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!

Manassas

Bridge Repairs Begin on Route 28 as City Prepares to Remove Canceled Bypass from Long-Range Plans

By Uriah Kiser

Drivers should expect delays on Route 28 (Centreville Road) as the Virginia Department of Transportation begins repairs to the bridge over Bull Run, located at the Fairfax County and Prince William County line.

Weather permitting, the work will involve single-lane closures between March 31 and April 24, during daytime hours:

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News

“I’m 84”: Rider Urges VRE to Bring Back Human Touch as Station Gets Facelift

By Uriah Kiser
The Woodbridge VRE station [Photo: VRE]

The project, assigned to Fresh Air Cleaning LLC, encompasses extensive preparation work, including sandblasting and sealing, before repainting. This initiative is part of VRE’s ongoing life-cycle maintenance strategy to uphold and improve its facilities.

During the public comment segment of the March 2025 board meeting, Prince William County resident Alfred Williams, 84, highlighted the challenges senior passengers face when purchasing tickets at the station.

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News

Student of the Week: Rania Lateef, Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist

By Uriah Kiser

Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School senior Rania Lateef is no stranger to hard work and high achievement. As one of just 40 national finalists in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors, Rania has earned her place among the country’s top young scientific minds.

Rania, who also attends the Governor’s School at Innovation Park in Prince William County, was recognized for her research on the effects of disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms—particularly blue light exposure—on mental and physical health outcomes. She presented her project in Washington, D.C., to renowned scientists during a weeklong competition, earning $27,000 and competing for awards totaling $1.8 million.

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Breaking News

Driver Dies in Gainesville Crash

By Uriah Kiser
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

Police said the crash occurred at 9:48 a.m. when a 2019 Toyota Highlander traveling north on Linton Hall Road crossed into the southbound lanes, left the roadway, and struck a guardrail. The vehicle then went down an embankment, became airborne, rolled over, and came to rest on its side in a field.

The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken to a hospital, where she later died.

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Schools

New Schools, New Boundaries: Stafford’s Plan to Relieve Overcrowding

By Uriah Kiser
(File photo)

As Stafford County continues to experience rapid population growth, school officials are moving forward with plans to open two new elementary schools—ES18 and ES19—in Fall 2026. These additions aim to relieve overcrowding in existing schools and are central to the school division’s redistricting plans under Scenario Green, which is currently under public review.

The Stafford County School Board recently reviewed projections showing both ES18 and ES19 will open at 95% capacity. The redistricting scenario ensures no elementary school will exceed 100% capacity in the first year of implementation. By 2030, only three schools are projected to be over capacity.

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Celebrate Spring at the Bluebell Festival

By Uriah Kiser
Bluebells herald the arrival of spring at the Stone Bridge on Bull Run

Looking for a way to connect with nature this spring? Don’t miss the Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm on Sunday, April 7, 2024! This family-friendly event celebrates the beautiful Virginia Bluebells in bloom and features guided tours, live music, local vendors, and fun activities for all ages.

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Pets

Burt and Bunny Still Looking for Their Forever Home at Manassas Animal Adoption Center

By Uriah Kiser

Two lovable bunnies are patiently waiting for their forever families at the Manassas City Animal Adoption Center — and shelter staff can’t believe they haven’t been adopted yet.

Burt, a sweet grey and white bunny, was found as a stray. His buddy, Bunny, a brown and white rabbit, was surrendered by his previous owner at 8 years old, simply because they no longer wanted him.

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News

OmniRide Expansion Marks New Era Following State Law Change

By Uriah Kiser

OmniRide, the public transit agency operated by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), is entering a new era of service expansion thanks to a newly passed state law.

The passage of Senate Bill 1317, unanimously approved by the Virginia General Assembly and currently awaiting the Governor’s signature, officially grants PRTC the authority to expand transit service beyond its founding jurisdictions. The move clears the path for the agency’s recent expansion into Front Royal, in Warren County, marking the first time PRTC has offered service outside its original member localities.

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Fredericksburg

Dominion Energy to Upgrade Aging Power Lines from Fredericksburg to Possum Point

By Uriah Kiser

Dominion Energy is preparing to launch a significant infrastructure upgrade along a key electrical transmission corridor stretching from Fredericksburg to Possum Point in Prince William County.

The project, known as the Fredericksburg-Possum Point 230 kV Electric Transmission Upgrade and Rebuild, aims to replace aging equipment and bolster grid reliability as regional electricity demand grows. The existing infrastructure has served the area for more than five decades and is reaching the end of its service life.

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News

NVTA CEO: $129.7M Route 1 Project in Dumfries is ‘Transformational’; More Funding Opportunities Coming

By Uriah Kiser
Overlooking Dumfries, Virginia [Drone photo/ Uriah Kiser / PLN]

The widening of Route 1 through the heart of Dumfries, backed by a $129.7 million investment from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), is more than a transportation upgrade—it’s a transformative project for the region, said Monica Backmon, CEO of the NVTA.

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