Author: Uriah Kiser

I'm the Founder and Publisher of Potomac Local News. Raised in Woodbridge, I'm now raising my family in Northern Virginia and care deeply about our community. If you're not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!

Prince William

What Police Found on the Water: Boaters Faced Citations, Arrests, and Safety Checks

By Uriah Kiser

OCCOQUAN, Va. – Boaters across Prince William County saw an increased law enforcement presence on local waterways over the Fourth of July weekend as the Police Department’s Marine Unit took part in “Operation Dry Water,” a national effort to reduce boating under the influence and promote safe water recreation.

The Marine Unit patrolled busy spots including the Occoquan and Potomac rivers, Leesylvania State Park, Lake Jackson, and the Occoquan Reservoir. The Fourth of July is traditionally one of the busiest times on the nation’s waterways, often leading to a spike in boating incidents and fatalities.

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Prince William

Belmont Bay HOA Calls for Permanent Freeze on $100M Flyover as Survey Shows Overwhelming Opposition

By Uriah Kiser

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – The president of the Belmont Bay Homeowners Association says a clear majority of residents oppose a proposed $100 million flyover interchange at the intersection of Richmond Highway (Route 1) and Gordon Boulevard (Route 123).

In a message sent to residents and shared with Potomac Local News, KP Lau, president of the Belmont Bay HOA, detailed the results of two surveys showing overwhelming community opposition to the project.

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Manassas

All Manassas Students Eat Free—But How Long Has That Been the Case?

By Uriah Kiser

MANASSAS, Va. – Families in Manassas may be pleasantly surprised to learn that every student enrolled in Manassas City Public Schools will receive free breakfast and lunch again this school year—but it’s not a new perk.

The school division has been participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) since the 2021–2022 school year, a program that allows schools in low-income areas to serve free meals to all students without collecting household applications. What began during the height of the pandemic has quietly become the new normal for Manassas schools.

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Manassas

VRE Proposes 5% Fare Hike for FY2027 Amid Rising Costs and Slower Ridership Recovery

By Uriah Kiser
A Virginia Railway Express train pulls into the Fredericksburg train station. [Photo: Uriah Kiser/PLN]

The VRE Operations Board is expected to review the proposal in September 2025 as part of the draft FY2027 budget. The plan would trigger a public participation process in fall 2025 before any final vote.

Current Fares and Impact

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Fredericksburg

Dynamic Foot and Ankle Center Celebrates 5 Years in Fredericksburg, 10 Years in Virginia

By Uriah Kiser

The practice is celebrating 10 years of serving patients across Virginia and five years at its Fredericksburg-area office, located on Lafayette Boulevard in Spotsylvania County. Founder Dr. Danielle VonDerLinden shared that her team has helped more than 16,000 patients over the past decade — totaling nearly 60,000 visits. “We think of our mission — exceeding our patients’ expectations when they choose us to be part of their health care team,” she said during the ceremony.

In a Facebook video, Chamber President and CEO Susan Spears praised the clinic for opening its Fredericksburg office in 2020 — during the height of the pandemic — and continuing to grow. “They are doing fantastic work helping our community with all needs, foot and ankle,” she said.

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Fredericksburg

Widening of Route 2/17 in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania Aims to Ease Traffic, Improve Safety by 2029

By Uriah Kiser
Route 2/17 (Dixon Street) near Dixon Park in Fredericksburg, where VDOT plans to widen the road to four lanes and add a shared-use path as part of a $70.6 million improvement project. [Photo: VDOT]

The proposed $70.6 million project would expand Dixon Street (Route 2) and Tidewater Trail (Route 17) from two to four lanes between Dixon Park and Imboden Street, just south of Shannon Airport. Funded through Virginia’s SMART SCALE program and local contributions, the project combines two separate applications from Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania into one construction contract.

What’s included in the project?

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Schools

Three Candidates Enter Garrisonville School Board Race, Promising Parental Voice and Accountability

By Uriah Kiser
Blackwell, Siegmund, Mojica

STAFFORD, Va. – Three candidates are running for the Garrisonville District seat on the Stafford County School Board, setting up a closely watched contest centered on transparency, parent engagement, and education priorities.

Maureen Siegmund, the incumbent and current chairwoman of the School Board, will seek re-election to a second term. She faces a rematch with Wanda Blackwell, who lost to Siegmund in 2021 by just 41 votes, and Stephanie Mojica, a first-time candidate and Stafford County mother of three.

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Manassas

Manassas School Board to Review Jennie Dean Construction, Updated Code of Conduct, and Bullying Prevention Plan

By Uriah Kiser

MANASSAS, Va. – The Manassas City School Board will meet Tuesday, July 22, to review progress on key projects ahead of the new school year, including construction of the new Jennie Dean Elementary School, changes to the division’s Code of Conduct, and strategies to address bullying in schools.

Jennie Dean construction update

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Features

FOX 5’s Zip Trip Returns to Stafford August 15 with Live Broadcast from Embrey Mill

By Uriah Kiser

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.

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Prince William

Prince William Eyes Trail Expansion with New Plans for Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

By Uriah Kiser

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:

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