STAFFORD, Va. – FOX 5 DC is heading back to Stafford County for another installment of its popular Zip Trip morning show series. The live broadcast will take place on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 7 to 11 a.m. at Embrey Mill Town Center.

The county’s last appearance on the Zip Trip tour was in 2017, when the broadcast aired live from the Jeff Rouse Swim and Sports Center. This year, FOX 5  called Stafford directly, showing continued interest in highlighting the county as a featured destination.

“FOX 5 had interest in Embrey Mill specifically,” said Lisa Logan, Stafford’s Tourism Program Director. The central location offers a perfect mix of open-air community space, local businesses, and easy access, making it an ideal hub for this kind of lively, high-visibility event.

Visitors can expect a festival-like atmosphere, featuring local vendors, open shops, and eateries, as well as opportunities to meet the anchors or appear on live television.

The Zip Trip series is a summer favorite across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region, spotlighting the charm and character of local communities. Stafford hopes this appearance will shine a light on all the county has to offer — from its deep historical roots to its modern-day amenities.

“Stafford hopes to showcase its rich historical heritage, vibrant local businesses, and strong sense of community,” Logan added. The county’s tourism team plans to highlight iconic destinations such as:

• George Washington’s boyhood home at Ferry Farm

• Widewater State Park

• Government Island

• Local breweries and winery

• Diverse dining options

• Nonprofits and unique community stories

“The goal is to showcase Stafford as a dynamic destination that blends history, culture, and modern lifestyle — making it an appealing place to visit, live, and invest in,” said Logan.

This month’s Zip Trip will be the third in a summer-long series. FOX 5 previously visited Occoquan on July 11, transforming Mill Street into a vibrant street fair that featured a surprise live wedding, boutique shopping, and interviews with town leaders. The next stop is Fredericksburg, with a broadcast scheduled for Friday, July 25 at Riverfront Park (713 Sophia Street).

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A federal study aimed at closing major gaps in the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST) is nearing completion, marking a significant step forward in Prince William County’s long-term effort to expand its trail network and connect communities.

The $375,000 study, funded by the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), identifies preferred alignments to close three key gaps in the trail:

• Gap 1: From the Town of Occoquan to Belmont Bay, constrained by an already-built urban environment and the need to cross I-95, Route 1, and CSX rail lines.
• Gap 2: From the Town of Dumfries to Prince William Forest Park, requiring coordination with town development plans and safe passage across I-95.
• Gap 3: From Prince William Forest Park to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, including the challenge of crossing Joplin Road and its busy interchange.

A fourth gap—from the Potomac Shores Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station to Dumfries—was not part of the FLAP study because earlier plans depicted it as a direct on-road connection. However, the county’s 2040 Mobility Plan now calls for a trail alignment through shared-use paths and open space areas within the Potomac Shores development.

Trail advocates say recommendations from the subcommittee reviewing the study will be forwarded to the Prince William Trails and Blueways Council and could shape the final Trails Master Plan, expected to go before the Board of County Supervisors for adoption in January.

Meanwhile, a prominent segment of the PHNST already open to the public—the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk in Woodbridge—offers a model for future trail development. The ¾-mile ADA-accessible boardwalk, which opened in 2019, spans the sensitive wetlands of the Julie J. Metz Wetlands Preserve. The elevated trail, popular with birdwatchers and families, features interpretive signage and observation decks and was designed to minimize environmental impact while improving access to nature.

Despite progress, no funding has yet been secured for designing or building any of the trail segments identified in the study. The next opportunity for funding arises during the county’s FY27 budget cycle, which commences with internal planning in October and public participation in January.

A coalition of trail supporters is encouraging residents to speak up. Last spring, a push to increase trail funding to $5 million in the FY26 budget nearly succeeded, with the Board of County Supervisors retaining $1 million in base funding. Supervisors have signaled they may support a $5 million trail investment in FY27 if public support remains strong.

In addition to the PHNST developments, the Board recently approved a related trail project in Haymarket: a $3 million underpass under Route 15 near Catharpin Creek that will connect the Dominion Valley neighborhood to James Long Park and Battlefield High School. The project replaces a shelved pedestrian bridge proposal and is funded largely by developer contributions.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Fredericksburg planning commissioners are reviewing new recommendations to help revitalize aging commercial shopping centers throughout the city — a strategy officials say is key to shaping the next wave of growth and neighborhood vibrancy.

During a recent Planning Commission meeting, city planning staff and consultants from Rhodeside & Harwell presented the Phase II findings of the Commercial Shopping Center Revitalization Study, which focuses on eight commercial centers and outlines next steps to guide redevelopment in partnership with property owners.

Study Aims to Reimagine Aging Retail Sites

City leaders launched the study in response to long-term concerns over underutilized or declining strip malls and outdated retail centers. Many of these shopping centers — such as Westwood Plaza, Eagle Village, and Greenbrier — have faced increased vacancies and changing retail trends.

“Many of these centers were designed for car-centric shopping in the 1970s and 80s,” said one consultant during the presentation. “The city is now looking at how to encourage walkable, mixed-use redevelopment that better fits today’s community needs.”

The Phase II report provides redevelopment toolkits, visuals illustrating how sites could evolve, and zoning changes to enable greater flexibility for developers interested in blending housing, retail, and office uses. The plan also encourages active transportation connections, stormwater management improvements, and placemaking efforts to make the centers more inviting.

City officials declined our request for an interview for this story, while the developers with an interest in redeveloping city shopping centers did not return our requests for comment.

Commissioners Signal Support but Urge More Detail

Planning commissioners praised the vision behind the revitalization plan, while raising key questions about implementation and engagement with shopping center owners.

“We need to be sure that we are providing the right carrots — and maybe the right sticks — to help these property owners realize that redevelopment is in everyone’s interest,” said Planning Commission Chairman David Durham.

Vice Chair Carey Whitehead emphasized the importance of preserving commercial services that neighborhoods rely on. “It’s not just about bringing in new housing or tearing things down — we have to think about who’s using these places right now and how they fit into the community fabric,” she said.

Commissioners Jane McDonald and Joseph Winterer asked about the next steps in public outreach and how staff would work with landowners to discuss what is feasible. Dugan Caswell, the commission’s secretary, encouraged planners to develop more case studies showing successful redevelopment of aging centers elsewhere in the region.

Spotlight: Greenbrier Shopping Center

Of particular interest was Greenbrier Shopping Center on Route 3. The aging center has been the subject of preliminary redevelopment discussions. During the meeting, staff noted a potential developer had expressed interest in a mixed-use concept, but emphasized that no formal application had been submitted.

Planning commissioners asked if Greenbrier, formerly home to Burlington Coat Factory and Big Lots, could serve as a pilot site for implementing the study’s recommendations. Several said it offered an opportunity to showcase how a traditional shopping center could evolve into a walkable neighborhood hub.

What’s Next

City staff will refine the report based on feedback from the Planning Commission and community stakeholders. A final set of recommendations may be forwarded to the City Council later this year.

Officials said the city is not proposing a specific redevelopment for any of the centers at this time, but aims to prepare a framework that can attract private investment while ensuring redevelopment aligns with community goals.

The Planning Commission is expected to revisit the report in the coming months, possibly in tandem with future zoning updates as part of the city’s broader development code rewrite.

DUMFRIES, Va. – A recent black bear sighting in a residential area near Duke Street has drawn attention to the close relationship between suburban neighborhoods and the expansive wilderness of Prince William Forest Park.

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WOODBRIDGE, Va. – A new walkable community featuring more than 1,000 homes, restaurants, and Prince William County’s first Whole Foods Market is moving closer to reality at one of the region’s busiest intersections.

Over 100 people attended a community meeting at the Prince William County Government Center in Woodbridge on Saturday, July 12, where county officials and developers shared updated timelines and new design details for the Quartz District, a long-planned mixed-use development located at the intersection of Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway. But the project’s future hinges on the construction of a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI)—a first for the county.

“We didn’t expect this turnout,” said Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry to the standing-room only crowd. “But I’m glad you’re here, and I want to make sure we continue having these meetings throughout the project.”

The Interchange: A New Era for Local Infrastructure

Transportation Director Rick Canizales told residents the SPUI design is “90 percent complete” and said the county expects to “award the construction contract in November 2025.” Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with a target completion date of 2027.

“We expect construction to begin late 2025 or early 2026,” Canizales said. “We’re trying to accelerate the timeline and finish by early 2027.”

The SPUI will lower Prince William Parkway beneath Minnieville Road, funneling all left turns and through movements through a single central traffic signal. The design is meant to reduce congestion and support the surrounding development.

A temporary detour road will connect Elm Farm Road to the Parkway during construction and will be removed upon completion of the project. Left-turn movements will be limited at various stages, but pedestrian access will remain open, with crosswalks and potential audible signals in place.

Noise, Speeding, and Resident Concerns

Some residents, especially from nearby Lakeside Townhomes, voiced concern about the lack of a sound wall. Angry responded by acknowledging safety and noise complaints.

“We hear you. There are problems on Minnieville, on the Parkway, Elm Farm, Pennington. We’ve got to do better, and we’re working on ways to slow people down.”

A county sound study concluded that the project would not increase noise levels by more than 3 decibels—below the threshold to require mitigation like a noise wall.

“We’re not ignoring the concerns,” Angry said. “We’ll continue to monitor and explore future mitigation.”

Quartz District: What’s Being Built

The Quartz District includes 1,015 residential units, including 610 townhomes and 405 multifamily units in the form of stacked condos and apartments. There are no single-family detached homes in the project.

“We’re building a walkable community with a mix of housing types,” said developer Russell “Russ” Gestl, Executive Vice President of Buchanan Partners.

Of the total, 90 homes will be income-qualified affordable housing units for residents earning between 60% and 100% of the area’s median income.

“This isn’t Section 8,” Gestl clarified. “We’re targeting working families and individuals who are priced out of the market.”

Whole Foods and Experiential Retail

The commercial portion of the project won’t break ground until the interchange is complete.

“Whole Foods isn’t going to come until the road’s done,” Gestl said. “They’ve made that very clear.”

Confirmed and potential retail tenants include:

• Whole Foods Market (anchor)
• Wawa (signed lease)
• Shake Shack
• Tatte Bakery & Café
• Great American Restaurants (the firm that opened Sweetwater Tavern, Coastal Flats, and Mike’s American)

“We’re focused on experiential retail,” said Gestl. “No big box, no discount stores.”

There will be no residential-over-retail; the commercial and residential components are distinct but walkable.

Public Benefits and Civic Commitments

The project sets aside:

• 19 acres for a public park or school site
• 7+ acres of preserved open space
• A stormwater management pond that will also serve as a community feature

Sidewalks will be built along Elm Farm Road and extended into surrounding communities where funding permits.

Gestl said Buchanan Partners has contributed over $3 million to the interchange’s design and has acquired nearby parcels to ease construction impacts.

“We’ve committed to updating the community through 2030,” Gestl said. “Every civic association involved in this process will stay in the loop.”

Background: How Quartz District Was Approved

Potomac Local News first reported on the Quartz District in February 2022 when it appeared in the Dale City Small Area Plan. The Prince William Planning Commission later recommended approval of the rezoning.

On October 18, 2022, the project went before the Board of County Supervisors, and on October 20, the Board unanimously approved the rezoning of 145 acres for the Quartz District. That decision cleared the way for over 1,000 homes, nearly 375,000 square feet of office and retail space, and the county’s long-awaited first Whole Foods Market.

Since then, the project has moved into engineering, site preparation, and early residential construction phases, all while awaiting full funding and design finalization for the interchange.

The full buildout of the Quartz District is expected to continue into the early 2030s, with commercial construction beginning after the interchange opens.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Gestl said. “We want to do this right and make it something the county can be proud of.”

STAFFORD, Va. – About 50 drivers gathered outside Genesis Logistics in Stafford County on Wednesday afternoon to demand better pay, safer working conditions, and progress on a long-awaited union contract.

Chanting “Who are we? Teamsters!” and holding signs reading “Craving Respect Not Convenience,” drivers rallied outside the second entrance of the warehouse on Bradburn Place. The demonstration, which began around 1 p.m., was organized by Teamsters Local 322 as a “practice picket” to pressure the company into finalizing a contract.

Genesis Logistics, a subsidiary of DHL Supply Chain, delivers goods to 7-Eleven stores across the Mid-Atlantic. Drivers say they voted to unionize earlier this year by an overwhelming margin but claim contract negotiations have stalled. Last week, union members authorized a strike.

“We’re working more hours now than ever, and the pay hasn’t kept up,” said Derrick Quinn, 55, of Woodbridge. “This is about respect and being compensated fairly for the job we do.”

Quinn, who’s worked at Genesis for nearly two years, said drivers often cover long routes—sometimes as far as Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia—starting in the evening and working into the early morning hours. He described the current pay structure as “route-based” but said that heavier workloads and longer hours have outpaced compensation.

“At one point, most of us made around $360 a day. Now some are down to $260,” he said. “We want to start at $360 again and go up from there.”

Quinn also alleged that when drivers began discussing unionizing, the company brought in “union busters” to discourage organizing efforts.

As of 1:30 p.m., the protest remained peaceful, with passing drivers honking in support. Protesters said they were prepared to escalate if necessary.

“We’re just not going to take it anymore,” Quinn said. “We’re standing up for what we believe.”

Potomac Local News has reached out to Genesis Logistics for comment and will update this story with any response.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – At first glance, it looked like a typical hospital simulation: blinking mannequins, beeping monitors, and focused students practicing CPR and drawing blood. But for 14-year-old students like those in the room at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, it was a first glimpse into what a future career in medicine might look like.

Sixteen rising 8th and 9th graders from Prince William County Public Schools spent a week at the hospital as part of the Sentara Healthcare Career Camp, a free summer program designed to expose youth to the wide array of healthcare professions beyond just doctors and nurses.

“A lot of young people, when they think of a career in medicine… they think, oh, yeah, there’s a doctor and there’s a nurse,” said Jon Radulovic, spokesman for the hospital. “But in actuality, there are careers that span the whole hospital.”

Throughout the week, students rotated through departments such as imaging, respiratory care, surgery, heart and vascular, and pharmacy. In the simulation lab, they practiced drawing blood from prosthetic arms, learned how to detect stroke symptoms, and suited up in full PPE to learn about infection prevention.

“The coolest thing is they have a simulation lab, and they have these mannequins that are really realistic,” said 14-year-old Afomia Asfaw, who will attend Osbourn Park High School in the fall. “One of the mannequins, they blinked, and I got scared.”

The students came from schools across the county, including Rippon Middle School, Marsteller Middle School, and Potomac High School. Many were drawn to the program by personal experiences with family in the medical field.

“My mom had a stroke,” said 13-year-old Christopher Brown II, a rising eighth grader at Marsteller Middle School. “So I wanted to learn more about the medical field and how to look for stuff at home, like symptoms of different sicknesses.”

Lorraine Gyamfi, 13, who also attended Rippon Middle School and is headed to Osbourn Park, said her sister’s experience inspired her in the school’s biomedical program.

“Originally, I just always wanted to be a doctor because it’s very interesting, like how the hospital works and stuff like that,” she said. “That made me want to go there, and also for the nursing program later on in high school.”

The camp was first launched at Sentara hospitals in 2023 in response to a growing concern about the shortage of healthcare workers following the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second summer the program has been hosted in Woodbridge, part of a broader effort to encourage students—especially those who may have limited exposure to the healthcare system—to consider careers in science, technology, and medicine.

“We’re looking down the road—by 2036, there are going to be millions of vacancies for healthcare providers,” said Radulovic. “Who’s going to be taking care of us when we’re going to need a lot of that care?”

Each day started with breakfast in the hospital’s conference center, followed by a full day of learning and exploration. By Friday afternoon, students were ready to present what they had learned during a graduation ceremony with their families.

For Aleah Cody, 14, who’s headed to Potomac High School, the week opened her eyes to the many options available in medicine.

“I know I want to do something in the medical field,” she said. “Right now, I think anesthesiology is what I want to do, but I’m still deciding.”

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Prince William Public Libraries is inviting residents to help shape the future of their local libraries by completing a short survey open now through July 31, 2025.

The survey includes just eight questions—four multiple-choice and four open-ended—and takes less than three minutes to complete. It’s available in English and Spanish, both online at pwcva.gov/library and on paper at all 12 library branches and the Mobile Library.

Library officials say the questions are tied to the system’s Strategic Plan and cover topics like collections, programs, public spaces, and the overall user experience. Feedback from last year’s survey led to tangible changes, including an expanded World Language Collection, more classic titles, and improvements to the PWPL mobile app.

The library received 900 survey responses in 2024 and hopes to exceed 1,000 this year. Two weeks into July, they had already surpassed last year’s total online. To boost participation, the library simplified the questions and is offering a choice of a free pin or sticker to anyone who completes the survey. This year’s pin is inspired by a viral Gen-Z-themed video featuring library staff member Gregg Grunow.

The survey is one of the library’s most important tools for ensuring its services and spaces meet community needs. It supports PWPL’s goals around accessibility, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Established in 1965, Prince William Public Libraries serves more than 480,000 residents across Prince William County and Manassas. The system comprises 12 branches and a Mobile Library, providing access to print and digital collections, public computers, makerspaces, genealogy resources, and programming suitable for all ages. Learn more at pwcva.gov/library.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Summer is in full swing, but Signal Bay Waterpark remains closed as crews work to complete long-overdue upgrades to one of the city’s most beloved attractions.

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MANASSAS, Va. – Manassas Olive Oil Company celebrated a significant milestone on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark its 10th anniversary in Historic Downtown Manassas.

The event, held at 4 p.m. on July 11, 2025, welcomed customers, community members, and local officials to the shop at 9406 Grant Avenue. Attendees were treated to celebratory snacks, including cheese and crackers, brownies, and other goodies as part of a weekend-long event honoring the store’s decade of business.

In addition to the in-store festivities, the shop offered a 10% discount on all products from Friday through Sunday, both in-store and online. The automatic discount gave longtime fans and new customers a chance to stock up on a wide selection of fresh olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars sourced from around the world.

Manassas Olive Oil Company first opened its doors in 2014. Since then, it has become a staple in the downtown business community, known for its tasting gallery that features more than 40 varieties of oils and vinegars, along with gourmet goods like crackers, cheese, honey, spice blends, and handmade pottery.

The business also offers private group tastings for up to 20 people and encourages walk-in tastings during normal business hours, which are Tuesday through Sunday.

For more information, visit manassasoliveoil.com.