Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

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

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.

Business

Half of its tulip crop destroyed, Burnside Farms looks to summer, fall festivals to help recover losses

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 9, 2018 at 10:56AM | Updated May 9, 2018 at 11:47PM

NOKESVILLE — It’s been a tough year for tulips.

Nobody knows that better than Leslie Dawley and her son, Mike, who both run Burnside Farms in Nokesville, one of the world’s few places you can stroll through a vast field of tulips and pick your own.

Features

Port city no more: Dumfries keeps its colonial story alive with its upcoming Charter Day celebration

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 8, 2018 at 10:00AM | Updated May 10, 2018 at 10:20AM

DUMFRIES — Dumfries will celebrate its founding again after a brief hiatus.

The annual festival took off last year, but the festivities to honor Virginia oldest, continuously chartered are back return Saturday, May 12.

News

As schools search for more space, Stafford leaders question plan to close an elementary school

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 8, 2018 at 7:00AM | Updated May 8, 2018 at 9:57PM

STAFFORD — What seemed like a good idea about years ago may not seem like such a good idea anymore.

Stafford County leaders are questioning their plan to close Moncure Elementary School in North Stafford after a replacement school opens nearby next fall.