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!

News

State to Purchase Manassas Rail Line to Expand Passenger Service

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Mercury: “The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority has reached a new deal with Norfolk Southern to extend its state-supported Amtrak service to the New River Valley by 2028, while avoiding a costly tunnel upgrade and making it easier to eventually bring service to Bristol.”

“Under the new agreement, which the VPRA’s board of directors approved by a unanimous vote at its meeting in Richmond Tuesday, the state will also purchase Norfolk Southern’s Manassas Line and gain access to the company’s main line, also dubbed the N-Line — a move that is expected to increase passenger rail options for thousands of Virginians.

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Features

A Renewed Mission at Habitat: Prince William Focuses on Repairs and ReStore Revamp

By Uriah Kiser

Habitat for Humanity in Prince William County, under the interim leadership of Steve Liga, is recalibrating its mission to tackle the unique challenges of expensive real estate and a community need for home repairs rather than new builds.

Liga, who stepped in as the interim director, detailed how his experience with other nonprofits led him to this role. He explained his immediate focus on stabilizing the organization’s financial footing and reconnecting with the community after a slow period exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Health

Sentara to Open Virginia’s First Outpatient Cardiac Surgery Center in December 2024

By Uriah Kiser
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical center sits at 2300 Opitz Boulevard in Woodbridge.

In a significant expansion of its healthcare services, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is set to open a state-of-the-art Cardiovascular Ambulatory Surgery Center, slated to begin operations in December 2024.

This center will be the first in Virginia and will focus on outpatient cardiac procedures. This move reflects the shifting trends toward ambulatory (outpatient) care settings in the medical field.

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News

Stafford School Board Addresses Transportation Chaos, Blames Software Issues, Staff Shortages

By Uriah Kiser

In a meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Stafford County School Board members faced a litany of transportation issues that had plagued the district since the beginning of the school year. A beleaguered transportation system left 3,000 children—nearly 10 percent of the student population—without a ride to school.

On Monday, August 12, the first school day for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th-grade students, parents learned that some children would not have bus transportation. All Stafford County students were scheduled to return to classes the following day, and the problems continued, with about 1,000 students still without a bus.

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News

Multiple Homes Struck in Woodbridge Shooting Spree; Suspect Detained

By Uriah Kiser

On August 24, officers responded to multiple residential shootings in Woodbridge, where gunfire struck homes on Yawl Court, Lost Colony Drive, and Minnie Court, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old man, who faces charges including nine counts of attempted aggravated malicious wounding and three counts each of shooting into an occupied dwelling and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, with no reported injuries or additional property damage.

From Prince William police:

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News

Big Mac Attack: Girl Faces Assault and Battery Charges After Demanding Customer Get Up from his Table

By Uriah Kiser
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

An intoxicated woman at McDonald’s on Garrisonville Road in North Stafford assaulted a juvenile after demanding he move from his seat, leading to her arrest on charges of assault and public intoxication, said police.

From the Stafford sheriff’s office:

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Stafford

Stafford County Supervisors Discuss Falmouth Beach Operations and Safety Concerns

By Uriah Kiser

The Stafford Sheriff’s Office was called to Historic Port of Falmouth Beach, 401 River Road, on Saturday, August 24, for a report of a drunken man on the public beach.

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Features

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center Leaders Discuss Prestigious Magnet Certification

By Uriah Kiser
Photo: SNVMC leaders (L – R): Heather Causseaux, Mandy Gensimore, Christy Grabus, Debra Lee, and Jeff Joyner.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has been awarded the prestigious Magnet certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an honor distinguishing it among the top tier of hospitals nationwide.

During a recent interview with Potomac Local News, Jeff Joyner, President of SNVMC, and Christy Grabus, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, they discussed the significance of this recognition. “Magnet certification is not an easy designation to obtain. It involves a rigorous, multi-year process emphasizing a commitment to nursing excellence and the highest quality of care,” explained Grabus.

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Weather

Unhealthy Air Forecast for Northern Virginia

By Uriah Kiser

Press release:

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for tomorrow, August 27 in part of the metropolitan Washington region, including DC and Northern Virginia as well as Suburban DC in Maryland (Prince George’s County and Lower Montgomery County). Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

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