Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Happy Labor Day

Published September 5, 2022 at 6:00AM

[Photo: City of Fredericksburg Government]

We’re taking today off to enjoy some time with our family and friends. Please feel free to comment below and sound off on recent news coverage or tell us how we’re doing in our ongoing effort to bring you the local news that matters to you.

We’ll be back tomorrow, Tuesday, September 6, with more local coverage from our area. The Boards of Supervisors of Prince William and Stafford counties resume meetings tomorrow after a summer break.

News

Most-read Potomac Local News stories of the week: Aug. 27-Sept. 2

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 2, 2022 at 5:23PM | Updated September 3, 2022 at 2:07PM

The band from Colgan High School in Prince William County [Photo: Prince William County School Coles District School Board Member Lisa Zargarpur]

Those of you that have lived around here know our growing season ends in early October, with the arrival of crisp mornings, warm days, and cool nights.

Even though the calendar says it’s over, there are still many more warm days to come. I hope you do something fun over the holiday weekend.

News

Youngkin visits Colonial Forge High School, signs order to attract more teachers

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 1, 2022 at 2:24PM | Updated September 1, 2022 at 5:18PM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs an executive directive to make it easier to attract teachers to public schools during ceremony at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford County on September 1, 2022 [Uriah Kiser/PLN]

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an Executive Directive today at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford County, cutting administrative red tape for schools trying to fill a glut of vacant teaching positions.

Youngkin’s order will make it easier to get teachers in classrooms, allowing them to work with obtaining their licenses while upholding educational standards. The order also makes it easier for retired teachers who want to return to the classroom, educators who recently moved to Virginia, and those switching careers to begin teaching to ease the state’s teacher shortage.

Business

Cinema Cafe drops Manassas Park movie theater deal; Library to open soon

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 1, 2022 at 8:00AM | Updated September 5, 2022 at 9:52AM

The company that was going to build a movie theater in Manassas Park had second thoughts.

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News

Spanberger shifts campaign focus to local matters, presses Youngkin on I-95 fix

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 31, 2022 at 8:00AM | Updated August 31, 2022 at 9:21AM

Rep. Abigail Spanberger opens its 2022 campaign headquarters in Fredericksburg on May 14. [Photo submitted by the campaign]

The two-term incumbent Democrat sent a letter to Youngkin demanding answers to how his administration is working to prevent another shutdown of Interstate 95 during a snowstorm like Virginia experienced on January 3, 2022.

Drivers were stranded along a 50-mile stretch of highway between Dumfries and Carmel Church, near Kings Dominion, for more than 12 hours without food, water, heat, and access to restrooms. Specifically, Spanberger wants to know how Youngkin is implementing recommendations outlined in an April report to prevent another disaster from occurring.

Business

SkyZone Woodbridge trampoline park has full-court foam and fun

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 29, 2022 at 8:00AM

There’s a new trampoline park in Woodbridge that makes parents and their children want to jump for joy.

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News

Manassas residents fuming over tax bills, Revenue Commissioner stonewalls press

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 26, 2022 at 8:00AM | Updated August 26, 2022 at 12:35PM

Tim Demeria running for Manassas Commissioner of the Revenue in 2021. [Photo: Mike Beaty]

William “Billy” Tucker was shocked when he received a bill for $2,543, up from $1,938 last year. The value of his wife’s 2019 Kia Credenza is assessed 18% over the past year, now valued at over $33,000, and his Dodge truck up more than $7,000 in a year, at $45,500.

His daughter drives a 2007 Honda Accord that Demeria says is worth $4,400, $870 more than last year. “I know I can’t get $4,400 for it if I tried to sell it,” said Tucker.

News

Manassas schools ditch police station, need City Council blessing

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 25, 2022 at 8:00AM

Manassas Public Schools HQ at 8700 Centreville Road.

Manassas School Board members unanimously voted to purchase 8700 Centreville Road, a building in which it rents space for central office employees. The school division wants to buy the 55,000-square-foot building for $10.8 million.

The move throws a plan to move into the city’s police station at 9518 Fairview Avenue. Police will vacate the space for a new public safety center early next year.

News

Prince William police need 100 new officers, will hold career fair at Potomac Mills

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 24, 2022 at 9:00AM

A Prince William County Police K9 [Photo: Mary Davidson/Potomac Local News]

The sheriff’s office protects the county courthouse in Manassas and serves court orders. The police department, commonly seen in Carolina-blue colored vehicles, responds to 911 calls — everything from car crashes and shootings to helping stranded drivers with flat tires.

The career fair is Saturday, August 27, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., near the TJ Maxx store at the shopping mall, 2700 Potomac Mills Circle in Woodbridge. You can go online to view all of the county’s open positions.

News

EDA withholds leftover coronavirus funds from Stafford schools

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 23, 2022 at 10:00AM | Updated August 23, 2022 at 2:42PM

Stafford County Public Schools Alvin York Bandy Complex, the headquarters of the school division.

Stafford County Public Schools won’t get the $180,000 in funding requested of the Economic Development Authority.

The schools asked for financial assistance planning a convocation event on August 5, 2022, at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The event was designed to unify and motivate teachers and staff for the 2022-23 school year.