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!

Press Release

Police blotter: Father, Son Drown in River; Indecent Exposures and Assaults Reported Across Region

By Uriah Kiser
[Courtesy of Northern Virginia Police Cars via Instagram]

A spring break outing turned tragic when a father and his 6-year-old son drowned in the Rappahannock River in Spotsylvania County.

Danny Sumner and his young son went to a boat landing off Legacy Lane on Saturday, March 22, sometime before 5 p.m. They were reported missing when they didn’t return home by 9:45 p.m. Deputies responding to the scene found Sumner’s vehicle and cell phone near the dock. Shortly after the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office Dive Team entered the water, they recovered both victims.

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Publisher's Post

Burger Hoax, Puppy Yoga, and Community Conversations: This Week’s Local Buzz

By Uriah Kiser

Welcome back, and welcome aboard!

We’re excited to welcome back Whitlock Wealth as one of our featured advertisers. You’ll see their Instant Ad on our site and in our newsletters—offering timely financial advice and practical tips to help you build a more secure future.

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Business

Buc-ee’s Submits Plans for 120-Pump Travel Center in Stafford County

By Uriah Kiser

The Texas-based travel center giant Buc-ee’s is moving ahead with plans to build its first Virginia location in Stafford County. It has submitted formal requests to rezone nearly 35 acres of land to pave the way for a massive fuel and retail complex off Interstate 95.

The proposed Buc-ee’s would sit near the intersection of Courthouse Road (Route 630) and Austin Ridge Drive, just east west of I-95 Exit 140. Plans submitted to the county show a 74,000-square-foot convenience store and gas station with 120 fuel pumps, 24 future EV charging stations, and dozens of bus/RV parking spaces.

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Press Release

Prince William County Honors Dispatchers During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

By Uriah Kiser
Surdam

Prince William County’s emergency dispatchers—often referred to as the “first” first responders—are being recognized for their behind-the-scenes heroism during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 14–20, 2025.

During its April 1 meeting, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors passed a proclamation honoring the county’s public safety telecommunicators for their dedication to the community. Supervisor Victor Angry (Neabsco District) introduced the resolution, which Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson read aloud.

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Features

Egg-citing Spring Adventure: Stafford’s Blue and Terrence’s Egg Venture Returns

By Uriah Kiser

Families and adventure seekers in Stafford County can gear up for a fun-filled outdoor experience this spring as Blue and Terrence’s Excellent Egg Venture returns for another year. The event, which kicked off on April 1, 2025, encourages participants to explore local parks and tourism sites while hunting for hidden eggs and earning prizes.

“We created Blue and Terrence’s Excellent Egg Venture as a way to highlight our parks, get families outdoors, and bring more visitors to Stafford,” said Lisa Logan, Tourism Program Director for Stafford County. “Last year, we launched it in just two weeks, and we received so much positive feedback that we’ve spent this entire year making it even better.”

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News

Haymarket Regional Food Pantry Celebrates 20 Years of Serving the Community Amid Growing Need

By Uriah Kiser

From a single closet shared by two churches to a bustling community lifeline helping tens of thousands annually, the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year — and its mission is more critical than ever.

Since its founding, the pantry has assisted more than 500,000 people, thanks to the support of 10,000 donors and an army of volunteers. What began as a small operation by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Haymarket has become a vital resource for families facing hunger across western Prince William County.

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Manassas

Councilmember Vasquez Luna Pushes for Higher Business Tax Rate, Council Decides to Hold Off — For Now

By Uriah Kiser
Vásquez Luna

A push by Councilmember Sonia Vasquez Luna to raise the business computer equipment tax rate met resistance Monday night, as the Manassas City Council instead chose to maintain the current rate of $2.15 per $100 of assessed value.

Vasquez Luna proposed aligning the computer equipment tax, data center tax, and personal property tax (vehicles) at a uniform $3.50 rate, saying it would offer consistency and potentially allow the city to reduce the tax burden on vehicle owners.

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News

Meet Dr. Daniel W. Smith — Listening, Learning, and Leading Stafford County Schools Forward

By Uriah Kiser
Smith

When Dr. Daniel W. Smith started his new role as Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools on December 9, 2024, he didn’t come in with plans to make sweeping changes overnight. Instead, he saw an opportunity to listen.

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Press Release

VDOT to Close Rock Hill Church Road Overnight for Pipe Replacement in Stafford County

By Uriah Kiser

The closure will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday and last through 6 a.m. Monday, April 7. VDOT crews will replace a drainage pipe underneath the roadway during this time. Drivers will be detoured along a 10-mile route using Route 610 (Garrisonville Road), Route 643 (Joshua Road), and Route 627 (Mountain View Road).

Once the road reopens early Monday morning, crews will return to the site at 9 a.m. to apply new asphalt. One-way, alternating traffic will be directed through the area during the paving work, with a flagging crew managing the flow of vehicles.

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