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!

Publisher's Post

From the Publisher: Submit Your Events and Stay Tuned for Local Lens

By Uriah Kiser

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.

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Manassas Park

New Leadership on the Horizon for Manassas Park

By Uriah Kiser

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.

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Originals

Prince William County School Board Debates Stricter Cell Phone Policy

By Uriah Kiser
Prince William County Schools Superintendent LaTanya McDade. [Courtesy of PWCS on X]

The Prince William County School Board examined its cell phone policy on Wednesday, weighing options for a new approach to managing cell phone use in classrooms.

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Originals

Germanna Community College Expands to Stafford County with New Facilities Supporting Workforce Development and Education

By Uriah Kiser

Germanna Community College (GCC) has expanded its presence in Stafford County with the opening of two new state-of-the-art locations designed to serve local students and support workforce development, including specialized resources for military personnel stationed at Quantico.

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Breaking News

Proposed Bristow Campus Data Center Defers Hearing Amid Community Concerns

By Uriah Kiser

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.

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Fredericksburg

Anderson Concedes Congressional Race, Calls for Unity and Future Focus

By Uriah Kiser

His Democratic opponent, Eugene Vindman, claimed victory on Election Night, securing 50.94% of the vote in Prince William County compared to Anderson’s 48.79%. Prince William, the district’s most populous jurisdiction, played a crucial role in the outcome.

Anderson’s campaign focused heavily on voter outreach across the district, particularly in Prince William County. He noted his efforts to connect with voters in the area, saying his team “did well in Prince William” by visiting locations like Todos and other local businesses to address issues such as rising electricity costs. His strategy resonated strongly in precincts like Colgan and Quantico, where he led with 54.90% and 54.70% of the vote, respectively.

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Prince William

BRISTOW CAMPUS DATA CENTER DECISION LOOMS Amid Community Pushback

By Uriah Kiser

Bristow residents may soon have another massive data center campus as their new neighbor.

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Opinion

Opinion: As Republicans Gain Ground, Manassas Democrats Must Learn to Govern for All

By Uriah Kiser

The 2024 election results for Manassas signal a shift in the city’s political landscape.

While Democratic Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger retained her seat with a notable 56.91% of the vote, Republicans have made meaningful inroads, building on a newfound organizational strength seen across the state as conservatives embraced Virginia’s early voting system in record numbers. In what has become one of the city’s most contentious elections in recent memory, conservatives leveraged social media and new voices, such as the “Until They Kick Us Out” podcast, to rally supporters and draw attention to their causes. The Republican Party’s increased cohesion and visibility hint at a changing dynamic in a city once considered solidly Democratic.

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News

Community Connects at Police Meet-and-Greet in Potomac Mills Mall

By Uriah Kiser

Jennifer Snitselaar, General Manager of Potomac Mills, emphasized the mall’s commitment to being a “center of community” in Woodbridge. “We are a very large tourist destination, and we aim to be a reflection of our community within our doors,” said Snitselaar. “Collaborating with Prince William Police to create a safe and welcoming environment is part of that mission.” The mall’s police substation, a permanent fixture, is another example of the ongoing partnership designed to enhance safety and build community connections.

Parent Lauren Lumley, who lives in Woodbridge with her 13-month-old son, Sawyer, said the event provided an invaluable experience for her child. “I thought it was really important for Sawyer to get to see police officers, so the first time he either needs one or sees one out in the world, it’s not so scary,” Lumley explained.

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News

Dumfries Town Council Election Today: 4 Candidates, 3 Open Seats

By Uriah Kiser

Voters in Dumfries are heading to the polls today to choose three candidates for the Town Council from a slate of four contenders. The candidates include incumbents Brian Fields and Shaun Peet and new challengers Ebony Lofton and Russell Young. The election comes amid ongoing discussions about growth, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life in the town of about 5,000 residents.

Brian Fields, 54, a Dumfries Town Council member seeking his third term, is running on a platform to continue the town’s progress under his tenure. Fields, who has lived in the Dumfries area for over eight years, emphasized his commitment to projects such as the Route 1 widening initiative and the Chronicle Creek restoration. He highlighted how these developments and the construction of new businesses like a Wawa gas station, The Rose Hotel and slots, the largest company to open in Dumfries, will modernize the town.

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