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!

Prince William

Alexandria man surrenders in fatal 2023 hit-and-run on I-95 in Prince William

By Uriah Kiser

James A. Puryear, 50, of Alexandria, turned himself in Thursday morning, October 30, 2025, at the Prince William – Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center. Puryear is charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred nearly two years ago on Interstate 95 southbound in Prince William County.

The crash happened at 5:05 a.m. on November 19, 2023, near the 158-mile marker. Investigators say a 2005 Infiniti G35 sideswiped a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer, causing it to leave the roadway, hit a guardrail, and strike a support column. The truck driver, Trenton E. Schnakenberg, 31, of Caret, died at the scene. The driver of the Infiniti fled before authorities arrived.

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Stafford

NOT SO FAST, BUC-EE! — Stafford Planners Delay Mega Travel Center Vote

By Uriah Kiser

A crowd that filled the Stafford County Government Center and spilled into an overflow room waited late into the night Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, as the Planning Commission voted 6–1 to delay a decision on the controversial Buc-ee’s travel center proposed near Interstate 95’s Exit 140.

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Prince William

Prince William Residents Rage as County Passes ‘Weak’ Noise Ordinance

By Uriah Kiser
Village Place Technology Park in Gainesville, approved by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in 2022

After three years of study, public debate, and technical review, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted 5–2 Tuesday night to adopt a new C-weighted noise ordinance regulating sound from data centers and other industrial sources.

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Prince William

Weems–Botts Museum group urges Town to preserve $1-a-year lease agreement

By Uriah Kiser

The nonprofit that operates the Weems–Botts Museum and Merchant Park told the Dumfries Town Council it hopes to keep its $1-a-year lease intact through 2038, stressing that the agreement has allowed local volunteers to preserve one of Virginia’s most historic homes for five decades.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg to launches first-in-Virginia pilot for at-home street EV charging

By Uriah Kiser
A vehicle charging station at Neabsco Parking Garage in Woodbridge.

City leaders are preparing to launch a one-year pilot program that would let residents without driveways charge their electric vehicles at the curb — a first-of-its-kind initiative in Virginia.

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Newslinks

Governor Youngkin announces major statewide results from “Operation Magic Dragon” targeting illegal drug activity in vape shops

By Uriah Kiser

“When illegal drugs, firearms, and organized criminal activity infiltrate retail businesses, frequented by the public—including youth—Virginia will respond with decisive enforcement and unwavering accountability,” Governor Glenn Youngkin stated. “The results of Operation Magic Dragon demonstrate the exceptional work of our Virginia State Police special agents and their steadfast commitment to keeping our communities safe.”

“Operation Magic Dragon remains a vital tool for identifying and dismantling criminal enterprises that use vape shops and other retail fronts to distribute illegal drugs,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Marcus Anderson. “The Youngkin administration will continue to support these operations to ensure our families and communities are protected from those who profit off addiction and criminality.”

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Features

“Off the Wall” invites high school students to showcase their creativity across art, tech, and poetry disciplines

By Uriah Kiser

“The ARTfactory is pleased to present the 22nd Annual Off the Wall High School Art Exhibit & Competition,” the ARTfactory announced. “Each year, area high school students are invited to share their talent by participating in a high school art exhibit and competition presented by the ARTfactory.”

“The exhibit includes student work in the following categories: Art & Technology, Painting/Drawing, Poetry, Wearable Art, and Photography,” the organization stated. “Each category is adjudicated by a professional in the field.”

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Fredericksburg

Power Outage Darkens Fredericksburg’s Makerspace District

By Uriah Kiser

Businesses and residents along Princess Anne Street in downtown Fredericksburg woke up in the dark Thursday morning as a power outage hit the city’s bustling makerspace and retail corridor.

Dominion Energy reports 328 customers are without power in the area shaded in yellow on the company’s outage map — a stretch that includes parts of Princess Anne Street, Caroline Street, and nearby blocks between Hunter Hill Avenue and Pitt Street.

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Manassas Park

Manassas Park forfeits second straight varsity football game

By Uriah Kiser

“For the second straight week, Manassas Park has forfeited its varsity football game,” InsideNoVa reported. “The Cougars were scheduled to host Kettle Run this Friday, but that game has been cancelled.”

“At the time, Manassas Park activities director Chris Bunner said the school was ‘monitoring the health of our players’ on a week-to-week basis to determine if they could play.”

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Features

Holiday puppet show “The Velveteen Rabbit” coming to Riverside Center

By Uriah Kiser

“The Velveteen Rabbit, filled with gentle humor and warmth, is Margery Williams’ classic tale of a toy rabbit that dreams of becoming real,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts announced. “Told with hand puppets, storytelling, and song by a solo puppeteer, the story highlights friendship, changes, magic, and what it means to love and be loved.”

The family-friendly 60-minute puppet show arrives November 22 at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, following the success of the puppets featured in The Sound of Music. Children will also have a chance to visit Santa after the show. Tickets can be reserved by calling 540-370-4300.

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