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!
Insidenova.com: Fort Belvoir announced Friday it is limiting access to the Army base in Fairfax County to those with Department of Defense identification, their minor dependents and those with sponsored passes. (more…)
To mitigate the effects of drought, Fauquier County residents, businesses, and government agencies should adopt various water conservation practices, including efficient use of household appliances and mindful irrigation techniques.
Press release:
We’ve got updated information from schools in this post and your forecast.
Rising temperatures and thunderstorms are affecting local activities today. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected after 2 pm. The high temperature will be around 97 degrees, with heat index values reaching up to 107 degrees. Winds will come from the south at 7 to 9 mph. There is a 40% chance of precipitation.
The Quantico Train Station’s new construction will be completed by early 2025 and will feature a pedestrian bridge and extended platforms to improve transit efficiency and safety for the 6,000 daily passengers.
Press release
The Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation has opened voting for its Summer Photo Contest. Residents are encouraged to vote for their favorite photos to help determine the winners in various categories.
Participants can vote for multiple photos within each category but only once per image. To vote, click on the photos you wish to select, indicated by a green check mark in the upper left corner. After making your selections, click the blue Submit button at the bottom of the page.
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will perform at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on August 22. The concert will start at 7 p.m. in the museum’s outdoor plaza.
The band, the premier band of the United States Marine Corps, will play various music. This includes patriotic and martial favorites, selections from the wind band repertoire, works by contemporary composers, and scores from film and theatre.
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Gabriel Rene Ramirez, 22, on August 1 at a Bromley Court home in Lake Ridge reveals that, following a report of suicidal threats and armed behavior, SWAT Team members shot the man who had been barricaded inside a home after he pointed a firearm at officers and nearby townhomes, with only one officer firing a single round, resulting in his death.
Press release:
Prince William County Deputy Chief Jarad Phelps has retired after over 28 years of service. Phelps has been appointed as the Chief of Police for the Jacksonville Police Department in North Carolina.
“Jarad has served the Prince William County community with the utmost distinction for nearly three decades,” said Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham. “I sincerely congratulate him on his second chapter and future success, and I know he will serve the community of Jacksonville with the same compassion and professionalism he has shown here.”
The Occoquan Police Department detailed the incident in a statement: “In the early morning of July 27, 2024, a member of the Occoquan Police Department working a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) impaired driving enforcement grant detail made contact with Matthew B. Lowery of Woodbridge, Virginia. Mr. Lowery, at the time, was operating a motor vehicle upon a highway within the Town of Occoquan. Following the contact, Mr. Lowery was arrested for driving under the influence under 18.2-266 and refusal of a test to determine blood alcohol content under 18.2-168.3. Mr. Lowery was transported to the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, where he was processed and released on a $2,000 bond.”
The police statement continued, noting that Lowery did not identify as a Deputy Commonwealth Attorney during the arrest: “Since that time, the Town Police have learned that Mr. Lowery is a Deputy Commonwealth Attorney for Loudoun County. At no time did Mr. Lowery identify himself as a deputy commonwealth attorney. At the time of the contact and arrest, Mr. Lowery was a private citizen, and this matter is not related to any official misconduct.”
In this episode, I talk with Manassas City School Board member Sara Brescia about the evolving grading policies in the school district. Listeners will learn about the significant post-pandemic changes, including the controversial 50-100 grading scale and removing the 55 minimum grade provision. Sara Brescia provides a deep dive into the rationale behind these changes, the challenges faced, and the pushback from the community.
The conversation also touches on the broader implications of grading policies on student behavior and engagement, the importance of setting deadlines, and the balance between flexibility and accountability in education. Sara shares her vision for the future, emphasizing the need for productive dialogue and the importance of preparing students for the real world.
