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!
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for much of the region. Strong winds are expected to develop Sunday morning and persist through Monday, with wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph in some areas.
The warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, with the strongest gusts anticipated in the afternoon and evening. Wind speeds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected. These high winds could cause downed trees and power lines, leading to widespread power outages. Residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid windows, and secure outdoor objects.
Just before 7:40 p.m. on February 15, Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) units rushed to a structure fire at a home on Deene Court near Choptank Road. Crews arrived in under five minutes, finding smoke pouring from the front of the single-family residence and heavy flames engulfing the attic and basement on the side and rear of the home.
Firefighters swiftly contained the blaze, bringing it under control within 15 minutes. While searching the home, they rescued two cats, successfully reviving them before returning them to their owners.
Looking for live music and great food? Head to Farm Brew Live on Discovery Boulevard near Manassas on Sunday, February 16, from noon to 3:30 p.m. for an unforgettable performance indoors at the PourHouse at 2 Silos. Enjoy small bites and live music from Mackenzie Roark, a Richmond-based musician who’s played stages all along the East Coast.
Mackenzie started her musical journey in a middle school praise band and has since honed her craft through performances in bars, restaurants, breweries, festivals, and major venues from Charleston to New York City. Don’t miss this chance to hear her play!
Meet Brita, a stunning tri-ticked beauty who is still waiting for her perfect family at the Spotsylvania Animal Shelter. At two years old, Brita is a gentle soul who has tested well with other dogs and would likely thrive in a home with a canine companion.
Brita’s ideal adopter will have patience and love to help her build confidence in the outside world. While she appears to do well around cats, she will require a secure fenced-in yard or leash walks only, as she is still learning to navigate new surroundings. The shelter environment can be overwhelming, and Brita may settle more comfortably into a loving home.
North Stafford High School has launched an initiative, Reclaim Souls, to tackle chronic absenteeism through personal outreach. Teachers made over 300 phone calls and conducted over 100 home visits to encourage students with excessive absences to return to school. The school also introduced an attendance recovery program, offering after-school sessions three times a week for students to catch up on missed work.
Principal Dr. Dashan Turner emphasized the importance of daily attendance for academic success and student safety. The initiative includes outreach to Hispanic families, positive reinforcement strategies, and plans to expand multilingual communication efforts. Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith praised the program as a model for other schools.
A two-story home on Waterford Drive in Manassas was engulfed in flames Friday evening, prompting a multi-agency response from area fire and rescue teams.
The Manassas Fire and Rescue Department reported that units were dispatched to the 10200 block of Waterford Drive around 5 p.m. on February 14, 2025, after multiple 911 callers reported a house fire. Upon arrival, crews found heavy flames shooting through the roof of the single-family home.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew B. Lowery appeared Feb. 14 before retired Judge Charles B. Foley in Prince William County General District Court in Manassas. Foley, who was serving as a visiting judge, dismissed charges of driving while intoxicated and refusing to take a blood or breath test.
