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

Don’t move the board: Fredericksburg uses unique snow measurement technique

By Uriah Kiser
Fredericksburg officials use plywood to measure snowfall and report measurements to the National Weather Service.

Fredericksburg Battalion Chief Jack McGovern revealed an unconventional yet effective method employed by the city to measure snow accumulation. If you come across plywood adorned with orange markings in specific locations, rest assured that it’s not a random installation but a crucial part of reporting snow data to the National Weather Service.

These snow measuring boards, currently numbering four, were utilized during the recent snow event and have been strategically placed at Walker Grant Middle School, Dixon Park, Memorial Park, and the Ballfields/Community Garden across from Wicklow Drive.

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News

Do you agree with the U.S. ban on funny highway signs?

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: VDOT]

“The Federal Highway Administration’s new rules for the road manual says highway signs should be simple, direct and avoid wording “intended to be humorous,” Axios’ Shauneen Miranda reports. States have two years to comply with the rules, reports Karri Peifer at Axios Richmond. “VDOT started using “themed messages” in April 2017, according to an agency report, and has given Virginians highway sign gems like Wakanda Driver are you? Safety is King. Awwww Snap! Your Seat Belt! Get Your Head out of Your Apps.”

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Politics

Virginia Democrats uphold ban on gas-powered vehicles by 2035

By Uriah Kiser

“One of the bills to watch for Virginia’s 2024 legislative session — legislation that would have repealed the 2021 law tying the commonwealth’s vehicle emissions standards to California’s — died in a Senate committee this week,” reports Morgan Sweeney at The Center Square. “Senate Republicans attempted to persuade the committee not only of the infeasibility of California’s electric vehicle laws for Virginia due to EVs’ higher price tags, mechanical flaws and lack of demand, but of the injustice of allowing California’s policies to dictate Virginia’s.”

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Prince William

Occoquan community supports 8 displaced by apartment fire

By Uriah Kiser

Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta: “Understanding that in a community like Occoquan we are all neighbors, many of you have inquired about how you might support those impacted by the fire [that displaced eight people] at 116 Washington Street in Occoquan. After considering the best means of offering support and consultation with some of those affected, Occoquan Town Council Member Eliot Perkins has taken the lead in establishing a GoFundMe page to raise money for those affected. All proceeds will be distributed evenly among the 6 housing units impacted by the fire.”

“If you would like to contribute please go to gofund.me/c4cc641a. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.”

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News

Poll: Nearly $300,000 later, is your life better now that Route 1 is renamed?

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Prince William County Government]

Jurisdictions in our region spent a cumulative $280,000 to rename Route 1, formerly Jefferson Davis Highway. Fredericksburg spent $90,000, followed by Stafford County with a $51,500 investment, and Prince William County contributing the most at $137,800.

Legislation HB2075, pushed by Delegate Joshua Cole (D-65, Fredericksburg, Stafford) and signed by then Gov. Ralph Northam (D) in 2o21, ruled that “any section of U.S. Route 1 in Virginia that is designated as the ‘Jefferson Davis Highway’ shall on the effective date of this act be designated and shall hereafter be known as the “Emancipation Highway” as of January 1, 2022.

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Traffic

Purple streetlights frustrate residents, councilwoman

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash]

Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis recently addressed the issue of replacing purple-colored streetlights in the city.

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