Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Prince William County Extends Personal Property Tax Deadline to December 5, 2024

Published September 16, 2024 at 10:30AM

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously voted to extend the payment deadline for personal property taxes from October 7 to December 5, 2024. This new deadline aligns with the due date for real estate taxes. However, as previously scheduled, the Business Tangible Personal Property Tax will remain due on October 7, 2024.

The decision to extend the personal property tax deadline aims to provide relief to residents who would otherwise have to make two substantial tax payments within a short timeframe. Some board members raised concerns about the potential strain on retirees and others living on fixed incomes who might struggle to meet both tax obligations simultaneously.

Publisher's Post

Meet Jazbia, Our Newest Student Intern from Colgan Sr. High School

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 16, 2024 at 9:53AM

Jazbia

We’re thrilled to introduce our new intern, Jazbia Fasih Chaudhry, a 17-year-old senior from Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School in Prince William County.

With a passion for journalism and mechanical engineering, Jazbia is excited to dive into community reporting. Reflecting on why journalism matters, she says, “Community journalism is important because it helps people stay informed about what’s happening in their neighborhoods. It gives a voice to residents and helps build a sense of belonging.”

Manassas Park

Keep the Park Beautiful Volunteers Clear 225 Pounds of Litter in Denver Drive Cleanup

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 16, 2024 at 9:38AM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 1:41PM

Keep the Park Beautiful hosted a street cleanup on Denver Drive in Manassas Park. Ten volunteers, ranging from 12 to 91 years old, collected over 225 pounds of litter in two hours. Volunteers included Keep the Park Committee members and the Vice Queen of the 2023 Manassas Park Latino Festival.

In addition to typical litter like cans and bottles, unusual items such as a bowling ball and an extensive liquor bottle were found. The cleanup extended to surrounding streets, including W. Rugby Drive and Holden Drive. The next cleanup event will occur on October 14 at Scott Drive Pocket Park.

News

Fatal Head-On Collision on Caton Hill Rd: 23-Year-Old Passenger Killed, 2 Seriously Injured

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 16, 2024 at 9:29AM

On September 13, a head-on collision occurred on Caton Hill Road in Lake Ridge when a 2017 Toyota Camry, traveling in the wrong direction, collided with a 2015 Toyota Corolla. The passenger in the Camry, 23-year-old Elvis Gabriel Alvarez of Alexandria, later died at the hospital. Both drivers, a 21-year-old woman from Springfield and a 67-year-old woman from Woodbridge, were seriously injured. Investigators are seeking witnesses to the crash or the Camry’s driving behavior before the incident.

Press release:

News

Shooting at Woodbridge Car Wash Leaves 1 Dead, 2 Arrested

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 16, 2024 at 9:24AM

On September 14, police responded to a shooting at the Sonic Soft Car Wash in Woodbridge, where a verbal altercation between two men escalated into a deadly encounter. Police said 25-year-old suspect shot Earl Duwan Miller, 54, during a physical altercation after both parties briefly separated. A female accomplice also brandished a firearm, police said.

The suspects fled but were apprehended shortly afterward by Virginia State Police. Miller was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Both suspects face multiple charges.

News

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

By Uriah Kiser

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. The expansion will create 75 new jobs and further ATCC’s mission to provide scientists with essential biomaterials for critical life science research. Virginia successfully competed against Maryland to secure the project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, alongside Prince William County, facilitated the deal, with Governor Glenn Youngkin approving an $800,000 grant to support the project. ATCC’s expansion highlights the continued growth of Virginia’s life sciences sector, a vital industry for global health and national security.

Press release:

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.