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!

Features

Special Olympics Virginia Announces Return of Annual Polar Plunge Events

By Uriah Kiser
Polar plungers take a dip in the Potomac River at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. [Photo: Mike Beaty]

Ready to chill out for a great cause? Special Olympics Virginia’s annual Polar Plunge events are back, and it’s time to make a splash! Registration is now OPEN for the coolest, most exhilarating event series in the state. Get your swimsuit ready (and maybe some warm towels) because this year’s plunges are bigger, bolder and even more fun!

From the icy shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the frigid waters of lakes and pools statewide, thousands of brave participants will jump into freezing waters – all for the incredible athletes of Special Olympics Virginia. Whether you’re a first-time plunger or a seasoned veteran, this is your chance to be FREEZIN’ FOR A REASON!

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News

Prince William County Supervisors Approve New Positions for Commonwealth Attorney’s Office Amid Funding Challenges

By Uriah Kiser
Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth (Photo: Mike Beaty)

In a meeting on October 8, 2024, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved funding for new positions in the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, addressing the office’s need for additional resources to handle an increasing caseload. The positions include four new attorney roles: paralegal, victim-witness staff, and administrative staff. Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth emphasized the importance of these positions for the efficiency and effectiveness of the county’s criminal justice system.

The new hires come after Ashworth said she would withhold prosecution of certain misdemeanor charges, effective May 1, 2024, if county leaders don’t give her more employees.

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Features

RACSB Partners with Altruix Pharmacy to Expand Access to Medication for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

By Uriah Kiser

The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) has announced a new partnership with Altruix Pharmacy to improve access to medication for individuals with behavioral health concerns and developmental disabilities. The collaboration aims to overcome barriers that prevent individuals from taking their prescribed medications, such as transportation, time, and cost.

Joe Wickens, executive director of RACSB, highlighted the importance of this partnership: “The individuals we serve have unique needs. Altruix focuses on behavioral healthcare and developmental disability services, giving them valuable expertise. The pharmacy team will provide tailored care to the people we serve and offer a valuable resource to our employees.”

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Fredericksburg

Promote Your Event for FREE on Potomac Local News

By Uriah Kiser
Manassas St. Patricks Day Parade on March 11, 2023 [Photo: Mike Beaty]

Simply submit your event through our quick and easy form to get it in front of thousands of local readers. Events posted on our calendar can also be featured in our weekly newsletters, reaching an even broader audience across Prince William County, Stafford, Manassas, and Fredericksburg.

Want even more exposure? You can upgrade to a paid promotion that guarantees your event will be highlighted in multiple news emails and showcased on our homepage for 14 days — giving your event the spotlight it deserves!

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News

Stafford Funeral Home Donates Refrigerated Trailer to Aid North Carolina Towns Hit by Hurricane Helene

By Uriah Kiser
Flood-ravaged Swannanoa, N.C. [Submitted photo]

The trailer, purchased initially during the coronavirus pandemic, was donated after a call between Gibbs and Tyler Puckett, Harwood Homes Funeral Home operator. The funeral home in Black Mountain, just five miles from the equally devastated town of Swannanoa, found itself in desperate need of body storage as the death toll rose. “We just wanted to help out in any way we can,” said Gibbs, who sent the trailer that arrived in flood-ravaged North Carolina on Friday, October 4. The trailer, worth $30,000, arrived that evening and is currently stationed at Puckett’s cemetery near his funeral home.

In addition to the trailer, Gibbs called on the community to contribute non-perishable foods, blankets, and other essential supplies for the affected area. NAPA Auto Parts in Stafford also donated a battery for the trailer, which runs on diesel and has built-in shelves to accommodate the increasing number of victims.

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News

Gainesville Man Pleads Guilty to Diverting $12M from Air Force Contract

By Uriah Kiser

From The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia:

Two executives at a contractor for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) pled guilty to theft of government property after diverting over $12 million from an Air Force contract to pay for unrelated personal and business expenses.

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News

Prince William County Election Office Clarifies Voting Myths Ahead of November Election

By Uriah Kiser
Olsen

From Eric Olsen, Director of Elections, Prince William County Office of Elections:

Early Voting expands to all six locations across Prince William County starting on Sunday, October 13. Prince William County has the most weekend voting options and all satellite voting locations are open longer than any county in Virginia. Alternatively, you can apply for a mail ballot until October 25 at 5 pm. If you miss these options, you can still cast your ballot on Election Day on Tuesday, November 5 at your assigned polling place. Go to pwcvotes.org for locations, hours, and more.

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Prince William

Plan to Curb Street Panhandling with Jobs Program Faces Roadblocks, Board Defers Vote

By Uriah Kiser

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors met on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, to discuss a proposal to address the risks associated with street panhandling by offering employment opportunities to those begging on busy streets.

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News

Emergency Bridge Repair in Stafford to Take 10 Days

By Uriah Kiser

Route 1 northbound in Stafford County will be reduced to a single lane for emergency bridge repairs at Accokeek Creek starting around 9 p.m. tonight.

Crews will repair a bridge rail and section of guardrail damaged on Sunday, Oct. 6, when a tractor-trailer struck the bridge. The bridge over Accokeek Creek is located between the intersections with Route 628 (American Legion Road/Eskimo Hill Road) and South Campus Boulevard. The crash damaged around 41 feet of bridge rail, including six posts, and around 220 feet of guardrail.

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Features

Upcoming Film Screening in Lake Ridge: Local Filmmaker Showcases Fredericksburg in New Film “Written by Mike”

By Uriah Kiser
"Written by Mike"

Water’s End Brewery in Lake Ridge is set to host a special screening of “Written by Mike,” a film shot in the heart of Virginia that captures the essence of Fredericksburg and its surrounding locales. The screening is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, at 8:30 p.m. at the brewery’s Dillingham Square location in Lake Ridge.

Directed by Richmond-based filmmaker Ryan Cudahy, the film paints an intimate portrait of two couples navigating the tumultuous waters of family trauma and personal illness. “Written by Mike” is more than a narrative; it’s a therapeutic journey through the eyes of its creator. “I wrote this film as a way to deal with my own experiences with mental health and family,” Cudahy explains. “It was a healing process that took over five years to refine.”

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