Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Stafford breaks ground on $139 million high school

Published October 27, 2023 at 10:07AM

Stafford County Public Schools: “Members of the Stafford County community, to include students, the Stafford County School Board, Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, Stafford County Fire & Rescue Department, Grimm & Parker Architects, and McDonough-Bolyard-Peck (MBP) construction management gathered on Truslow Road yesterday to officially break ground on the construction of High School 6. The new school, set to open in August 2026, is the first construction to address the county’s growing population since 2008.”

“A contract was awarded to Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. in the amount of $139,334,000 for the construction of High School 6 during the September 12, 2023, regular School Board meeting.”

Prince William

Chronic absenteeism, drop-out rates alarm Prince William school officials

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 26, 2023 at 9:18AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:25PM

Insidenova.com: “Prince William County Public Schools made small gains in standardized test scores and other assessment areas last academic year, but key issues persist in specific student groups, county officials told the School Board during its Oct. 18 meeting.”

“Chronic absenteeism, rising drop-out rates and access and achievement gaps for student subgroups are the most persistent and glaring issues across the county, Superintendent LaTanya McDade and other county officials told the board in their State of the Schools 2022-23 presentation.”

Prince William

Prince William court uploads historical, ‘stolen’ deeds to county website

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 26, 2023 at 9:14AM

Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith

Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk: “The Historical Online Portal (HOP) of the Circuit Court Clerk now includes historical deeds recorded before the American Revolution to the early 1900s. Among the deeds available for online inquiry is the Stolen Deed Book-Liber A (Stolen Historical Records Returned to the Prince William County Circuit Court (pwcva.gov).”

“Launched in early 2023, the HOP currently offers access to Deeds, Wills, and Lists of Heirs.”

Prince William

St. Katharine Drexel Mission to open 300-seat church near Haymarket

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2023 at 10:14PM

Work continues on St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church near Haymarket [Photo: Tom Bohacek]

St. Katharine Drexel Mission: “Construction on St. Katharine Drexel Mission’s new church home on the corner of Waterfall Road and Route 15 in Haymarket, VA, is moving forward at an impressive pace since groundbreaking in March. This faith community, originally founded in 2000, plans to celebrate its first Mass in the new church in May 2024.”

“Located in Western Prince William County, St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church will include a 300-seat worship space, sanctuary, altar, tabernacle, and preparation spaces.”

Features

Kings Dominion ends year-round operation after short experiment

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2023 at 9:58PM

The Dominator roller coaster [Photo: Kings Dominion]

“Last year, these three Cedar Fair parks generated quite a buzz when they announced their decision to remain open on weekends during what was formerly their off-season.”

Prince William

Supervisors adopt county’s 1st environmental master plan

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2023 at 9:51PM

Prince William Times: “In a party-line vote, Prince William supervisors approved on Tuesday the county’s first-ever plan that sets goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to sustainable energy.”

“But the board’s three Republicans called it?“hypocritical” that their Democratic counterparts, who hold a 5-3 majority, adopted such a plan while considering a massive expansion of the county’s data center industry. Data centers require an enormous amount of electricity, most of which is supplied by fossil fuels.”

News

Stafford residents have more time to pay personal property taxes

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2023 at 9:39PM | Updated October 25, 2023 at 10:28PM

Stafford County Supervisor Crystal Vanuch: “I have great news… remember a few weeks ago when I said I was introducing a request for more time to pay personal property taxes due in December? Well, it passed our Board 6-1 on Tuesday! They are now penalty-free until January 5, and you will have more time to make those payments.”

“Personal property tax bills go out at the beginning of November. These bills are due December 5th. With the impending government shutdown on top of difficult economic conditions, I think allowing residents an additional 30 days, penalty-free, to pay these bills is necessary. The bills will be penalty-free until January 5th.”

Prince William

Prince William water tastes best in state

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2023 at 11:50AM

Prince William Service Authority: “Prince William County Service Authority employees showcased their skills and expertise at the Virginia Section American Water Works Association (VA AWWA) 33rd Annual Water Distribution Seminar and Utility Rodeo.”

“Held in Roanoke earlier this month, the Utility Rodeo featured contests that tested participants’ skill, speed and safety in the water utility industry.”

Prince William

45 trash cans, 2 tires, car door pulled from Occoquan River

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2023 at 11:45AM

Friends of the Occoquan: “On a cold and windy Saturday morning, eighty volunteers cleaned up the Occoquan River/Reservoir. Collectively, they removed 45 trash and 49 recyclable bags, including two tires, one car door, two pallets, two tarps, one bench seat, one paint bucket, one plastic board, and multiple balls. Three balls were taken home by the children.”

“Volunteer Sheldon Greenberg concentrated on picking up cigarette butts, filling a quarter of a large plastic bag. Cub Scout Pack 1365 came out in full force with 23 members and high school students from several Eastern PWCounty schools, including returning kayakers, SEVTech1 employees, and families with their children.”

Prince William

Children twice as likely to be stuck by car on Halloween

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2023 at 11:40AM

A mask is a simple, but always effective last minute Halloween costume idea. (Photo: Stephanie Tipple/For PotomacLocal.com)

Prince William Fire and Rescue: “Each year, on Halloween night, numerous children are injured or killed. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed, on Halloween, than on any other day of the year.”

“The leading cause of Halloween-related injuries is falls in which children are four times as likely to fall, on Halloween, than on any other night of the year.”