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!

Breaking News

Sprinkler System Prevents Major Damage in Woodbridge Townhouse Fire

By Uriah Kiser

A fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon in a Woodbridge townhouse could have turned into a devastating incident—but thanks to a working sprinkler system, it was largely brought under control before it could spread.

At around 4 p.m. on March 26, 2025, fire and rescue crews were dispatched to the 14700 block of Mason Creek Circle, near Potomac Library on Opitz Boulevard, for reports of a townhouse fire. When units arrived, they found a fire at the rear of a set of double-stacked townhomes, with flames stretching from the ground level up to the attic.

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Breaking News

Crash Closes Portion of Route 610 in Stafford County

By Uriah Kiser

On Thursday afternoon, a single-vehicle crash brought down power lines and shut down a heavily traveled portion of Route 610 (Garrisonville Road).

According to Stafford County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ryan Wilbur, the crash occurred in the 1200 block of Garrisonville Road, between Tech Parkway—near the WaWa gas station—and Joshua Road, by a Tractor Supply store.

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Breaking News

MS-13 Gang Leader Arrested in Prince William County; Officials Say Suspect Tied to East Coast Criminal Activity

By Uriah Kiser
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

While officials provided few details about the suspect — whose name has not been released — U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erick Siebert said the individual was involved in gang-related criminal activity along the East Coast. The arrest is the latest in an ongoing effort to target violent gang members with suspected immigration violations.

“This arrest stems from a task force we launched on March 3, 2025, to identify and apprehend individuals in the country illegally who are involved in criminal enterprises,” said Siebert. “We are using an intelligence-based model to locate and arrest suspects.”

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Manassas

Manassas Council Voices Support for Competitive Teacher Pay Amid Budget Constraints

By Uriah Kiser

Members of the Manassas City Council voiced support for efforts to keep teacher pay competitive with neighboring Prince William County Schools during a joint meeting with the city’s School Board on March 26, 2025—even as the city faces tighter fiscal limitations and a far smaller student population.

The meeting came one day after the School Board adopted its overall budget for the next fiscal year on March 25, which includes $60.9 million in funding for Manassas City Public Schools. While the budget already includes a 5.5% average pay raise for all school employees, School Board members said an additional $1.7 million would allow them to offer a 7% increase—matching the raise announced by Prince William County Schools.

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Press Release

Vacancy Report Reveals Staffing Challenges in Prince William County Government

By Uriah Kiser

Prince William County is grappling with dozens of long-term staff vacancies, prompting concern among officials about recruitment, retention, and the impact on services.

During the county’s first Finance and Budget Committee meeting on Tuesday, David Sinclair, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, delivered a detailed vacancy analysis at the request of the Board of County Supervisors. The analysis focused on county government positions that have remained unfilled for 270 days or more.

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Breaking News

Updated: Deputy Injured in Hit-and-Run on I-95 Released from Hospital

By Uriah Kiser

Updated 10 a.m. – A Stafford County Sheriff’s deputy was injured early Tuesday morning after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 6:15 a.m. on northbound Interstate 95 near the Warrenton Road (Route 17) exit ramp. The deputy, who was operating a department-issued motorcycle, was stationary and stuck in traffic as he exited the interstate when an unidentified vehicle struck him from behind and continued driving.

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Fredericksburg

City, Schools Partner to Expand Recreation Programs for Fredericksburg Residents

By Uriah Kiser
Fredericksburg City Hall

A new agreement between the City of Fredericksburg and its public school system will open school gymnasiums and facilities to the public, expanding access to recreation programs for children, teens, and families.

On Tuesday night, City Council unanimously approved a shared-use agreement with Fredericksburg City Public Schools that gives the Parks, Recreation, and Events Department expanded access to school buildings, including the former Walker-Grant School, now Gladys West Elementary.

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Breaking News

Vice President JD Vance Visits Marines at Quantico, Brings Message from President

By Uriah Kiser
Vice President JD Vance speaks to Marines at Quantico Marine Corps Base. [Photo: Quantico Mayor Kevin Brown]

Vance addressed the delay head-on during his remarks, joking with the crowd and recalling lessons from his time in the Corps.

“That is not Marine Corps time, my friends,” he said. “I remember Gunny Arledge always told me, if you’re five minutes early, you’re 10 minutes late… What does it mean when the Vice President is two hours late? I guess I’m on time, because who the hell is going to get me in trouble, right?”

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News

Stafford Residents Split Over Proposed Tax Hike to Fund $1 Billion County Budget

By Uriah Kiser

Dozens of Stafford County residents packed the chambers Tuesday night during a special-called meeting of the Board of Supervisors to weigh in on the proposed $1.015 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget — and the tax increase that may come with it.

The meeting featured a detailed budget presentation by Chief Financial Officer Andrea Light, followed by a public hearing where residents delivered emotional appeals both for and against the proposed increase in the county’s real estate tax rate.

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Breaking News

Fatal Crash Claims Life of Woodbridge Man

By Uriah Kiser
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

The incident occurred at 11:32 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Citgo gas station at 1320 Old Bridge Road. According to Prince William County Police, a 2014 Toyota Camry exited the fuel pump area toward Gordon Boulevard when it struck a pedestrian near the fuel pump island.

Police say the pedestrian, Jeffrey Wayne Holman, 56, of Woodbridge, fell to the ground and was subsequently run over by the vehicle. Emergency crews from fire and rescue extracted Holman and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday, March 25.

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