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!

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Smithfield Road and Doves Lane to Close for Daytime Drainage Work Nov. 17–19

By Uriah Kiser

“Smithfield Road (Route 746) between Petterson Lane and Sinclair Lane (Route 747) will be closed to through traffic during daytime hours Monday, Nov. 17, and Wednesday, Nov. 19, and Doves Lane (Route 650) between Shawnee Lane (Route 793) and Bradley Forest Road (Route 752) will be closed to through traffic during daytime hours for drainage pipe replacement,” Virginia Department of Transportation announced. “Those needing to reach properties along Smithfield Road and Doves Lane will have access; however, drivers will not be able to go beyond the work sites in either direction.”

“Smithfield Road through traffic will be detoured via Coopers Lane, Bradley Forest Road and Doves Lane back to Smithfield Road; Doves Lane through traffic will be detoured via Smithfield Road, Coopers Lane and Bradley Forest Road back to Doves Lane.”

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Occoquan Updates: Council News, Business Changes, and Holiday Events

By Uriah Kiser
Overlooking Occoquan [Photo: Occoquan Town Instagram page]

Mayor Ernie Porta’s latest Occoquan Radio Podcast recapped the November 5 Town Council meeting and shared updates on local businesses and upcoming holiday events. Here’s what residents should know:

For more on town events, visit VisitOccoquanVA.com/events.

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Prince William

Haymarket Appoints Caposella to Town Council, Awards Employee Pay Study Contract, Ignores Records Order

By Uriah Kiser

The Haymarket Town Council voted Wednesday night, November 12, 2025, to appoint David Caposella to fill a vacant seat on the council.

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Politics

Loudoun GOP Chair says RPV has “No Concern” for Northern Virginia Voters

By Uriah Kiser

“He doesn’t believe Northern Virginia even matters. They don’t vote for him anyway, so why even matter and come out in Northern Virginia?” a Facebook Reel stated. “Northern Virginia doesn’t vote for us anyway, so we’re not that concerned about it.”

Loudoun County Republican Committee Chairman Scott Pio’s comments were directed at the Republican Party of Virginia leader Mark Peake, referencing Peek’s Election Day remarks minimizing the impact of the government shutdown and suggesting Northern Virginia was not a political priority. Pio argued the statements show a disregard for a major region of the state and used the clip as part of his call for broader leadership resignations within the party.

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Prince William

Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park

By Uriah Kiser

“Experience the magic at Neabsco Regional Park and Boardwalk,” according to an event posted to the Potomac Local News events calendar. “The magic returns! Join us for the annual Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park and Boardwalk.” “Be sure to check out all the details including dates/times and important parking info: pwcparks.info/holidaylights”

The free Holiday Walk of Lights is scheduled for December 4, 2025, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Neabsco Regional Park and Boardwalk, 15125 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191. Attendees can walk a nearly mile-long trail of hand-crafted light displays, enjoy appearances by holiday characters, listen to carolers, and shop from seasonal vendors on select evenings. More information, including parking details and text alerts by sending the word “lights” to (703) 382-6716, is available online at pwcparks.info/holidaylights.

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Newslinks

Trump Signs Order to Expand Support for Foster Youth and “Fostering the Future” Initiative

By Uriah Kiser
First lady Melania Trump joins President Donald Trump to host a Celebration for Military Mothers event in the East Room of the White House, May 8, 2025. Photo: Andrea Hanks / Official White House Photo via Flickr

“I developed an idea to establish an impactful platform with an important mission,” The Center Square reported, “to provide individuals from the foster care community the ability to secure an entry level job position and in turn, financial independence.”

“Each year, more than 15,000 young people age out of the foster care system and unfortunately, too many struggle to become self-sufficient,” said President Donald Trump. “The order I will sign in a few moments will provide vital new resources to help young people transition out of the foster care system and live a very happy and a very successful life.”

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Newslinks

$300K Income Needed to Buy a Single-Family Home in Northern Virginia, Experts Say

By Uriah Kiser
New homes at K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons at Virginia Crossing in Woodbridge.

“Ten years ago, the average age of the first-time-homebuyer was 28, and so this is a big jump and it’s a signal that it’s really, really hard for folks to get into the housing market right now,” NBC Washington reported. “The median price for a single-family detached home in Fairfax County is almost a million. It is over $1.25 million in Alexandria and in Arlington County,” Sturtevant said. “You do need an income of about $300,000 if you do sort of some back-of-the-envelope math on taking on a loan with 10 percent down — it is very hard.”

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Newslinks

Youngkin, Spanberger at Odds after she urges UVA to delay presidential search amid board vacancies

By Uriah Kiser
Photo: Spanberger Facebook page

“As both a proud alumna and the Governor-elect of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am deeply concerned by recent developments at the University of Virginia and how these challenges may impact the legitimacy of the current search for the University’s next president,” Virginia Scope reported. “Over the past six months, the actions of the Board of Visitors have severely undermined the public’s and the University community’s confidence in the Board’s ability to govern productively, transparently, and in the best interests of the University.”

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Prince William

Gas Leak Forces Evacuation of 65 Townhomes in Lake Ridge

By Uriah Kiser
Prince William County's Fire & Rescue System Engine 23. [Courtesy of PWCFRS]

A damaged gas line led to the evacuation of 82 residents from their Lake Ridge homes on Wednesday night. Crews responded just before 9:40 p.m. to the intersection of Oakwood Drive and Catania Place after a 3-inch natural gas pipe was struck during excavation work.

Due to the leak, residents from approximately 65 townhomes were taken to Woodbridge High School for temporary shelter. Most were able to return home or find other accommodations by midnight after Washington Gas secured the leak. However, 32 residents, including two children, required overnight shelter from the Red Cross due to continued loss of heat in their homes.

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