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!

Prince William

Gas Leak Forces Evacuation of 65 Townhomes in Lake Ridge

By Uriah Kiser
Prince William County's Fire & Rescue System Engine 23. [Courtesy of PWCFRS]

A damaged gas line led to the evacuation of 82 residents from their Lake Ridge homes on Wednesday night. Crews responded just before 9:40 p.m. to the intersection of Oakwood Drive and Catania Place after a 3-inch natural gas pipe was struck during excavation work.

Due to the leak, residents from approximately 65 townhomes were taken to Woodbridge High School for temporary shelter. Most were able to return home or find other accommodations by midnight after Washington Gas secured the leak. However, 32 residents, including two children, required overnight shelter from the Red Cross due to continued loss of heat in their homes.

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Prince William

Occoquan River Dam Siren Test Scheduled for November 18

By Uriah Kiser
Occoquan riverwalk. [Photo: Occoquan Town Government Facebook page]

“Who’s impacted? The impact zone includes areas in Prince William County & Fairfax County located immediately adjacent to the Occoquan River from the Town of Occoquan to Belmont Bay,” the organization added.

The test is part of Fairfax Water’s safety measures for residents, visitors, and businesses along the Occoquan River shoreline. The impact area includes the Town of Occoquan, nearby marinas, Occoquan Regional Park, and river-adjacent homes and businesses.

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Quantico

National Museum of the Marine Corps to Reopen Following Federal Shutdown

By Uriah Kiser

“Our galleries, exhibits, and experiences are ready to welcome you back!” National Museum of the Marine Corps announced. “We can’t wait to see you!”

The museum will reopen to the public on Wednesday, November 13 at 9 a.m., following a federal government shutdown that temporarily closed its galleries.

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Fredericksburg

Downtown Traffic Study Faces Wall of Skepticism, Safety Fears

By Uriah Kiser

Fredericksburg’s long-running push to convert major downtown one-way streets to two-way traffic met its fiercest resistance yet Wednesday night, as residents, commissioners, and former elected officials raised sharp questions about safety data, truck deliveries, and whether the $7.7 million proposal actually solves any downtown problem.

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Features

Riverside Center’s White Christmas Brings the Holiday Spirit Home

By Uriah Kiser
Martha Watson (played by Kathy Halenda), Judy Haynes (played by Sarah Mae Andersen), and Phil Davis (played by Jordan Thomas Burnett) share a festive moment in *Irving Berlin’s White Christmas* at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg. [Suzanne Carr Rossi]

When my wife and I walked into the lobby, the holiday spirit hit us right away. The halls are decked, a big Christmas tree shines in the center, and the sound of carols fills the room. As we sat down to dinner, she looked around and said, “This just feels like Christmas.” And she was right — it did.

If you’ve seen the 1954 movie, you’ll recognize the story. Bob Wallace and Phil Davis are Army buddies turned entertainers who cross paths with the Haynes sisters, Betty and Judy. There’s romance, comedy, and plenty of old-fashioned charm as the two acts head north to put on a show — and maybe fall in love along the way.

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Opinion

Can’t Have Nice Things — or See Them: Manassas Park Locks Down Garage Records

By Uriah Kiser

The city of Manassas Park wants everyone to celebrate its new $35 million Virginia Railway Express parking garage — but it doesn’t want anyone to see what happened inside it just two weeks after the ribbon cutting.

When Potomac Local asked to view photos or reports documenting the vandalism and “donuts” that occurred inside the brand-new garage, the city refused. The Police Department cited an exemption under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), claiming the incident is part of “an active criminal investigation” and that releasing the records would “interfere” with it.

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Traffic

Virginia Launches Nation’s First DMV-Accepted Mobile ID

By Uriah Kiser

“Most of us rely heavily on our phones, which is why Virginians should have access to a safe, secure form of mobile identification on the devices they use all the time,” Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III said. “The Virginia Mobile ID option protects your identity and privacy in the digital age, keeping you in control of what information you share.”

“The Commonwealth has long been a leader in innovation and Virginia Mobile ID is the latest example of how we’re modernizing services for residents,” DMV Commissioner Dr. Gerald Lackey stated. “Over the next few months, we’ll continue expanding mobile ID acceptance with partners, while adding new functionality, such as digital wallet integration.”

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Politics

Doug Ollivant: ‘I Woke Up and Eugene Vindman Was My Congressman — Unacceptable’

By Uriah Kiser

Doug Ollivant, a retired U.S. Army officer and former National Security Council director, has announced his campaign for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District — a politically competitive seat stretching from eastern Prince William County through Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, and west to Culpeper, Greene, and a small slice of Albemarle County.

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Prince William

Vice Chair Andrea Bailey to Host Potomac District Community Town Hall on November 17

By Uriah Kiser
Bailey [Photo: Prince William County Government]

The meeting comes as the Potomac District continues to be at the center of countywide debates, including the proposed data center development behind the Four Seasons retirement community in Dumfries. That project has drawn a federal lawsuit and intense community opposition. Potomac Local News reported that Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson called the lawsuit “an act of intimidation,” underscoring growing tensions around growth and land use decisions in the district.

Those seeking assistance may contact the Potomac District Office at 703-792-4645 or [email protected].

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