Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Mulch Fire at Site One Landscape Supply in Nokesville Contained

Published October 27, 2024 at 1:10PM

In the early hours of Sunday, October 27, 2024, emergency units responded to a fire at Site One Landscape Supply Company in the 13200 block of Farmview Road. The call was received at 3:01 a.m., and the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department crews quickly arrived.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a large mulch pile engulfed in flames. According to Assistant Chief Matt Smolsky, the fire has been contained, though it is expected to take several hours before it is completely extinguished.

News

Stafford County DMV Select to Temporarily Close for Renovations

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 26, 2024 at 4:33PM

Stafford County’s DMV Select, housed within the Treasurer’s Office, will temporarily close for renovations starting Monday, October 28, 2024.

While the DMV Select services will be unavailable during this period, the Treasurer’s Office will remain operational and continue to provide regular services such as real estate and property tax collections, dog license fees, permit fees, and utility charges.

Fredericksburg

80 Tons of Asphalt Needed to Repair I-95 After Thursday’s Tractor Trailer Crash

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 26, 2024 at 4:30PM | Updated October 27, 2024 at 8:28PM

A multi-vehicle crash involving at least one tractor-trailer led to significant delays and extensive road repairs on Interstate 95 southbound on Thursday, October 24, near mile marker 108 in Caroline County. The incident, which occurred at 7 a.m., resulted in the closure of all northbound lanes and two southbound lanes between exits 110 (Ladysmith) and 104 (Carmel Church).

Emergency responders and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash, which damaged the pavement. VDOT spokeswoman Kelly Hannon reported that a 150-foot section of I-95’s center and left lanes sustained gouges and burn damage, prompting an urgent need for repairs. Crews milled the top three inches of asphalt from the affected area, using 80 tons of new asphalt and 20 gallons of paint to restore the lanes.

News

Freeze Warning Issued for Sunday Night

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 26, 2024 at 3:52PM

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Sunday night, October 27, as temperatures are expected to plummet into the upper 20s and lower 30s across the region. The cold front that moved through the area earlier this morning brought cooler and drier air, which will persist into the night. Winds will begin to weaken after 3 a.m. Monday morning, with high pressure building over the region, leading to mostly clear skies and light winds.

The freeze warning is a concern for areas where the growing season is still in effect. Residents are urged to take precautions to protect sensitive plants and vegetation.

Poll

Poll: Do You Think the New Osbourn High Policies Will Help?

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 26, 2024 at 3:42PM | Updated October 27, 2024 at 3:48PM

The new principal of Osbourn High School has rolled out a variety of new policies and practices in an effort to increase student performance at Manassas’ only high school.

Share your thoughts with us below!

Fredericksburg

Emergency Repairs Completed on I-95 Southbound After Multi-Vehicle Crash and Road Damage

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 11:34AM

All lanes on Interstate 95 southbound have reopened as of 10:35 p.m., Thursday, October 24, following a multi-vehicle crash involving at least one tractor-trailer and extensive road repairs near mile marker 108 in Caroline County. One person was injured, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The incident began at 7 a.m. when a crash blocked northbound and southbound lanes near mile marker 108. Emergency responders closed all I-95 northbound and two southbound lanes between exits 110 (Ladysmith) and 104 (Carmel Church) as they worked the scene.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Pushes for Urban Tree Canopy Expansion to Preserve Green Spaces

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 11:21AM

A view of Downtown Fredericksburg from above Hurkamp Park [Photo: Fredericksburg City]

Brent Hunsinger, a representative for the organization, spoke on the importance of expanding tree cover in urban areas, stating, “Thank you very much for working with the city on this issue…we feel that this is a very important step so that our lawmakers in Richmond can see that localities care about this as well, not just organizations such as Friends of the Rappahannock, as we work towards expanding that authority potentially down the road to try preserve and expand that urban tree canopy.”

Urban tree canopy initiatives provide numerous benefits, including improved air quality, reduced heat, and enhanced community well-being. These projects are increasingly recognized as essential for building climate resilience in cities, where trees help mitigate the effects of urban heat and contribute to carbon sequestration. With the legislative session approaching in January, Fredericksburg’s request for increased authority to preserve and grow its tree canopy reflects a broader commitment to environmental sustainability.

News

Stafford County School Board Advocates for Legislative Support on Key Education Issues

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 11:14AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

Elected leaders meet at Brooke Point High School on October 17, 2024 to discuss the Stafford County Public Schools legislative agenda. [Photo: Stafford schools]

The School Board’s legislative agenda underscores several issues:

1. Cost-of-Competing Adjustment (COCA): Stafford County receives only 25% of the COCA funding that neighboring Northern Virginia districts enjoy, despite facing similar cost-of-living and market conditions. The Board urged lawmakers to support full COCA funding to help Stafford attract and retain educators, noting a $10,000 average salary gap between teachers in Stafford and nearby districts.

Features

8th Annual Flags for Heroes to Honor Veterans and Local Heroes at Manassas Museum Lawn

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 10:08AM

The Bull Run Rotary Club will host its 8th Annual Flags for Heroes event from November 8 to November 16, 2024, at the Manassas Museum lawn at 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas. This event will feature hundreds of American flags displayed in honor of Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, frontline workers, and Local First Responders who have sacrificed significantly to protect and serve their communities and country.

The opening ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, marking the beginning of this week-long tribute. All proceeds raised through hero sponsorships will benefit the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, a facility dedicated to supporting wounded veterans by providing them a peaceful place to heal and reconnect with their families.

Features

Photos: Occoquan at Halloween

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 9:40AM | Updated October 25, 2024 at 1:27PM

Update from Mayor Earnie Porta:

Join us Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. for our annual family-friendly Halloween Costume Parade and Contest. Meet at the Riverwalk Shops at 125 Mill Street, from which we will begin our parade down Mill Street to River Mill Park. At the park judging will take place for the categories of cutest, scariest, funniest, most original, and family/group. First place winners in each category will receive $25 gift certificates that can be used at select businesses in town. No advance registration is necessary, there is no fee to participate, and this event is open to everyone. (To accommodate the parade Mill Street will be closed briefly on a rolling basis between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m.). For more information go to the Visit Occoquan web site at https://www.visitoccoquanva.com/costumeparade. Hope that you can join us for this popular annual Occoquan event.