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!

Fredericksburg

The Barking Barley to Open in Fredericksburg, Honoring a Beloved Dog and Community Spirit

By Uriah Kiser

“Well folks, it’s half a decade in the making. Two and a half years of planning, permitting and construction. And countless late nights. But we’re nearly there,” The Barking Barley announced. “The Barking Barley is my gift to downtown FXBG and to Riley. It’s my love letter to a city that made Riley and I feel like we belonged.”

“Fredericksburg is a dog town, Fredericksburg is home, and Fredericksburg is The Barking Barley,” the post continued. “Unfortunately we lost Riley before she could see her dog park completed. But she lives on in our logo design! So give her a smile whenever you see it. She’ll be watching over all her dog friends at the park.”

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Prince William

Chinn Park Library to Close November 26 for Major Renovation, Reopening Summer 2026

By Uriah Kiser

“We’re committed to providing access to our libraries, even while enhancing our spaces,” Prince William Public Libraries stated. “The short-term solution of having a smaller library space available during the renovation ensures the public can still browse for new books, research job opportunities on our computers, and enjoy our inviting spaces.”

The Chinn Park Library will close beginning Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for a large-scale renovation expected to last until summer 2026. The project, a collaboration between Prince William Public Libraries (PWPL) and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism (PWCDEDT), will introduce expanded spaces designed to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the general public. When complete, the library will include a new small business resource center, additional study rooms, and PWPL’s third makerspace.

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Breaking News

Vindman and Subramanyam Vote Against Bill to Reopen Federal Government

By Uriah Kiser
Subramanyam / Vindman

“This legislation ensures the government reopens and essential federal services continue without further interruption,” Congress.gov reported. “It provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for most federal agencies through January 30, 2026, and full-year funding for agriculture, veterans, military construction, and legislative branch programs.”

The measure passed the U.S. House by a vote of 222–209 and was approved by the Senate on November 10, 2025, thereby ending the federal government shutdown that had begun on October 1. Virginia Representatives Cline, Griffith, Kiggans, McGuire, and Wittman — all Republicans — voted in favor of the bill, while Democratic Representatives Vindman, Subramanyam, Beyer, McClellan, Scott, and Walkinshaw voted against it.

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Traffic

395 and 95 Express Lanes to Reverse Early Ahead of Thanksgiving Holiday

By Uriah Kiser
Looking south along the I-95 E-ZPass Express Lanes near Springfield. [Photo courtesy of Transurban]

“The 395 and 95 Express Lanes will reverse early on a number of days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday,” Express Lanes announced. “On Thanksgiving, the Lanes will run southbound all day long.”

Drivers with three or more people in the car and an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV ON can travel the Express Lanes for free. The early reversals begin Thursday, November 20, and continue through Friday, November 28. Overnight reversals will remain unchanged.

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Prince William

Prince William Supervisors to award $61M contract for massive Minnieville–Parkway interchange

By Uriah Kiser
A rendering shows Prince William County’s first Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI), planned for the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road in Woodbridge. The SPUI will provide access to the upcoming Quartz District, a mixed-use development with more than 1,000 homes and a Whole Foods Market.

Prince William County leaders are expected to take a major step toward easing one of the region’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks — and clearing the way for a long-awaited new community anchored by the county’s first Whole Foods Market.

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Prince William

PWCS Says Green Push Is Paying Off — $82.7M Saved as School Closure Looms

By Uriah Kiser
Energy Management & Sustainability Supervisor Jessica D. Weimer, MBA, LEED Green Associate, presents Prince William County Public Schools’ annual sustainability report during the School Board’s November 5, 2025 meeting.

Prince William County Public Schools says its sustainability efforts have saved taxpayers $82.7 million in avoided energy costs since 2012 — savings that come as the division weighs whether to close one of its oldest campuses, Potomac View Elementary School in Woodbridge.

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Spotsylvania

Spotsylvania’s New School Board Majority Set to Begin with Ban of Outspoken Critic

By Uriah Kiser
Shamgar Connors wore a unicorn costume while addressing the Stafford County School Board on Sept. 9, 2025. The board chair later sent him a letter warning that disruptive behavior could lead to his removal from future meetings.

The tone of Spotsylvania County’s political transformation was set in a letter.

On November 7, School Board Chair Megan Jackson signed a no-trespass order banning outspoken critic Shamgar Connors from all school division properties through July 1, 2026, citing what she called an “obscene depiction of child molestation” and repeated violations of school board decorum rules.

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Politics

Spanberger Wins Prince William by 33 Points as Democrats Sweep Local Races

By Uriah Kiser
Photo: Spanberger Facebook page

“Spanberger took advantage of voter angst to become the first woman elected governor in the commonwealth’s 400-year history,” Prince William Times reported. “Spanberger beat her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, by 15 points statewide but bested her in Prince William County by a whopping 33.9 points.”

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Features

Downtown Fredericksburg Welcomes the Holidays With Lights, Music, and Family Fun

By Uriah Kiser

“The most magical & festive time of the year is here in Downtown Fredericksburg!” Fredericksburg Main Street announced. “From twinkling lights to festive events and family fun, there’s something for everyone in downtown Fredericksburg.”

The holiday season kicks off November 15 and 16 with the Holiday Open House Weekend, featuring festive shop specials, holiday treats, and the start of the Window Wonderland Riddle Contest. The Fredericksburg Tree Lighting follows on Saturday, November 15, at 4 p.m. in Riverfront Park, with live performances, food vendors, and photos with Santa.

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Manassas Park

Santa Visits the Manassas Park Community Center for ‘Capture the Claus’ Photo Event

By Uriah Kiser
Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children who attended the tree lighting. [Photo by Mike Beaty]

The community event will be held Saturday, November 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the MPCC Banquet Hall. Families are encouraged to arrive early, as Santa will return to the North Pole promptly at 5 p.m. Organizers note the timing offers “plenty of time to turn your photos into Christmas cards for family and friends.”

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