Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Emboldened Virginia Republicans hopeful for congressional gains, retaking General Assembly

Published October 18, 2022 at 1:10PM | Updated October 21, 2022 at 7:19PM

Yesli Vega and Gov. Glenn Youngkin at a campaign rally in Spotsylvania County on October 17, 2022.

A year ago, Republicans swept Democrats from statewide offices in Richmond, from the governor’s mansion to the attorney general’s office.

Now Virginia Republicans are speaking boldly and hoping the red wave will flow through the halls of Congress in Washington and continue into 2023 in the General Assembly.

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2 potential school sites would help close Stafford school’s classroom deficit

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 18, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated October 20, 2022 at 2:42PM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

Stafford County leaders may have two new school sites when they need them most.

The school system projects an increase of 6,000 students in the next 10 years and called for a minimum of six new buildings to meet the projected capacity requirements.

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Spanberger drops out of Woodbridge debate after fallout from Dem legislator’s plan to reintroduce a bill that would investigate parents after failing to affirm their child’s LGBTQ gender identity

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 17, 2022 at 2:33PM | Updated October 18, 2022 at 7:15AM

Vega / Spanberger

Updated 3:40 p.m. — Abigail Spanberger will be a no-show at the scheduled debate with her opponent, Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega.

Both women are running for the 7th Congressional Seat representing a portion of Prince William, as well as Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg.

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Prince William approves $10 million Doves Landing plan; few will use the area, says parks director

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 17, 2022 at 10:00AM | Updated October 19, 2022 at 10:09AM

At 500 acres, the park outside Manassas will be the county’s most extensive and will cater to passive users like hikers, kayakers, and birdwatchers.

The county’s parks and recreation department says the park build-out will cost about $10 million and will be completed in phases. It will pay $2.4 million to design the newly-expanded park. Plans include a $4 million pedestrian bridge over the Occoquan River, new picnic shelters, bathrooms, dual kayak launches, and a second parking lot.

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Sticker shock continues: Manassas to dip into rainy day funds to pay for office building renovation

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 12, 2022 at 8:00AM | Updated October 13, 2022 at 11:56PM

Manassas City Hall at 9027 Center Street.

Manassas government employees and the residents who visit to interact with them will get a newly remodeled city hall despite skyrocketing costs and the city’s need to dip into rainy-day funds to pay for the construction.

On Monday, October 10, 2022, the City Council voted 4-2, with Democrats in favor, to move ahead with a $12.2 million project to gut and overhaul the city’s municipal office building at 9027 Center Street, installing new systems from top to bottom — electrical wiring, HVAC, elevators, and new windows, to name a few.

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Collective bargaining likey to cost millions at Prince William schools, won’t ‘solve anything,’ says School Board Chairman. Here’s how it will work

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 11, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:28PM

As Prince William County Public Schools get closer to passing a collective bargaining agreement, it’s clear how much it will cost taxpayers to allow teachers to wrangle over pay.

“It’s entirely reasonable to expect it will be seven figures,” said school division attorney Wade T. Anderson. Gainesville District School Board member Jennifer Wall pressed him for a a firm estimate, but he couldn’t provide it.

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Quantico outlines future projects, challenges for current, transitioning Marines

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 7, 2022 at 11:38AM

Quantico Marine Corps Base is a buzz with activity as the small city of 26,000 people continues to build for the future.

During a community briefing on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2022, Base Commander Col. Michael Brooks and his staff provided details on a new wargaming training center, water treatment plant, visitor control, and child development centers, to name a few.

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Satterwhite says Gainesville needs representation, to challenge Candland on BOCS

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 6, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated October 6, 2022 at 12:56PM

Satterwhite

A familiar face in local politics will make a run for the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in 2023.

Alyson Satterwhite, a Republican, announced her bid to become the next Gainesville District Supervisor today. She plans to challenge sitting incumbent Republican Peter Candland, who has held the job since 2012.

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Riverside Station to transform neighborhood at Woodbridge VRE

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 5, 2022 at 3:37PM | Updated October 13, 2022 at 11:53AM

Two developers will breathe new life into Woodbridge with a new development containing nearly 1,000 new homes and retail shops.

The mixed-use Riverside Station will sit on 19 acres on Route 1, across from the Woodbridge VRE station. When complete, a series of condo buildings, street-level shops, a small park, and landscaped areas will replace Station Plaza, home to B-Thrifty and Astoria Pizza, and the old Cowles Ford dealership, which has sat empty for 30 years.

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Murder, drugs, theft, fear and frustration on Balls Ford Road

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 28, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated September 29, 2022 at 4:49PM

Prince William Police Captain Jacques Poirier, commander of western district operations

Business owners in the Balls Ford Road corridor are becoming increasingly frustrated.

Vagrants, drugs, shootings, and a recent homicide have ignited fears in the community, whose members are pushing the Prince William County Police for more help.