Newslinks

The Center Square: President Donald Trump announced Monday that his administration is placing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and activating the National Guard to address violent crime in the nation’s capital. The move, made under Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, includes sending 800 National Guard troops to the district, according to the White House. — More from The Center Square.


Schools

Classrooms across Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) filled this morning as more than 31,500 students returned for the 2025–2026 school year. SCPS operates 34 schools and maintains an average student–teacher ratio of 13:1. Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith leads the division, headquartered at 31 Stafford Avenue.

The county kicked off the year with its Transition Day on Monday, August 11, 2025. Designed for incoming kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade students, Transition Day provides a softer start—allowing these students to tour their schools, meet teachers, and get familiar with their surroundings before the whole student body arrives. School officials say the program reduces first-day anxiety and helps build connections that last throughout the year.


Newslinks

InsideNoVa: Democrat Elizabeth Guzman holds a comfortable fundraising lead over incumbent Republican Ian Lovejoy in the closely-watched House of Delegates 22nd District race. As of the latest filings, which cover through the end of June, Guzman had raised nearly $403,000 to Lovejoy’s $251,000. — More from InsideNoVa.


Health

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Sentara Health said they’ve teamed up with Carient Heart & Vascular and Polaris Heart & Vascular Clinic to open a brand-new outpatient cardiovascular center—something Northern Virginia has never seen before.

The Northern Virginia Heart & Vascular Center, located on Groupe Drive just three miles from Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, officially treated its first patient on July 24. It’s designed for people who need specific heart procedures but don’t require a hospital stay.


Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office states a jury has found Shawn O’Neal Parker guilty in a 2024 shooting that left one man severely and permanently injured.

Jurors convicted Parker on July 30 of aggravated malicious wounding and using a firearm in the crime. Days later, a judge also found him guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say Parker shot David Franklin Greenhow III in Fredericksburg on October 28, 2024.


Newslinks

Prince William Times: Brian Landrum, a Republican candidate for Gainesville District supervisor, has said he won’t take any donations from data center developers. But as recently as 2023, he served as treasurer for a political action committee tied to former county board chairman Corey Stewart that accepted a $5,000 donation from a local data center developer. More from Prince William Times.


Features

DOSWELL, Va. – If you’re planning to get spooked at Kings Dominion’s popular Halloween Haunt this year, you’ll need to shell out a little extra. The park just confirmed that Haunted Mazes—once included in regular admission—will now require a separate “Haunted Attractions Pass.”

According to Six Flags, the amusement park’s parent company, and fan site Kings Dominion Fanatics, the pass will be sold per night with prices that change based on the date and day of the week. At Carowinds theme park in North Carolina, also operated by Six Flags, a similar program starts at $10 per night, with an unlimited season-long pass going for $69—pricing Kings Dominion fans may also see.


Prince William

Update 11:30 a.m. August 12, 2025 – A 28-year-old man from Bealeton died Monday after his motorcycle collided head-on with a Jeep in Nokesville.

Police said the crash happened around 5:15 p.m. at Aden Road and Parkgate Drive. Investigators believe the driver of a Mazda minivan turned left in front of the motorcyclist, forcing him across the center line and into the path of an oncoming Jeep Wrangler. The impact sent both vehicles off the road.


Newslinks

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – The folks at Prince William County Public Schools just told Potomac Local News about some big wins for local students at the 2025 Virginia Junior Academy of Science Research Symposium. From middle school to high school, these young scientists brought home top awards in fields ranging from animal science to engineering and psychology.

Forest Park High School’s Anuj Dahal, Kevin DiMattina, and Oguzkhan Kutlan took first place in Physics & Astronomy, while Rania Lateef of Colgan High earned top honors in Psychology—along with two special statewide awards in genetics and service. Osbourn Park High School saw multiple wins, including Sajeela Ahmad, who not only placed in Zoology but was also named next year’s VJAS Editor-in-Chief.


Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The folks at the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS just told Potomac Local News that home prices in our region hit an all-time high last month—even as sales slowed and homes took longer to sell.

July’s median home price reached $490,000, a 3% jump from last year’s $473,740. That’s despite local agents saying the pace of deals has cooled a bit. A total of 543 homes sold—slightly more than last July—and total sales volume surged over 11% to nearly $298.9 million.


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