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!

Stafford

Stafford County Schools Adjust Calendar for April 21 Special Election on Congressional Redistricting

By Uriah Kiser
Kindergarten students get off the bus at Park Ridge Elementary School on "transition day," Monday, August 11, 2025. [Photo: Stafford County Public Schools]

In a letter sent to families, Superintendent Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D., explained that the Stafford County Board of Elections designated 22 schools as polling sites for the statewide special election, prompting the need to swap instructional days.

The superintendent noted that the division learned only recently that the election would proceed as planned, limiting the ability to provide earlier notice.

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Business

Business Leaders Invited to Manassas Reception

By Uriah Kiser
[Courtesy of the City of Manassas]

The “Jive After Five Networking Reception” is scheduled for April 23, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street in downtown Manassas. The event will bring together chamber members, business leaders, and entrepreneurs for an evening of networking and collaboration.

According to the Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the gathering marks the chamber’s formal expansion into Manassas and Prince William County. The organization says the move is aimed at strengthening business connections and promoting economic opportunities across the region.

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Schools

Student Makes Farm Bureau History

By Uriah Kiser
Ringer

A Brentsville District High School senior has become the first high school student in the nation to serve as chair of a county Farm Bureau committee, according to Prince William County Public Schools.

Hunter Ringer, president of the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, was selected to lead the Prince William-Fairfax Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee after the position was left vacant for the year. Farm Bureau President Stephanie Cornnell proposed Ringer for the role after noticing his leadership and dedication to agricultural education.

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Stafford

Your Water Bill Could Rise: Stafford Advances Rate Increases While Data Centers Help Pay for New Pipes

By Uriah Kiser

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized advertising public hearings on March 3, 2026, for proposed adjustments to water, sewer, and reclaimed water rates, including new fees designed to recover costs from data center-related infrastructure while introducing equity measures for commercial users.

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Business

Salvation Army Relocates to Woodbridge Shopping Center

By Uriah Kiser

The Salvation Army has successfully relocated its thrift store from its former site in Gordon Plaza to a prominent new space at Woodbridge Shopping Center, strengthening its presence in the community.

The new location spans 19,000 square feet and occupies a highly visible corner position at the intersection of Route 1 and Occoquan Road—only two blocks from the previous Gordon Plaza address.

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Features

Paws for Healing: SNVMC’s Therapy Dog Program Grows to Five, Bringing Comfort to Patients and Staff

By Uriah Kiser

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has expanded its therapy dog program from one to five certified therapy dogs over the past year. The program provides comfort and emotional support to patients, families, and team members throughout the hospital.

National research indicates that therapy dog visits in hospitals reduce patient anxiety by an average of 34 percent during short interactions.

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Prince William

Virginia Health Department Partially Lifts Potomac River Advisory

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that it is partially lifting a recreational water advisory for the Potomac River, effective immediately.

The change applies to the stretch from the Route 120 Chain Bridge to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301) in King George County, which includes key local areas in Woodbridge and Stafford. This development comes after weeks of monitoring following a major sewage spill upstream, providing relief to residents and businesses reliant on the river for recreation.

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Manassas

Police seek details, video after man, 19 killed in fiery I-66 crash

By Uriah Kiser

Virginia State Police are continuing their investigation into a fatal single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 19-year-old Bristow resident on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and are asking for the public’s assistance.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:10 p.m. when a 2013 Toyota Corolla, traveling at a high rate of speed, entered the eastbound Interstate 66 rest area near the 49-mile marker (close to Bull Run Drive and the Manassas area). The vehicle struck the rear of a legally parked 2024 Kenworth 310 tractor-trailer and burst into flames upon impact.

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Stafford

Sudden Closure of Concerted Care Group’s Stafford Clinic Leaves Patients Scrambling for Services

By Uriah Kiser

The Concerted Care Group (CCG) clinic in Stafford County, a key provider of opioid addiction treatment and behavioral health services, has abruptly closed its doors, according to a tip received by Potomac Local News today. Photos provided by the tipster show a permanent closure notice posted on the facility’s entrance, effective as of February 13, 2026, just weeks ago.

The clinic, located at 282 Deacon Road, Suite 107, in the Woodlawn Shopping Center, served residents in Stafford County and surrounding areas with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders, including methadone dispensing, as well as mental health support.

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Stafford

Virginia’s Unfunded Mandates Drive Stafford’s Proposed 6-Cent Real Estate Tax Increase, Officials Say

By Uriah Kiser

On March 3, 2026, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 to advertise a real estate tax rate of $0.985 per $100 of assessed value for calendar year 2026 — an increase of six cents from the current $0.9236 rate — plus a modest rise in the fire and emergency services levy to $0.014 from $0.0131.

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