Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Taxes going up in Stafford, and teachers on track to get raises

Published May 3, 2018 at 5:05PM | Updated May 4, 2018 at 10:04AM

STAFFORD — The Board of Supervisors is prepared to fund a cost-of-living raise for Stafford County teachers — something they’ve wanted for a long time.

“Our schools are hemorrhaging people, from teachers to paraprofessionals, to bus drivers,” said George Washington District Supervisor Tom Coen, who works as a history teacher at Stafford High School.

Business

At Tang’s Alterations, the art of wearing the clothes is part of the deal

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 2, 2018 at 11:04PM | Updated March 30, 2023 at 11:12PM

MANASSAS — It’s high school prom season across our area, and that fact is never more evident than when you walk into Tangs.

The alteration shop across from Prince William Hospital is lined with pink and white dresses, all waiting for a lovely lady to come pick them up to wear on their special night out.

News

Corey Stewart and his one-time opponent, now interim Chairman of the Prince William School Board, agree on something: More cops in elementary schools

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 2, 2018 at 5:35PM

Lateef

Dr. Babur Lateef, the newly appointed Prince William County School Board Chairman, says a plan funded by the county’s Board of Supervisors to put five armed community safety officers in elementary schools is a good idea.

“I fully support the pilot program. I believe it is another layer of security we can provide on a system that has multiple layers already. I look forward to the implementation of the program and the ultimate results. I think this program is a good example of community agencies, elected officials and community stakeholders working together to address serious concerns of the public,” Lateef states in an email to Potomac Local.

Business

If you’ve been to Farmville recently you might be familiar with the hotel that will be built at the Landing at Cannon Branch in Manassas

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 2, 2018 at 3:50PM | Updated May 3, 2018 at 10:41AM

MANASSAS — Developers at The Landing at Cannon Branch want a hotel that will cater to millennials.

They’re are leaning toward the brand “Tru by Hilton,” a hotel concept is known for its vibrant-colored lobby with space to play games and work, free breakfast, and smaller than average hotel rooms. The Manassas Tru will be four stories tall with up to 100 rooms.

News

Wood wins Dumfries: The results from Tuesday’s town elections in Prince William County

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 1, 2018 at 9:33PM | Updated May 1, 2018 at 11:25PM

Wood

DUMFRIES — Derrick Wood will be the next Dumfries mayor.

He beat his opponent Cliff Brewer by more than 46 points in Tuesday’s town election. Wood will replace Mayor Gerald Foreman who did not seek re-election after serving two terms as mayor, as well as a term on the town council before he was elected Mayor in 2012.

News

Impending Quantico Corporate Center property auction concerns Stafford leaders

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 1, 2018 at 3:49PM

Quantico Corporate Center off U.S. 1 in Boswell's Corner. (Photo:Mary Davidson/PotomacLocal.com)

STAFFORD — Stafford County officials are closely watching a land auction at Quantico Corporate Center.

Four commercial properties zoned for office space were supposed to have been auctioned to the highest bidder on April 20, but a title issue with one the properties forced the auction’s postponement.

Podcast

Podcast: Manassas goes from ‘investing’ to ‘maintaining’ in this year’s city budget

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 1, 2018 at 1:54PM

Last year, Manassas City officials passed a budget that increased the average real estate tax bill by an average of $198. It was called an “investing year” as the budget included multiple capital improvement projects that included the construction of a new police public safety center, a new fire station, and funding for a project that would remake Grant Avenue — once a main entrance to the city prior to the construction of Prince William Parkway in the 1990s.

This year’s budget process is about “maintaining” the funding the city council committed to funding last year. And, that means city residents are on the hook to pay about $60 more per year on their real estate tax on average.

News

Once the nearly $1 million is spent to dredge Neabsco Creek, leaders will need to find more cash do it all over again in the coming years

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 1, 2018 at 5:30AM

Hampton's Landing on Neabsco Creek in Woodbridge.

WOODBRIDGE — The effort to spend nearly $1 million to dredge a recreational waterway in Woodbridge will move forward.

Prince William County leaders approved $750,000 in contingency funds to dredge the entrance to Neabsco Creek after the U.S. Coast Guard removed the navigational channel markers boaters used to enter the creek. The funds were approved as part of the fiscal year 2019 budget but will be pulled from a pot of money set aside a year ago.

Business

Here’s a chance for college and high school students to be paired with mentors at CenterFuse

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 30, 2018 at 4:47PM | Updated April 30, 2018 at 6:58PM

MANASSAS — Students will soon have the chance to partner with mentors from the region’s business community.

A “Shadow for a Day” event will marry high school and college students with professionals from a range of different occupations on May 8 at the CenterFuse co-working space in Manassas. Representatives from each of the more than 20 participating business and organizations will speak about their work for about two minutes each during a panel discussion, and then students will choose whom they want to shadow for a day.

News

State investigates Minnieland as daycare says Boykin violated trust, offers refunds

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 30, 2018 at 1:32PM | Updated April 30, 2018 at 4:54PM

Virginia officials have launched an investigation into Minnieland Academy after an employee was charged with sexually assaulting four girls.

The Virginia Department of Social Services tells Potomac Local that it’s child protective services and child licensing divisions are now looking into the daycare center’s operations.