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!
What we’re covering just this week:
– School Boundary Changes: With Stafford County’s high schools set to face unprecedented growth, the school board is taking decisive action on new boundaries that will affect thousands of families.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Fredericksburg City Council is set to vote on a resolution that supports the continued exploration and attraction of data centers to the city, mainly targeting the Celebrate Virginia South area near the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium. This decision follows recent adjustments in Fredericksburg’s tax policies, which align the city’s computer and peripheral tax rates with those in surrounding Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, part of Planning District 16.
According to city documents, efforts to lure data centers to Fredericksburg have been in the works for over a decade. In 2018, the council began publicly discussing the possibility of voting on amendments to the city code to designate data centers as a by-right use in specific zoning areas. Last month, the council unanimously agreed to a reduced tax rate of $1.25 per $100 of assessed value on all computer and peripheral equipment used in data centers, a move mirrored by other surrounding localities.
Today, on Veterans Day, we at Potomac Local News extend our heartfelt gratitude to the veterans of Virginia. We deeply appreciate your service and sacrifices for our country and honor your dedication.
Virginia is home to a vibrant community of over 680,000 veterans, representing 11% of the state’s adult population. Veterans in our state have contributed greatly to our economy and communities, with many involved in vital roles across various industries. Approximately 70% of Virginia veterans are employed, and many leverage the state’s educational and vocational resources to build civilian careers.
Events are one of the main reasons so many readers visit PotomacLocalNews.com daily. Whether checking out the latest news on our homepage or browsing our event calendar, people rely on us to stay informed about what’s happening locally.
With the holiday season approaching, we’re excited to highlight festive events across our area, like Christmastime celebrations in Manassas. You can read today’s post here for details on upcoming parades, tree lightings, and ice skating events: Festive Fun in Manassas.
Following the Tuesday, November 5, 2025, General Election, Manassas Park will see a new mayor and a fresh face on the city council. Democrat Alanna M. Mensing, who ran unopposed, will assume the mayoral role, succeeding outgoing Mayor Jeanette Rishell. Mensing received 83.87% of the vote, marking a significant shift as Rishell, mayor since 2016, did not seek re-election this year.
Mensing, who has been involved in city government, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She has served as Vice Mayor from 2022 to 2024 and has been a city council member since 2019. Additionally, she sits on the Manassas Park Planning Commission and previously served a term on the city’s school board. Outside of her public service, Mensing is a self-employed music teacher, offering lessons to local children and teaching piano at the Manassas Park Community Center from 2015 to 2020. She has resided in Manassas Park since 2009.
The proposed Bristow Campus data center project, slated for consideration by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors on November 19, 2024, has been deferred.
Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir noted that the applicant may have anticipated a lack of support for the project. “I think they know they don’t have the votes,” said Weir. It’s unclear when supervisors may take up the case.
