Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

OmniRide Metro Express bus fares suspended, transit center closed to public

Published March 18, 2020 at 12:26PM

OmniRide today announced several changes to help protect the public and OmniRide employees from the coronavirus outbreak.

OmniRide’s Local and Metro Express services are now providing users riders free of charge. These buses provide service between Manassas and western Prince Willliam County to the Tysons Corner Metro station, and from Woodbridge to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station.

News

Stafford shutters all public buildings as coronavirus spreads

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 17, 2020 at 5:22PM

All public buildings in Stafford County will close tomorrow as part of a national effort to curb the spread of the Chinese coronavirus.

The closure announcement comes a day after county administrator Thomas Foley declared a local state of emergency in Stafford. That is on top of declarations at the state and federal levels.

Schools

NOVA employee tests positive for coronavirus; Manassas campus shuttered

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 17, 2020 at 5:09PM | Updated March 19, 2020 at 2:02PM

Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus.

An instructor at the Northern Virginia Community College has tested positive for coronavirus.

A statement from the college reads:

News

Manassas declares a local state of emergency in wake of cornavirus

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 17, 2020 at 4:49PM

Manassas City Hall at 9027 Center Street.

Manassas City is now under a local state of emergency in response to the spread of Chinese coronavirus.

The declaration comes as officials in neighboring jurisdictions Fredericksburg, and in Prince William, and Stafford counties made identical declarations yesterday.

News

Habitat for Humanity Prince William County scales back, keeps ReStores open

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 17, 2020 at 3:45PM

We’re hearing from Habitat for Humanity Prince William County, which is scaling back some of its operations in the wake of the Chinese coronavirus.

Director Traci DeGroat pens in an email:

Occoquan mayor pushes for financial relief for small businesses affected by coronavirus

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 17, 2020 at 3:37PM

Occoquan officials plan to hold a scheduled town hall meeting tonight, Tuesday, March 17, according to a statement from town mayor Earnie Porta.

Seating inside the town hall will be limited. The town does not provide a streaming option for residents to listen to and/or watch the meeting in real-time.

Schools

George Mason students to attend online classes for rest of semester, commencement rescheduled

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 16, 2020 at 10:47PM

George Mason University President Anne Holton today made an extraordinary decree: None of the university’s students would return for the remainder of the semester due to the Chinese coronavirus.

This late-breaking information comes to us in an email sent to students from Holton:

Traffic

VRE ridership declines in wake of coronavirus, schedule changes announced

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 16, 2020 at 4:31PM

Commuters should take note of some upcoming changes in the modes of transportation that get them to and from work.

Virginia Railway Express tells us that an increasing number of area businesses and government agencies are encouraging or mandating telework for its employees to help contain the spread of the Chinese coronavirus.

News

Manassas police suspend fingerprinting service

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 16, 2020 at 4:06PM

The ink will have time to dry at the Manassas police station.

City police announced they temporarily stop fingerprinting services at the station.

Originals

Prince William declares state of emergency, now has 3 coronavirus cases

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 16, 2020 at 1:14PM | Updated March 16, 2020 at 5:03PM

Prince William County Executive Christopher Martino

As of noon today, Prince William County and her residents are living under a state of emergency.

County Executive Chris Martino signed a Declaration of Local State of Emergency for Prince William County in response to the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control to limit crowds of people to 50 or less to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the COVID-19 virus that originated from Wuhan, China.