Uriah Kiser, Author at Potomac Local News

Rail, Bus Options to be Studied for U.S. 1

Published June 11, 2013 at 2:19PM | Updated June 11, 2013 at 6:53PM

U.S. 1 in Woodbridge, at the intersection of E. Longview Drive and Prince William Parkway.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Transportation officials will consider new modes of transportation in the U.S. 1 corridor from Fairfax to Prince William counties as a new study is set to get underway.

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell announced Monday officials will spend 12 months speaking with the public and looking into transportation solutions such as light rail, bus rapid transit, and a possible extension of Metro into the congested corridor. The area of U.S. 1 between the Capital Beltway in Alexandria and Va. 123 in Woodbridge will be examined, as it his home to two major military installations, Fort Belvoir and Quantico, several commercial development and residential developments, and miles of commuter traffic.

News

Stafford Celebrating 350 with String of Year-Long Events

By Uriah Kiser

Published June 11, 2013 at 9:13AM | Updated June 12, 2013 at 7:20AM

Lt. Gen. Ron Christmas addresses a crowd at Stafford Hospital and talks about events planned for Stafford County’s 350th Anniversary Celebration. [Uriah Kiser / Potomac Local News]

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — It’s been dubbed the cradle of opportunity, and now those helping to plan Stafford County’s 350th Anniversary say the area is ready to welcome new visitors.

Stafford, founded in May 1664, will turn 350 next year. A series of events are planned to honor the sesquarcentennial, and a kick-off event was held Tuesday at Stafford Hospital to announce a list of parties to be held in 2014 to honor the birthday.

News

World Trade Center Steel Preservation Starts in July

By Uriah Kiser

Published June 10, 2013 at 4:51PM | Updated June 10, 2013 at 5:09PM

Prince William County firefighter Kenyon Sweet climbed up on a semi truck to have a closer look at one of four large pieces of steel from taken from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. (File photo from 2011, Mary Davidson/PotomacLocal.com)

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Steel beams from the ill-fated World Trade Center that have been sitting underneath a tarp for the past two years in Prince William County will be moved to Woodbridge to be preserved.

County officials say a public restoration effort to preserve the steel will begin in early July on the Sean T. Connaughton Plaza at the Prince William County Government Center. The effort is expected to cost upward of $75,000, and a company will be selected through an open bid process to complete the work.

News

Kiser: Lets Send Children to Camp This Summer

By Uriah Kiser

Published June 10, 2013 at 7:30AM | Updated June 10, 2013 at 9:42PM

Uriah Kiser

I think Prince William County / Manassas Boys and Girls Club Regional Director Glenn Vickers said it best at the Steak ‘N Stake awards dinner on Friday night – children in Prince William County and surrounding area will be out of school in in a week and they’re going to need a place to spend their summer.

As the weather gets hotter, for us reporters, that means covering more stories involving accidents, crime, and possibly even some unfortunate incidents involving children. But, as a product of the Boys and Girls Club, I know children who have their minds engaged, those who are involved, those who are active, and children who take an active role in their communities are more likely to have a more rewarding summer and are less likely to appear in unfortunate news stories. While there’s no scientific proof, its common knowledge children who are properly cared for do better.

News

Expect Increased Police Patrols on U.S. 15 This Weekend

By Uriah Kiser

Published June 7, 2013 at 9:10AM | Updated November 5, 2014 at 10:54AM

Photo: Mary Davidson

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — U.S. 15 in Virginia is a popular north-south route for travelers hoping to sidestep the state’s busy Interstate 95 corridor. The road runs from the North Carolina border connecting towns like Haymarket, Warrenton, and Leesburg. Ultimately it links South Carolina to New York, and this weekend police from all six jurisdictions in which the highway traverses will increase patrols

on U.S. 15 in an effort to save lives.

Business

If Fairfax FBI Site Fails, Prince William a Second Choice

By Uriah Kiser

Published June 5, 2013 at 9:21PM | Updated June 5, 2013 at 10:11PM

Prince William County supervisors Maureen Caddigan (Potomac District) and Corey A. Stewart (At-Large). (Uriah Kiser/PotomacLocal.com)

In the process to relocate the FBI’s national headquarters to Virginia, it appears the CIA was here first.

Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and members of a bipartisan congressional delegation in April unanimously chose a site in Fairfax County next to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station for the new FBI headquarters. Now home to a massive warehouse owned by the General Services Administration, State officials assured the federal government the site has quick access to transit, and to Interstates 95, 395, and the Capital Beltway, and would meet criteria set forth by the General Services Administration.

News

Bi-County Parkway Dropped from Prince William’s VDOT Priorities List

By Uriah Kiser

Published June 5, 2013 at 2:12PM | Updated June 5, 2013 at 4:20PM

Traffic on I-95 south near Va. 234 was congested Monday afternoon, July 30, 2012, following a serious crash on the HOV lanes.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — The Bi -County Parkway is not on a short list of approved road projects sanctioned by Prince William County officials.

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday removed the planned 10-mile extension of Va. 234, known as “234 extended,” that would largely carry traffic from Va. 234 at Interstate 66 around Manassas National Battlefield Park and link Prince William and Loudoun counties.

Business

Michigan Firm Chosen for Prince William Logo ‘Highly Capable’

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 31, 2013 at 9:30AM | Updated May 31, 2013 at 10:22AM

It was designed by Michigan-based firm David Castlegrant and Associates, LLC. Prince William County’s office of Economic Development ordered the logo created after a 2010 study was approved by the Board of Supervisors on how to better brand the county to businesses.

Brent Heavner, who is in the process of leaving the Economic Development office for a new job at the county’s communications office in Woodbridge, worked for Castlegrant on a project basis from August 2007 to September 2009.

News

Chambers Band Together to Support Outer Beltway

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 30, 2013 at 4:09PM | Updated May 31, 2013 at 7:23AM

Rob Clapper, President & CEO, Prince William Chamber of Commerce Val Walters, Executive Director, Dulles South Alliance Tony Howard, President & CEO, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, join for a press conference to announce a new Bi-County Parkway Partnership. [Photo: Courtesy: Susan Jacobs]

MANASSAS, Va. – Support for an outer beltway in Prince William and Loudoun counties is growing thanks to a new partnership with major business organizations in region.

A total of 12 administrations today, including the Prince William and Loudoun chambers of commerce, joined to form the Bi-County Parkway Partnership. They say the planned 45-mile road that would link Interstate 95 in Dumfries with I-66 in Manassas via a transformed Va. 234, and then beyond to Dulles Airport and Va. 7 in Loudoun County, will better position the region to accommodate an estimated 300,000 new jobs that will come to the area as population continues to grow.

News

Candland Crosses Prince William on Charity Walking Tour

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 29, 2013 at 6:30PM

Candland

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Supervisor Peter Candland walked 33 miles across Prince William County to raise cash for charity, and to meet residents.

Before he began his walk from Woodbridge to Haymarket on Saturday, Candland consulted with an organization called “Rise Up Prince William” who helped him identify six area organizations to work with on this endeavor, raising cumulative $30,000 for the following organizations: