Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Driver flown to hospital after struck by train

Published October 4, 2023 at 9:35AM | Updated November 25, 2024 at 1:23PM

Virginia State Police: “Virginia State Police is investigating a crash involving a train in Stafford County. The crash occurred Sunday (Oct. 1), at 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 658 (Brent Point Rd) and Route 633 (Arkendale Rd).”

“A 2020 Toyota RAV4 was traveling east on Route 658 when it inadvertently turned onto a private section of train tracks. As the Toyota attempted to turn around and exit the tracks it was struck by a southbound Amtrak train. The railroad crossing arms descended as the Toyota attempted to exit the tracks.”

Prince William

Prince William GOP chairman resigns after son charged with raping child

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 4, 2023 at 8:06AM | Updated October 4, 2023 at 2:29PM

Prince William County Republican Committee Chairman Denny Daugherty resigned on Tuesday, October 2, 2023, after Prince William police charged his son with rape.

Daugherty led the committee since 2022. Vice Chairman Jacob Mosser is now chairman, said Virginia Republican Party Chairman Richard Anderson.

Prince William

Call to Action: Food demand increases 26%

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 3, 2023 at 7:00AM

(Left to right) Erin Tooley, Ryan Walker, and Jessica Root, House of Mercy employees, sort items at the Manassas thrift store and food pantry. The combined donation from NOVEC and NOVEC HELPS paid for diapers for more than 300 low-income families. [Submitted Photo by Ashley Arnold]

Greetings, Prince William – NVFS SERVE campus is conducting a Fall Food Drive to stock the shelves at their Hunger Resource Center in Manassas. The demand for food has increased 26% and will probably get higher as we move into Fall, so your support is crucial! Volunteers age 16+ are needed to assist with unloading, sorting and organizing food October 20-27 at Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas 20110. Be prepared to lift up to 25 pounds and be OK standing for the duration of a shift. You’ll feel great knowing you’re helping ensure SERVE can meet the increased needs of its client families during the holiday season! Please register at http://fallfooddrive.nvfs.volunteerhub.com/, email Navara at [email protected] with any questions. Want to donate to the food drive? Please visit www.nvfs.org/support/fall-food-drive/ for more information.

If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.

News

Train vs. car in Stafford County

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 10:08AM | Updated October 4, 2023 at 9:33AM

Virginia State Police are investigating a crash involving a car and a train.

The crash occurred about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, October 1, 2023, in the Arkendale area of Stafford County, near Widewater State Park.

Prince William

Prince William firefighters to celebrate International Walk to School Day

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 10:03AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:25PM

Prince William County fire and rescue: “Firefighters of the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System will join students, from selective schools around the county to celebrate International Walk to School Day. Although the official event occurs on Wednesday, October 4th, Prince William County schools will be extending the activity throughout the month known as “Walktober.”

“The Walk to School Day/Walktober event will begin at various times, corresponding with the school’s opening. Students, along with parents and community leaders, will walk from meeting points along the walker’s route. Walkers at some schools will be joined by Fire & Rescue personnel as they exit the buses and enter the schools for the day. The event raises awareness of the need to create safer routes for our children when walking and biking. In addition, it emphasizes important issues as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. International Walk to School Day is a global event involving communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day.”

Prince William

New Woodbridge area high school, Potomac Shores area elementary school delayed until 2027

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:50AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:25PM

(Photo: Prince William County Public Schools)

Prince William Times: “Two new Prince William County schools — a high school in Woodbridge and an elementary school in Potomac Shores — that are coincidentally planned near sites once considered by the Washington Commanders for a new stadium, will be delayed by more than a year and are now slated to open in 2027.”

“But the possible future stadium was not a factor in the delays, according to School Board Chairman Babur Lateef and a school division spokeswoman.”

Politics

Brentsville supervisor candidate was convicted of tax fraud two decades ago. He still calls the IRS ‘terrorists.’

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:48AM

Prince William Times: “Jim Gehlsen, the Democratic candidate for Brentsville supervisor, pleaded guilty to tax fraud in 2000 and spent a year in federal prison. More than 20 years later, he continues to have strong feelings about the IRS, saying he was “harassed” by the federal agency and that its actions “provoked” his crimes.”

“In an interview with the Prince William Times, Gehlsen, 69, called the IRS “terrorists” and repeatedly said he was ”tortured and terrorized” by the federal agency. Gehlsen said he is running for the Brentsville District supervisor’s seat in part because he believes Prince William County “does tax terrorism as well.”

News

Historic Manassas launches community survey

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:45AM

Historic Manassas Inc.: “I am pleased to announce that HMI, in partnership with Main Street America and the City’s Economic Development Department, launched a community survey yesterday to gain a better understanding of regional market trends and the community’s aspirations for Historic Downtown Manassas. The survey is confidential and takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Responses will be collected directly by Main Street America and will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our cherished Historic Downtown Manassas community, together.”

“We ask for your partnership in promoting the survey via any distribution channels you may have (i.e., general word of mouth, social media, dissemination of a promotional flyer in your store or business, etc.). If you would like some promotional flyers (which include the QR code to the survey) to distribute, please email Herbert Zepeda, HMI’s Communications & Promotions Coordinator, at [email protected].”

Prince William

OWL VFD plans open house Saturday, October 14

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:38AM

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department: “OWL VFD Open House event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Fire Station 14 (12400 Hedges Run Drive, Woodbridge). OWL VFD welcomes the community to visit the station.

OWL VFD President Dave Williams shared, “This event is a traditional favorite for OWL VFD to host. The community is invited to visit “our house” to see fire and rescue apparatus up close, talk with firefighters and EMTs, and enjoy refreshments provided by the OWL VFD Auxiliary.”

Prince William

Armed man at a Haymarket church wanted to do harm, police said

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:25AM | Updated October 3, 2023 at 2:18PM

Rui JIANG

Prince William police: “Threats of Violence Investigation – On September 24, at 10:12 a.m., officers responded to Park Valley Church located at 4500 Waverly Farm Drive in Haymarket to investigate a possible threat of violence. The investigation revealed Fairfax County police contacted Prince William County police after their agency received information from police in Anne Arundel County, Maryland regarding a citizen residing in Laurel who reported recent suspicious and concerning online postings on Instagram from an individual later identified as the accused.”

“In the postings, vague threats of violence were made, some of which included images of a location later determined to be Park Valley Church in Haymarket (Prince William County). Through the swift investigation lead by Anne Arundel police, their officers were able to determine a potential residence for the accused in Falls Church and immediately contacted Fairfax County police concerning the postings.”