Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

The changes coming to nine Manassas crosswalks you might never have noticed

Published May 22, 2018 at 6:26PM

MANASSAS — It’s a summer ritual in Downtown Manassas: replacing the bricks in the crosswalks in some of the city’s busiest intersections.

Heavily-trafficked Route 28 runs right through the heart of downtown, where more than 20,000 cars per day travel the street, according to daily traffic counts from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Business

Serendipity Quilting Studio opens at Tackett’s Mill Lakeside

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 21, 2018 at 4:41PM | Updated May 21, 2018 at 5:37PM

Debbie White

LAKE RIDGE — It didn’t take long for Debbie White to come out of retirement.

The bookkeeper turned professional quilter opened her new fabric store and sewing workshop Serendipity Quilting Studio at Tackett’s Mill Lakeside.

Originals

Manassas officials huddle to find school funding solution as residents face massive tax increases starting in 2020

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 17, 2018 at 10:30PM | Updated May 18, 2018 at 12:15PM

MANASSAS — Record enrollment in Manassas Public Schools is driving the need to build a new elementary school, which could send the city’s tax rate skyrocketing.

The news of the potential tax hike comes on the heels of a 3.72 percent tax increase approved this week by the city council that takes effect in the fiscal year 2019 starting July 1, which hiked the average homeowner real estate tax bill to $4,075 percent to cover a promise to provide an additional 2.65 percent school funding increase. Last year, taxes jumped five percent to fund new capital improvement projects like a new police station to be built on South Grant Avenue.

News

Manassas Rotary recognizes city police officers as part of 2018 Police Week

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 16, 2018 at 3:16PM | Updated May 17, 2018 at 9:34AM

Manassas Police Officer Marcus Hyde and City Police Chief Douglas Keen.

MANASSAS — The Manassas Rotary honored the city’s police force on Wednesday as part of National Police Week.

Manassas police officers chose their fellow co-worker, Officer Marcus Hyde, 29, as their Officer of the Year. City police Chief Douglas Keen recognized Hyde for his service over the past year, knocking down a door to save the life of a choking woman, applying tourniquets to bleeding victims, and helping to run down a suspect while jogging on his time off.

News

Manassas hikes taxes to cover school funding promise, capital improvements

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 15, 2018 at 5:30PM | Updated May 16, 2018 at 10:27AM

MANASSAS — A promise to make good on a funding request for city schools is forcing taxes to rise.

The Manassas City Council on Monday approved its $239 million budget which increases the average property tax bill 3.72%, producing an average tax bill of $4,075 for homeowners.

News

City leaders approve new fees for Manassas parks

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 15, 2018 at 10:55AM

MANASSAS — City leaders approved a new fee schedule for the use of fields at Manassas parks.

Under the new guidelines, permits for fields with lights will cost $6.50 per hour and fields without lights $4.75 per hour. For field tournaments, the city will charge $100 per field per day, plus the hourly rate.

Business

Would more apartments in Prince William bring more jobs?

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 14, 2018 at 10:26PM

MANASSAS — Prince William Chamber members on Monday were encouraged to change the way they think about apartments.

More apartment units could help the county reach its “moonshot” goal outlined in its 2017-2020 strategic plan of increasing its commercial tax revenues to 35 percent. County leaders also want to lower the number of commuters that leave the county for work, which is about 70 percent of the population.

News

OmniRide’s delay in reporting one of its buses stolen led to a lingered police response

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 11, 2018 at 3:43PM | Updated May 13, 2018 at 9:26AM

Dozens of OmniRide busses are lined up ready to go out on the afternoon runs at PRTC in Woodbridge.

WOODBRIDGE — A new report indicates OmniRide could have done more sooner to report a missing bus to police.

The report indicates an unidentified First Transit, Inc. driver contracted by OmniRide drove commuter bus 386 on the afternoon of August 22, 2017, to its first stop at 7th and D streets in NW Washington and refused to pick up any passengers. An angry customer called OmniRide, tipping off the transit company to the problem.

Business

You should know about Alamo’s strict no-texting, talking policy before the theater opens next month

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 10, 2018 at 11:23PM | Updated May 11, 2018 at 6:30AM

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema under construction [Photo: Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center]

WOODBRIDGE — The newest destination theater in Woodbridge is set to open next month.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will be located in Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center where the old “Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill” once stood. The old restaurant was demolished to make way for the 41,000 square-foot theater.

Business

Potomac Nationals owner on field naming rights deal, his continued search for a new team home, and hopes for changeover on the Board of Supervisors

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 10, 2018 at 10:02PM | Updated May 11, 2018 at 6:48AM

Fredericksburg Nationals team owner Art Silber.

WOODBRIDGE — When the Potomac Nationals announced Northwest Federal Credit Union bought naming rights for the field at Pfitzner Stadium, many asked:

We asked to review the lease contract between the county and the team, and it not only permits the team from selling its own advertising, but the county is also allowed to, in exchange for promotion in the stadium, enable local originations to underwrite events. Those exhibitions must take place before March 15 and after September 15, or shortly after should the team make the playoffs.