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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Ellis the lone Republican bidding for new 7th District Congressional seat — so far

By Uriah Kiser
Ellis

Theresa Ellis will run for Congress in Virginia’s new 7th District, most likely including her hometown Manassas city, Prince William, and Stafford counties.

The Republican, who sits on the Manassas City Council, initially announced a bid for the 10th District seat this summer. However, changes to statewide political districts proposed by the Virginia State Supreme Court would mean Manassas and a portion of Prince William County would no longer sit in District 10.

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Accounting glitch leads to $70,000 property tax underbilling in Manassas Park

By Uriah Kiser

About 450 Manassas Park residents received a Real Estate property tax bill for less than they owed.

Keystone, a firm contracted by the city to handle all of its financial transactions, from taxing, permitting, and utility payments, underbilled the property owners $156 on average, resulting in about $70,000 fewer tax dollars for the city.

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Annaburg Manor master plan approved; Park will host weddings and events

By Uriah Kiser
Annaburg Manor

A new master plan will guide the development of the latest public park in Manassas, Annaburg Manor.

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Judges should get tough on criminals, city needs more bi-lingual cops, racial commission says

By Uriah Kiser
George Odom, chairman of the Manassas City Equity and Inclusion Committee [Photo: Uriah Kiser/PLN]

The city’s Equity and Inclusion Committee held a series of pop-up listening sessions, regular online video meetings, and discussions with area leaders. The most commonly used word in responses received from residents was “equality,” said commission Chairman George Odom.

During a speech to the city council, Odom reminded elected leaders equality and equity is not the same. “Equality treats everyone the same without deference to different races, sexes, or social classes,” said Odom. Meanwhile, “equity” deals in judging the fairness of an issue, Webster’s Dictionary defines.

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The Coles District to get 2,500 new constituents in overly-political process, Republicans say

By Uriah Kiser
Vega

As county leaders voted on a newly-proposed magisterial district map, Republicans say Democrats made the map-making process a political one designed to help a colleague.

Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega will pick up about 2,500 new constituents who live south of Manassas, around the semi-rural Yates Ford Road area. The rural subdivision had been in the Occoquan District, represented by Kenny Boddye.

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Woman sentenced to 4 years after killing a pedestrian walking dog in Woodbridge

By Uriah Kiser
The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

A woman who pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter after she struck and killed a Woodbridge woman while walking her dog received her sentence today.

Cierra Faith Dickerson, 21, will serve four years in prison, in a young offender program, following the death of Deborah Lynn Talbot, killed on May 1, 2020, while walking on Cardinal Drive near her home.

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Millions needed for upkeep, improvements at region’s state parks

By Uriah Kiser

State Senator Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford) told PLN he would introduce legislation that aims to fund $11 million in improvements to Leesylvania State Park, at 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive in Woodbridge.

During the summer months, families flock to the 556-acre park on the banks of the Potomac River to hike, fish, picnic, and boat on the river. So many families flock to the park on weekends, the entrance is often closed to additional visitors as the park quickly fills to its occupancy limit.

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Plans for 10-acre park next to Dumfries gaming resort include pickleball courts, field, trails

By Uriah Kiser
Developers for a new 10-acre park next to a new gaming resort in Dumfries propose making Pickleball courts, soccer, football fields, and walking trails.

Pickleball fans flooded an online community meeting for input on a planned 10-acre park atop a landfill in Dumfries next to a future gambling resort.

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Breaking News: New maps move incumbents out of seats; An explainer of an expected coming political shakeup

By Uriah Kiser
A newly proposed political map shifts Virignia's 7th congressional district from the Richmond suburbs north to Prince William and Stafford counties.

[Updated 7 p.m.] Voters and elected leaders in our region woke up today with a glimpse of a possible new political reality. 

According to new political maps drawn by court-appointed Special Masters, nearly all elected incumbents in Prince William and Stafford counties, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg cities were “re-districted” out of their seats Masters from the Democratic and Republican parties. The new maps, or similar versions of them, will likely be approved by the Virginia Supreme Court later this month. 

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We care and seek the truth about our community

By Uriah Kiser
Following the christening of the Benjamin Chase, a new boat for Sea Scout Ship 100 of Gainesville named after two Cub Scouts killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, the victim’s mothers tossed rose petals into the Potomac River in honor of the victims. [Mary Davidson / Potomac Local News]
Following the christening of the Benjamin Chase, a new boat for Sea Scout Ship 100 of Gainesville named after two Cub Scouts killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, the victim’s mothers tossed rose petals into the Potomac River in honor of the victims. [Mary Davidson / Potomac Local News]

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