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!

Features

Prince William County Library Goes Viral with Gen Z-Inspired Video

By Uriah Kiser

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A short video created by a team at the county’s Prince William Public Libraries has taken the internet by storm, garnering more than 2.7 million views across social media platforms and capturing the attention of viewers from as far away as California.

At the center of the viral sensation is Gregg Grunow, the branch manager at Bull Run Library, who stars in a 12-line comedic reel written entirely in Gen Z slang. The video’s unexpected popularity has thrust both Grunow and the library system into the social media spotlight.

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Manassas

Manassas Unplugged: Chickens, Teachers, and Bees – A Chat with Lynn Forkell Greene

By Uriah Kiser

What do collective bargaining, backyard chickens, and honey from Liberia House all have in common? They’re just a few of the topics we cover in this fun, freewheeling episode with longtime Manassas advocate and former City Councilwoman Lynn Forkell Greene.

Lynn joins me for a casual conversation about life in Manassas — from serious issues like teacher pay and school board decisions to lighter fare like why everyone suddenly wants chickens in their backyard and how a local honey may have cured her seasonal allergies.

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News

Town Unveils Vision for Dumfries Waterfront District During On-Site Tour

By Uriah Kiser

DUMFRIES, Va. – The Town of Dumfries is one step closer to transforming more than 160 acres of land into a vibrant new district along the Quantico Creek, near the Potomac River.

In a video update shared on Tuesday evening, town leaders toured the newly named Dumfries Waterfront District, formerly known as the Campbell Salvage Yard. The town council purchased the $3.9 million property, located at 17999 Possum Point Road, in January and is currently awaiting final approvals from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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News

Stafford Residents Warn of Overdevelopment as County Pushes for Growth

By Uriah Kiser

STAFFORD, Va. – Concerns over development, infrastructure, education, and environmental protection took center stage at a packed town hall meeting held Tuesday, April 29, at Colonial Forge High School. The meeting brought together Board of Supervisors Chair Deuntay Diggs, Supervisor Tinesha Allen, and School Board members Maureen Siegmund and Maya Guy, who answered questions from roughly 60 residents over two hours.

Residents questioned whether the project would include affordable units for public servants like teachers, nurses, and law enforcement officers. Officials responded that while Attain is aimed at attracting high-end tenants, broader affordable housing efforts are complicated by density limits and a competitive state tax credit system.

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Manassas

Bird Blamed for Power Outage at UVA Prince William Medical Center; Second Manassas Outage in a Week

By Uriah Kiser

MANASSAS, Va. — A bird caused a power outage at UVA Prince William Medical Center on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, marking the second disruption to the city’s electric service in less than a week and raising new questions about the reliability and cost of Manassas’ electric utility.

City officials said the bird came into contact with utility lines near the hospital, damaging a transformer. The hospital, which has three backup power options, quickly switched to an alternate source, restoring power soon after the incident. However, the hospital later experienced a separate internal breaker trip, leaving one building without electricity for a short time.

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Manassas

Residents Weigh In on Tax and Utility Rate Hikes During Manassas Budget Hearings

By Uriah Kiser

MANASSAS, Va. — Residents packed City Hall on Monday, April 28, 2025, to speak out during three public hearings on proposed increases to real estate taxes, personal property taxes, utility rates, and the city’s $174 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026.

The hearings drew a wide range of community voices—from longtime homeowners and renters to teachers and business owners—all responding to a series of proposed hikes that together could significantly raise the cost of living in Manassas.

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Publisher's Post

Discover Our New Date Night Series + This Week’s Romantic Pick

By Uriah Kiser

Hello,

We’re thrilled to introduce our new Date Night Spotlight series — a handpicked guide to the most romantic, independently owned eateries across our region. Whether you’re planning a cozy evening out or celebrating something special, we’re here to help you discover the hidden gems that set the mood just right.

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News

Manassas Tax Hike, Congressional Forum, and Stafford Tensions Lead This Week’sNews

By Uriah Kiser

Manassas residents should prepare to pay more in taxes and utility costs starting July 1.

The city is working to finalize a $327.9 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. While the real estate tax rate would remain at $1.26 per $100 of assessed value, rising property values mean most homeowners will still see higher bills.

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Publisher's Post

Three Small Businesses You Read About Here First — And Why Their Stories Matter

By Uriah Kiser

From Uriah: ICYMI — Three Great New Small Business Stories We Brought You First

I wanted to take a moment to share three stories I’m especially proud of—each one highlighting a new small business that’s adding something special to our local communities:

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