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!

Breaking News

Updated: 2 die in trailer crash; Police seek help

By Uriah Kiser

Update — “The Virginia State Police is seeking the public’s help with the fatal crash that occurred Wednesday (July 5), in Stafford County. Trooper A. Roberts is investigating a crash that occurred at 4:42 a.m. on Interstate 95 northbound at the 136-mile marker when a collision occurred between a blue in color 2022 Freightliner tractor-trailer, a black in color 2014 Nissan Altima, and a red in color 2010 Subaru Forrester.”

Update 11:30 a.m. — “Interstate 95 northbound has reopened at exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) in Stafford County. The detour has been lifted. Two northbound lanes are open. A single lane, the right lane, will remain closed as part of the ongoing response to the earlier crash.”

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News

7 displaced after house fire behind Colonial Forge High School

By Uriah Kiser

Stafford County Fire and Rescue: “At 10:20 P.M. on Tuesday, July 4th, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) were dispatched for a reported structure fire [behind Colonial Forge High School] in the 00 block Smelters Trace Road, near the intersection of Millrace Road and Woodcutters Road, reported by multiple callers.”

“First arriving units marked on scene approximately five minutes later and reported heavy fire from the roof and side of a two-story single-family home. Additionally, the fire spread to involve an adjacent single-family home. Crews switched to defensive firefighting tactics due to the structure being unstable, and a second alarm was struck, bringing additional resources to the scene. The fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes.”

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Prince William

Crime in Prince William worsens; ‘Neighbors are scared to go outside to walk their dog’

By Uriah Kiser
Sudley Road looking north to Interstate 66, now a busy, crime-ridden area of Prince William County

Insidenova.com: “Prince William County law enforcement and social services officials met with Manassas-area business leaders and property owners Thursday to discuss concerns with an uptick in crime along the Sudley and Balls Ford Roads corridor.”

“Sachin Behl, owner of a 7-Eleven located at the corner of Balls Ford and Sudley roads, described recurring instances of customers harassing employees, with one most recently breaking glass and stealing merchandise. Carolanne Petrusiak, chief financial officer of McKay Used Books located on Sudley Road, told of how people who do drugs behind the shop harass her employees while they take out the trash.”

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News

Police clear the scene at Georgetown South

By Uriah Kiser

Updated Wednesday, July 5, 2023, from Manassas police: “At approximately 2:00 pm on Monday, July 3rd, the Manassas City Police Department received a call regarding a male subject who had been assaulted by four suspects at the 9000 block of Pickett Lane. The victim stated that a pistol was used in the robbery. The assailants fled on foot before police arrival. During the investigation, the Manassas City Police Department deployed a drone and K9 Unit to observe and track these individuals. The suspects were not apprehended and the investigation is ongoing.”

Original post — Police cleared the Georgetown South neighborhood after warning people to stay away at about 3 p.m. today, Monday, July 3, 2023. There’s no word yet on why.

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Originals

Rock Hill Church Road bridge to close for 1 year

By Uriah Kiser

A one-lane bridge carrying traffic on Rock Hill Church Road in Stafford County will close for one year.

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Prince William

Ident-a-Child coming to area libraries

By Uriah Kiser

Prince William County Public Libraries: “Prince William County Sheriff’s Office will produce a plastic ID card with your child’s photo and measurements. This card could be the key to assisting law enforcement agencies if a child ever goes missing.”

“Producing the card offers children a fun and positive experience interacting with law enforcement officers. The Sheriff’s Office does not retain the information to protect the family’s privacy.”

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Prince William

Shooting victim found at hotel near Manassas NOVA campus

By Uriah Kiser

“At one point during the encounter, the accused retrieved a firearm and shot the victim. The victim then left the room and the occupants of a nearby hotel room notified the police. Officers located the accused outside of the hotel and detained her without incident. No additional injuries or property damage were reported. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Jasmine CORTES, was arrested.

“Arrested on July 3: Jasmine CORTES, 26, of no fixed address. Charged with aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”

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Prince William

Female fugitive nearly strikes cop while fleeing Dumfries house party

By Uriah Kiser

Prince William police: “Attempted Malicious Wounding on a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] – On July 1 at 2:17PM, officers responded to the 16700 block of Interstate Dr. in Dumfries (22026) for a report of a large party occurring in the area. As officers were investigating, they observed a woman, identified as the accused, who was actively wanted.”

“When officers attempted to make contact with the accused, she got into a vehicle and drove the vehicle towards the officers. The officers, and a nearby 37-year-old man, were able to quickly get out of the way to avoid being struck by the accused. As the accused fled the area, she struck multiple unoccupied parked vehicles before placing the vehicle in reverse and almost striking another officer. The accused fled the area at a high rate of speed. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as McKayla Nicole STRAIT. Attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful.”

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