Publisher's Post

Hey Everyone, I’m Uriah Kiser, founder and publisher of Potomac Local News.

Graduation season is here, and we have the full schedule for every local high school. We’re also bringing you highlights from student events across our region and breaking news about a significant elementary school boundary change coming to Stafford County in 2026. Here’s what you need to know.


Manassas

MANASSAS, Va. – A bank tenant inside a newly completed data center in Manassas has triggered a sweeping local tax exemption, upending financial expectations and leaving city officials blindsided.

At the April 30, 2025, Manassas City Council meeting, Commissioner of the Revenue Tim Demeria revealed that a tenant inside the new Brickyard data center, operated by Digital Realty Trust, had filed paperwork identifying itself as a bank. Under Virginia Code §58.1-1202, banks are exempt from local Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) taxes and the business personal property taxes that typically bring cities millions in revenue from data centers.


Fredericksburg

If you’re looking to sleep in and still get a stellar meal in downtown Fredericksburg, you’re in luck—local restaurants are serving up some serious Sunday brunch vibes. Whether you’re in the mood for a mimosa, a biscuit loaded with bacon, or something a little more adventurous like salmon ramen, there’s something for everyone this weekend.

At Sunken Well Tavern, the brunch menu reads like a dream. Highlights include the Picanha Steak served with cheesy potatoes and eggs your way, a hearty Country Fried Steak smothered in gravy, and even a seafood-packed Monisco Ramen. They also offer vegan-friendly options like the Chili Crisp Avocado Toast and plenty of creative sides.


Features

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Broadway actor and Fredericksburg native Tug Coker is stepping into one of the most iconic roles in American theater—Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird—as he makes his hometown stage debut at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The production runs May 7 through June 22, 2025.

Adapted from Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is set in 1930s Alabama and follows young siblings Scout and Jem as they navigate childhood under the watchful and moral guidance of their widowed father. The calm of their small town is shattered when Atticus Finch, a respected local attorney, defends a Black man falsely accused of a violent crime. Riverside describes the play as “timeless and lingering,” exploring “prejudice, compassion, and the courage to do what is right.”


Features

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.


Manassas

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.


News

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.


News

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.


Manassas

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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