Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Prince William Schools Address Book Controversy with New Parental Control System After Parent Challenges Popular Novel

Published September 16, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated September 19, 2024 at 12:29PM

The Prince William County School Board 2024 to 2027. Top left to right: Erica Tredinnick, Justin Wilk, Dr. Babur Lateef, Lisa Zarapur, Tracy Blake. Bottom row: Jennifer Wall, Richard Jessie, Loree Williams. [Photo: Prince William County Public Schools]

While acknowledging that the book is popular and contains a compelling story, Funderberg insisted that its adult content did not add value to the narrative and should not be accessible to young readers in middle school libraries. The Prince William County School Board reviewed the challenge, with both school-based and district-level committees voting to retain the book, limiting it to high school libraries. The superintendent upheld this decision, ensuring the book would remain available only to older students.

As the county continues to face challenges related to the availability of certain books deemed inappropriate by some parents, new initiatives are being rolled out to give parents greater oversight.

Publisher's Post

How We Informed & Empowered Our Community This Week

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 14, 2024 at 9:43AM

Now that the weekend has arrived, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the work we’ve done together this week to keep our community informed, empowered, and connected. Our team has been hard at uncovering stories that matter to you and highlighting the vibrant life in our region.

Here’s a look at some of the top stories we’ve brought to you:

Manassas Park

‘Is she even dead?’ Defense pushes for evidence in Mamta Bhatt case

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 13, 2024 at 3:35PM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 1:41PM

Business

ATCC to Invest $54.7 Million in New Biomanufacturing Facility in Prince William County, Creating 75 Jobs

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 13, 2024 at 2:00PM

Photo: Governor of Virginia Facebook Page

American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) will invest $54.7 million to expand its campus in Prince William County with a new biomanufacturing facility focused on global health.

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Features

‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ to Grace Riverside Theater Stage for Seven Weeks

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 13, 2024 at 10:35AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

Get ready to be transported through the life and music of one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is set to take the stage at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts starting Wednesday, September 18, 2024, for a seven-week run.

News

Double Shooting Investigated in Spotsylvania

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 13, 2024 at 10:04AM

Spotsylvania Sheriff's office responded to a domestic violence report that resulted in an officer shooting.

Spotsylvania County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a shooting that occurred at 9:50 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at a home on W Glen Dower Drive, about three miles from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.

They found an adult male with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and a second victim inside the home with a gunshot wound to an extremity. Detectives believe the estranged adult son arrived at the home and shot his father through the front door. Both were transported to a trauma center, with the son in critical condition and the father in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing.

Manassas

First Fridays Under Scrutiny: Manassas Considers Event Management Changes

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 12, 2024 at 3:15PM | Updated September 16, 2024 at 2:46PM

Manassas City Council

The Manassas City Council is re-evaluating the popular First Fridays event, a staple in the city’s historic downtown, following feedback from residents, businesses, and local authorities regarding public safety and overall event management.

At the heart of the review is the need to balance the community appeal of First Fridays with growing concerns about safety, traffic congestion, and parking. The council is considering changes to ensure the event remains a vibrant part of city life while addressing logistical challenges.

Breaking News

Breaking News: Schools in Manassas and Stafford County on Alert Following Separate Incidents

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 12, 2024 at 1:09PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

Schools across the region are on heightened alert today as police investigate multiple incidents at schools in Manassas and Stafford County. While no immediate danger has been reported, authorities are taking extra precautions to ensure student and staff safety.

Incident at Osbourn High School, Manassas

News

Stafford School Board Chair Addresses Transportation Failures Amid Calls for Independent Investigation

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 12, 2024 at 10:00AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

Stafford County School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund, elected in 2021 to represent the Garrisonville District, spoke with Potomac Local News for the first time since the school division failed to provide transportation to more than 3,000 students at the start of the school year. The transportation issues, which affected about 10% of the student population, left parents struggling to find alternate ways to get their children to school for nearly two weeks.

Siegmund addressed the growing calls for an independent investigation into the transportation breakdown, stating, “We don’t know yet what that [investigation] will look like. The RFQs [Requests for Qualifications] are out, and once we get through that process, we’ll determine what that looks like.” When asked if any personnel changes had been made within the transportation department, Siegmund was unable to provide specifics but emphasized that discussions have been ongoing.

Features

Leadership Prince William Class of 2025 Kicks Off with Passing of the Torch

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 12, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated September 12, 2024 at 8:42PM

Haney

Heather Haney, a participant in the Leadership Prince William Signature Program Class of 2025, shared her journey with the organization, reflecting on how it began with the Emerging Leaders Program. Haney’s involvement in Leadership Prince William started in 2018 after a friend encouraged her to apply.

“I was in a tough headspace at the time, working on launching my own business,” Haney said. “My friend, who was already involved with Leadership Prince William, suggested I give it a try.”