusted barrel had been known to park staff for some time, but its removal required significant coordination. It is currently being cleaned and preserved, with hopes that it can eventually be displayed to the public — though its size and weight present a challenge.

This find adds to the park’s growing collection of OSS-era artifacts, which already includes missile tail sections and other remnants on display at the visitor center. Weih noted that the park consulted experts at Marine Corps Base Quantico, who confirmed the barrel poses no explosive risk due to the amount of soil lodged inside.

The artifact offers new opportunities to deepen the park’s interpretation of its wartime history. “People are really fascinated by the OSS,” said Weih. “Learning more about the tools they used and what training looked like gives us a more complete picture beyond what’s in the archives.”

Tragic discovery near Tyson’s Galleria
Police pulled the body of a Gainesville man from a pond near Tysons Galleria Tuesday morning, following a 911 call from a witness.
Read the latest on this developing story

Campground proposal clears big hurdle
Developers of the White Oak campground in Stafford County are celebrating after county leaders voted in favor of their plans despite strong opposition from nearby residents.
Check out what’s next for the project

Officer injured in I-95 crash expected to recover
A Prince William County police officer remains hospitalized after a semi-truck slammed into cruisers during a drug-related traffic stop near Quantico, injuring five people.
Get the full story on this serious crash

Stafford County takes legal action over clear cutting
Stafford County is asking a judge to stop timbering in the Hartwood district, arguing the land clearing violates zoning laws and proffers requiring tree preservation.
Read how the county is stepping in

Swirlie’s makes the next round—let’s keep it going!
Swirlie’s Soft Serve in Manassas is onto round two of the Northern Virginia ice cream wars, and they need your help to keep the votes coming!
Click here to vote on June 11

STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County’s drinking water met or exceeded all state and federal health standards in 2024, according to the county’s latest Water Quality Report. The report outlines how the county’s two primary water treatment facilities — Smith Lake and Lake Mooney — together delivered more than 4.2 billion gallons of water to customers in 2023.

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Join us for an in-depth, inspiring conversation with Mayor Derrick Wood of the Town of Dumfries, Virginia’s oldest continuously chartered town. Hosted by Uriah Kiser, publisher of Potomac Local News, this live podcast dives deep into the major transformations reshaping the town—making it a destination rather than a drive-through.

📌 Topics We Cover:

🏗️ Major development projects, including the closure and transformation of the landfill into The Rose Gaming Resort

🏞️ The town’s ambitious plans to reclaim and revitalize the Quantico Creek waterfront

🚧 Progress on the Route 1 (Fraley Boulevard) widening project, paving the way for a new Main Street

🍽️ What’s inside The Rose: Restaurants, off-track betting, and Dumfries’ own fine dining 1609 Steakhouse

🏨 Upcoming hotels, convention space, and community growth

🦅 A vision for ecotourism, vocational learning, and reconnecting Dumfries residents with their historic roots

🚀 The economic boom: 500+ jobs, millions in new revenue, and the potential return of iconic establishments like Tim’s Rivershore

✨ Whether you’re a Dumfries resident, local history buff, or someone interested in smart town development, this conversation is a must-watch!

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Sharon L. Bassarab (Age 80)

Sharon Louise Henderson Bassarab, 80 of Orchard Park, entered into rest on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in her home. She was born on October 8, 1944 in Houston, Texas to the late James and Shirley Ward Henderson. Beloved wife of the late Joseph James Bassarab; devoted mother of Laurisa (Mark) Goergen and the late Erik Graybill; stepmother of Joanne Smith and James Bassarab and one daughter-in-law, Kristy Graybill; cherished grandmother of Andrea Goergen, David Goergen, Katrina Goergen, Vanessa Goergen, Hayden Graybill, Tiffany (Mark) Bowers, Daniel (Robyn) Hayzlett, Joshua (Aaris) Hayzlett, Connor Smith, Jenifer (Jonathon) Griffith, Hanah Bassarab, and Emma Bassarab; adored great grandmother of Devon Goergen, Makenzie Bowers, Logan Bowers, Makayla Hayzlett, Madison Hayzlett, Haley Hayzlett, Hannah Hayzlett, Kyleigh Hayzlett, Evie Griffin, Allie Griffin, Gabriel Griffin, and Michael Griffin; dear sister of Linda (Stephen) Jenkins, Candy Henderson, and Kim Henderson and three sisters-in-law, Margaret (Frank) Grabiec, Wilma (Peter) Stevens and Linda (Walter) Bassarab; also loved by numerous nieces and nephews.

Sharon graduated from Fremont High School in Fremont, Nebraska. She studied business at Alvin Community College in Alvin, TX and was a licensed Real Estate person. Sharon was an executive assistant contractor at the Defense Advanced Research Development Agency in Arlington, Virginia. Sharon was loved by so many of those around her; family, friends and co-workers.

She was devoted to her large family. She regularly called and texted, engaging with friends and family members throughout the day. She always took time to send birthday, anniversary and special occasion cards. She will be remembered for the many Christmas ornaments and other presents she gave to family and friends. She was a generous and caring person. Her social media posts were alive with photos and discussions of her loved ones.

Her funeral was held at the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Southtowns Chapel) 3060 Abbott Rd. near Lake Ave. on Friday (June 6) from 1-3:30 p.m.

A celebration of life will be held July 31, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. It will be followed by burial at The National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico, 18424 Joplin Rd Triangle, VA 22172.

The following memorial events are planned.

Celebration of Life

Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 11 am-12 pm

Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel at the National Museum of the Marine Corps
1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, Virginia, 22172

Burial

Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 1 pm-2 pm

The National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico
18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, Virginia, 22172

HAYMARKET, Va. – The Haymarket-Gainesville Kiwanis Club has proposed installing a Little Free Library in the town park near the bulletin board, a plan shared during the Haymarket Town Council work session on May 27, 2025.

Carl Davis and Terry Flight, representing the Kiwanis Club, introduced the idea to councilmembers as part of the club’s mission to support literacy and education in the community. “We’re just starting and we want to start with Haymarket,” said Flight, noting that the club is just two and a half years old. “Our focus is on children and families, health and nutrition, education and literacy, and youth leadership development.”

The proposed Little Free Library would feature a structure two levels high and two books deep to maximize book capacity. Built with durable materials like PVC to minimize maintenance, the library would be designed and constructed by Scout Troop 1882, which the club sponsors. The build may also qualify as an Eagle Scout project.

“The Kiwanis Club will fund the project and handle the ongoing maintenance,” Flight explained. “We’ll regularly check and restock the books. It says ‘take a book, leave a book,’ but mostly they just take.”

To ensure proper installation and safety, the club requested that a town staff member or licensed contractor complete the physical installation. “We don’t want the Boy Scouts to install it. We’d prefer a qualified town employee or a class A contractor to ensure it’s done to standard and avoids any liability,” Flight added.

Councilmembers expressed strong support for the initiative. One member, who works in children’s literacy, praised the idea: “I love the idea of getting books into any child’s hands.” Council and town staff agreed the park is a suitable and visible location, especially with its regular use by local families and children.

Emily Kyriazi, the town manager, noted that the town already has a small Little Free Library near the museum, which is frequently used. She said the park location would serve as a complementary addition and recommended installing it near the existing bulletin board. She also confirmed that the proposed installation could proceed under administrative approval, avoiding the need for review by the Architectural Review Board, as long as it follows the town’s preferred color scheme.

Flight noted that the project could be completed in mid-to-late fall 2025, given the Scouts’ current summer commitments.

The Council concluded the discussion by agreeing to allow town staff to work directly with the Kiwanis Club to finalize the details and move the project forward.