Author: Potomac Local News

Prince William

Dumfries receives $240,000 federal grant to make sidewalks safer and more accessible

By Potomac Local News
Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

Dumfries will use a new $240,000 federal grant to improve sidewalk accessibility and make local streets safer for pedestrians. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the money through its Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which supports efforts to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.

Town officials say the funding will help launch a planning and feasibility project to assess sidewalk conditions throughout Dumfries. The goal is to create a Sidewalk Accessibility and Walkability Action Plan that identifies gaps in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and prioritizes areas for improvement.

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Manassas

Shots Fired at Vehicle in Manassas Leads to Arrest

By Potomac Local News

A Manassas man is facing multiple charges after allegedly firing at an occupied vehicle during a confrontation on Dumfries Road Sunday evening.

Police responded around 5:59 p.m. on January 4 to the 10299 block of Dumfries Road after reports of gunfire. Witnesses gave officers a suspect description, leading to the quick arrest of a 39-year-old man. He was found injured and taken to a hospital before being charged.

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Traffic

VDOT outlines overnight lane closures across Fredericksburg region Jan. 11–17

By Potomac Local News
[Photo: VDOT]

“Alternating single and double lane closures at mile markers 107, 108, 110, and 115 for bridge inspections,” the Virginia Department of Transportation stated, referring to overnight work along Interstate 95 between Exit 104 (Carmel Church) and Exit 118 (Thornburg).

The weekly travel alert details multiple daytime and overnight lane closures across Caroline County, the City of Fredericksburg, and Stafford County. Work includes bridge inspections on I-95, maintenance on the Falmouth Bridge, utility work and road widening on Route 1, and guardrail and median improvements along Routes 3, 17, 17 Business, and Centreport Parkway. Most closures occur overnight or during off-peak daytime hours and are weather dependent.

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Stafford

Stafford wraps up successful first Shop Small Stafford campaign

By Potomac Local News

Stafford County’s first-ever Shop Small Stafford campaign brought out hundreds of residents to support local businesses on Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025. The initiative, organized by the county’s Economic Development Department, combined digital engagement, live events, and local promotions to boost awareness and foot traffic for small businesses across the area.

Fifty local businesses joined the effort, offering in-person and online shopping opportunities as well as participating in a pop-up Shop Small Market at Long Family Markets. Using a centralized Digital Passport system, 320 shoppers checked in at local stores throughout the day, generating 319 estimated transactions and nearly $35,000 in gross receipts. County officials say about $23,775 of that stayed in the local economy.

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Prince William

Prince William County Has Spent $1.6 Million Defending Digital Gateway in Court; Supervisor Seeks Reconsideration

By Potomac Local News
Stewart

“That is a motion that really needs to be split into two separate motions,” InsideNoVa reported. “Basically, the way it is, because of the weight of it, because it was the same [legal] firm – pure and simple, more than anything, it was a mistake to vote that way. It was a mistake on my end to vote that way.”

“As of Dec. 18, 2025, the total funds spent in the [Digital Gateway] rezoning and real estate assessment litigation is $1,663,478.72,” InsideNoVa [reported], citing a county spokeswoman. “These cases are complex and this number includes the costs for the work of attorneys in the outside counsel law firm, expert witnesses, court reporters and transcripts, costs of preparing and filing the appeals briefs, preparation of the extensive legislative record, etc., spanning more than two years.”

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Fredericksburg

Riverside reports banner year after nonprofit shift, cites surge in attendance

By Potomac Local News
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts Director Patrick A'Hearn speaks about the theater's transition to a non-profit corporation.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is riding what its CEO calls the strongest two-year stretch in the venue’s history, buoyed by a fall-and-holiday surge that brought nearly 26,000 people through the doors for two productions alone.

Patrick Ahern, Riverside’s CEO and producing artistic director, shared the figures during a Jan. 5, 2026, appearance on “Town Talk” on NewsTalk 1230 WFVA, a Fredericksburg-area radio program hosted by Ted Schubel.

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Prince William

Dumfries Town Council rejects move to repeal EDA ordinance

By Potomac Local News
Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

The Dumfries Town Council on Jan. 6 voted down an ordinance that would have dissolved the town’s Economic Development Authority, leaving the EDA in place after a closely divided 4-3 vote.

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Manassas Park

Firearms ban now in effect inside Manassas Park city buildings

By Potomac Local News

A new ordinance prohibiting firearms inside Manassas Park city buildings took effect January 1, following months of debate and public pushback over gun restrictions in government spaces.

The ordinance prohibits the possession, carrying, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or firearm components within any building owned or used by the City of Manassas Park for governmental purposes.

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Prince William

Push to rein in Virginia FOIA costs heads back to General Assembly

By Potomac Local News
Roem [Photo courtesy Mike Beaty]

“It’s the same bill, different year,” Virginia Mercury reported. “The entire point of it is to reduce FOIA fees, so that the fees that are being charged are actually being used simply to cover the actual costs associated with pursuing FOIA requests in the first place, instead of being used as a deterrent for the public to not pursue FOIA requests.”

“Public documents are public, your tax dollars have already paid for these documents in the first place,” Roem said. “Therefore, you should have the lowest barrier possible to accessing them.”

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Breaking News

Teen arrested after two men shot during argument in Stafford

By Potomac Local News

Potomac Local News is just learning about a weekend shooting in Stafford County that left two men injured and a teenager in custody.

Deputies were called to the 1300 block of Providence Street around 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. They found a 25-year-old man and a 38-year-old man with gunshot wounds to the leg. Deputies provided first aid until Stafford Fire & Rescue arrived.

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