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!

Features

Local Veteran’s Dumfries Home Gets $15K Makeover—Thanks to a Big Volunteer Push

By Uriah Kiser

DUMFRIES, Va. – A Dumfries Army Veteran is getting a major home makeover today, and it’s all thanks to a powerful show of support from local businesses honoring the National Day of Service.

The folks at Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia – Arlington to Haymarket just told Potomac Local News they’ve teamed up with more than 35 other local companies—including Mosquito Joe, Five Star Painting, and Junk King—to donate over 850 volunteer hours and $15,000 in materials. Their mission: give Brenda Lauer, a proud Army Veteran who started serving in 1993, the home repairs she deserves.

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Business

Jinnae Monroe Makes History as Chamber’s First Black Woman Board Chair

By Uriah Kiser

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new board chair, Jinnae Monroe, was recognized this month by the Dumfries Town Council for her historic appointment. Monroe is the first Black woman to lead the chamber’s board of directors, a role she will hold for the next year.

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Prince William

George Stewart Talks Data Centers, Taxes, and Schools in Gainesville Race

By Uriah Kiser
Stewart

GAINESVILLE, Va. – George Stewart, the Democratic nominee for Gainesville District Supervisor in Prince William County, sat down with Potomac Local News Publisher Uriah Kiser for the latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast.

Stewart, a Navy veteran and Dominion Valley resident, discussed the ongoing debate over data centers, including the controversial Prince William Digital Gateway project, property taxes, the county’s school revenue-sharing agreement, and the need to grow the commercial tax base.

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Neighborhood Notes

Neighborhood Notes: Guided Quarry Walks, Dumpster Days, and Downtown Celebrations

By Uriah Kiser

From a 2-year celebration at Mill Street Draft Garden in Occoquan to a bilingual storytime and kayak adventure at Motts Run Reservoir, plenty is happening across the region.

🎉 Mill Street Draft Garden Celebrates 2 Years in Occoquan
Mill Street Draft Garden is marking two years in business. From their first day welcoming customers to becoming a local favorite, the team is thanking the community for its support and looking ahead to many more years of great food, beer, and memories.
More from Mill Street Draft Garden

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Prince William

Cold Case Cracked: DNA Advances Lead to Conviction in 1987 Woodbridge Rape

By Uriah Kiser
The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said a 38-year-old cold case involving the abduction and rape of a local gas station clerk has finally been solved—thanks to cutting-edge DNA technology and years of relentless police work.

On August 21, a jury convicted Russell Marubbio, 54, of Florida, for the brutal 1987 assault that took place at a Chevron station on Jefferson Davis Highway in Woodbridge. Prosecutors say this marks the first time in U.S. legal history that rare “somatic mutations” in identical twins’ DNA were used to distinguish and convict one twin.

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Neighborhood Notes

Notes: A Community on the Move—Remembrance, Recognition, and Rising Talent

By Uriah Kiser
Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith (left) joins NSECEC Principal Amanda Dorazio, giveaway winner Bethany Quintana, and Vocelli Pizza owners Naveed Javed and Aman Naveed (right) to celebrate Quintana's win of free pizza for a year, honoring local educators’ dedication.

From honoring 9/11 in Stafford to spotlighting standout educators and celebrating creativity across our region, this week’s roundup features stories of dedication, celebration, and community connection. Dive in to see how local leaders, artists, students, and runners are shaping the weeks ahead.

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Schools

Mountain View High School Junior Wins $40K BigFuture Scholarship

By Uriah Kiser

STAFFORD, Va. — Mountain View High School junior Elias Copeland was surprised in class with the news that he earned a $40,000 BigFuture Scholarship from College Board, recognizing students who take steps to plan their futures after high school.

Copeland’s parents, coaches, teachers, and district administrators attended the surprise event. Superintendent Daniel Smith praised Copeland for his initiative, saying the award is proof that planning ahead pays off.

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Features

Riverside’s The Sound of Music Drawing Crowds, Tracking with Jersey Boys Ticket Sales

By Uriah Kiser

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is two weeks into its run of The Sound of Music, and ticket sales are already tracking alongside one of its biggest recent hits, Jersey Boys.

More than 6,000 tickets have been sold with eight weeks remaining. Jersey Boys drew more than 11,000 during its run in 2024.

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Prince William

Wawa to Open in Dumfries with Free Coffee, T-Shirts, and Hoagie Contest

By Uriah Kiser

DUMFRIES, Va. — Wawa is set to open its newest Northern Virginia store in Dumfries on September 4, offering free coffee, t-shirts, and a hoagie-building contest featuring first responders.

The new store, located at 3600 Pointe Center Court, opens at 8 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:30 a.m. The first 100 customers in line will receive free t-shirts, and all customers will receive free hot coffee through September 7.

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Prince William

Prince William Woman Faces 10 Years After Manslaughter Conviction in 2021 Shooting

By Uriah Kiser
Myers

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — A Prince William County jury has convicted Lisa Gaye Myers, 60, of voluntary manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of her ex-boyfriend and tenant, Travis Kelly Deardorff. The verdict reduces her potential sentence to a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Myers was initially indicted of first-degree murder for the November 27, 2021, shooting inside her home on Bradford Lane, near Independent Hill. Police said Myers called 911 after shooting Deardorff in the head during an argument. He later died at a hospital.

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