News

A federal lawsuit filed against Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair Deshundra Jefferson At-large is raising alarms among local officials and candidates, who warn it could discourage public dialogue on controversial development projects.

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Stafford

Stafford’s long-delayed Garrison at Stafford project boiled over when developer Robert Pence warned county planners he could scrap promises of townhomes and retail — and instead build 453 apartments by-right.

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Schools

The new elementary schools and Hartwood are part of Stafford’s broader strategy to relieve overcrowding and rebalance school boundaries. In a March 2025 article, Potomac Local noted that the division’s redistricting plan (Scenario Green) aimed to open ES-18 and ES-19 near 95 percent capacity initially, ensuring none exceed capacity in year one. (Potomac Local News)

Key takeaways:


Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Hundreds of University of Mary Washington students connected with potential employers at Thursday’s fall Career and Internship Fair—and many arrived dressed for success thanks to a two-day professional pop-up boutique held earlier in the week.

The boutique, co-hosted by UMW’s Student Activities and Engagement office and the Gwen Hale Resource Center, drew 340 students on Monday and Tuesday. The event offered free professional attire, donated by UMW faculty, staff, and the campus resource center, giving students a chance to suit up ahead of the fair.


Neighborhood Notes

From riverside concerts and veterans celebrations to art shows and investment tools, this roundup features everything happening in your neighborhood this season. Dive into the latest events, performances, and community resources — all in one place.


Schools

STAFFORD, Va. – Two Stafford County schools were locked down over the past week after false alarms triggered emergency systems.

At Mountain View High School and Margaret Brent Elementary on September 19, an alarm set off a precautionary lockdown before deputies confirmed there was no threat. Five days later, Stafford High School went into lockdown twice in one morning after faulty wiring caused its system to activate.


Quantico

QUANTICO, Va. — The National Museum of the Marine Corps says it will open later than usual on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. The announcement, posted to the museum’s Facebook page, notes a noon opening. The museum is normally open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily with free admission and parking.

The delayed opening comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to address a rare gathering of senior military leaders at Marine Corps University on base Tuesday. While the event is closed to the public, Potomac Local is checking whether commuters and visitors should expect heavier gate traffic or temporary changes on roads serving the base and the museum.


Schools

On Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, Stafford Middle School unveiled a mural outside its main office celebrating Andrew “Norfolk” Walker and Rosie Walker, who opened Walker’s Inn in 1941. The inn became known for its music, dancing, baseball games, and Rosie’s chicken sandwiches, drawing visitors from Stafford, Quantico, Fort A.P. Hill, and beyond. The mural, painted by local artist Brenda Edwards, was dedicated during a ceremony inside the school cafeteria.

The event brought together Walker family descendants, who shared memories of growing up around the inn, where “no one ever went hungry.” Students played a central role, interviewing family members beforehand and posing questions during a roundtable discussion.


Prince William

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Less than a day after saying he was open to revisiting a connector tied to the Bi-County Parkway, Gainesville District Supervisor candidate George Stewart is clarifying his position.

In a press release on Friday, Stewart said he would oppose any parkway project that lacks community support. “After the article was published, I heard from residents and elected officials alike who oppose the Bi-County Parkway project… because they’re concerned that it would become a truck route from Dulles Airport to I-95,” Stewart wrote. He noted the route would pass near neighborhoods and four schools, concerns that gave the earlier plan the nickname “Outer Beltway.”


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