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!

Stafford

Fire Breaks Out in Stafford Townhouse—5 Displaced, 1 Hospitalized

By Uriah Kiser

STAFFORD, Va. – The folks at Stafford County Fire and Rescue just told Potomac Local News about a townhouse fire that broke out Wednesday evening on Forge Mill Road, near Woodcutters Road.

Crews got there fast—just five minutes after the call came in around 5 p.m.—and found smoke pouring from the third floor of a middle-unit townhouse. Firefighters knocked down the flames quickly while searching the home to make sure everyone was out.

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Schools

Public Rallies Behind Removed Osbourn Football Coach

By Uriah Kiser
Osbourn High School. [Courtesy of Homes.com]

MANASSAS, Va. — Community members packed the Aug. 12 Manassas City School Board meeting to demand the reinstatement of longtime Osbourn High School football coach Mike Johnson, whose employment with the division ended Aug. 8.

The school division confirmed this week that Johnson worked for Manassas City Public Schools from 2007 to 2022, and again from 2023 until last week. His roles included assistant indoor track coach, assistant football coach, and head football coach. He has been replaced by Mel Morgan.

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Features

Free Arts Festival Coming to Manassas This September

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Arts Alive! at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Prince William County]

MANASSAS, Va. – Mark your calendars. Arts Alive!— Prince William County Arts Council’s annual, family-friendly arts festival is coming back to the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Sunday, September 14.

It’s a free, all-day celebration of local talent, featuring live performances, dancing, visual arts, hands-on activities, food, and craft vendors. With multiple stages and dozens of performances—from ballet and choirs to improv and orchestras—there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

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Features

Summer Pool Days Winding Down—Here’s What’s Still Open

By Uriah Kiser

Local pools are scaling back their hours as summer winds down, with most shifting to weekends-only schedules through Labor Day.

Prince William County’s community pools and waterparks are shifting into their late-summer schedules. Birchdale Pool in Dale City will remain open daily (closed Wednesdays) through August 15 before moving to weekends-only through September 1.

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Schools

Stafford Schools Report Smooth First Day for Buses

By Uriah Kiser

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Stafford County Public Schools says its bus system ran smoothly on the first regular day of the 2025–26 school year, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with only minor delays typical of the first week back.

“Overall things are going very well — we are hearing from our principals and our community that they are happy with transportation this year,” said school spokeswoman Sandra Osborn.

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Schools

Youngkin Orders State Police to Investigate Fairfax Schools Over Abortion Allegations

By Uriah Kiser
Gov. Glenn Youngkin talks with voters at National Night Out in Spotsylvania County.

Updated 4:15 p.m. – Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) has called for a full criminal investigation into allegations that Fairfax County Public Schools helped minors get abortions without their parents’ knowledge—and may have used public funds to do it.

The governor’s office announced today that the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now involved. The move follows media reports that school staff may have arranged and paid for multiple student abortions, potentially using state, federal, or local funds.

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Stafford

Still No Arrest in Fatal Hit-and-Run; Two Helped Driver Evade Police

By Uriah Kiser

Stafford County authorities continue their search for 21-year-old Gabriela Alejandra Bonilla Flores, the suspected driver in a fatal hit-and-run earlier this month. Deputies say Flores is avoiding capture after her white Audi Q5 was seized as evidence in the August 5 crash that killed a 36-year-old man walking along Richmond Highway.

Two Stafford residents, Carlos Guevara and Maritza Bonilla Zapata, both 46, have been arrested for helping Flores evade law enforcement, police said. They face charges of obstruction of justice and being principals in the second degree of a hit and run. Both are being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail.

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Prince William

Indecent Exposure at Rippon Middle School Prompts Police Search

By Uriah Kiser
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

 

School workers also reported a similar incident involving the same suspect on July 30, though it was not reported at the time. The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his mid-20s, about 5’7” with a thin build and medium-length shaggy black hair. He was last seen wearing dark clothing, including a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.

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Manassas

Manassas School Year Kicks Off with New Programs, Safety Focus, and Community Spirit

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Manassas City Public Schools]

MANASSAS, Va. – The 2025–26 school year in Manassas opened Tuesday with excitement, new initiatives, and a shared focus on student safety and family engagement.

Several School Board members greeted students at bus stops and school entrances, marking the first day with messages of teamwork and optimism. “Today was more than just the start of a new school calendar, it’s the start of new possibilities,” said Board Chair Suzanne Seaberg. “Let’s make this year one of great learning, great connections, and great memories.”

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Health

Virginia Marketplace Health Plans Could Jump 20% Next Year — One Insurer Wants 40%

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography/Unsplash]

Virginians who buy health insurance on the state’s marketplace could see big premium hikes in 2026, with most insurers proposing average increases of 20% or more — and one requesting twice that.

The State Corporation Commission says 10 insurers plan to sell individual marketplace plans in Virginia next year. Optimum Choice, Inc. has proposed the steepest average increase, 40.2%, according to SCC records. Rates in the small group market, which covers businesses with fewer than 50 workers, could rise an average of 11.2%.

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