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!

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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Fredericksburg

Parents Say Fredericksburg’s School Buses Still a Mess—Here’s What’s Being Done

By Uriah Kiser

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Parents packed a hastily called Fredericksburg School Board meeting Wednesday night to share stories of buses running hours late, confusing routes, and families left in the dark.

Several parents reported that the district’s new tracking app indicated children had been “dropped off” even while they were still waiting at bus stops. Others described unsafe stops on busy streets and long waits at schools while drivers tried to juggle double runs.

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Prince William

Roem, Lawson Push Supervisors to Drop Digital Gateway Appeal

By Uriah Kiser and Alan Gloss

MANASSAS, Va. – As Prince William supervisors prepare for a September 9 vote on whether to appeal the voiding of the Prince William Digital Gateway, voices on both sides of the political aisle are urging them to let the ruling stand.

State Senator Danica Roem (D–Prince William County, Manassas) said in a statement that the board should “cut its losses” and stop spending tax dollars on a case already rejected twice in court. She noted Judge Kimberly Irving’s remark that she did not expect the county’s appeal to succeed, and called attention to the vacant Gainesville District seat. “The people of Gainesville District once again do not have full and equal representation compared to the other magisterial district residents on what amounts to a hugely consequential matter,” Roem said.

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Manassas

Burgers @ Manassas Temporarily Closes, Promises Return

By Uriah Kiser

MANASSAS, Va. — A popular burger joint that brought D.C.’s Go-Go music flair to Manassas Mall is temporarily closing its doors.

Burgers @ Manassas announced the closure in a message shared to its social media accounts, assuring customers this is not a permanent goodbye. “Our Manassas location is temporarily closed, but this is not goodbye, just see you soon!,” the restaurant wrote. “We truly appreciate all the love and support from our community.”

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Police Blotter

Inmate Death, Abandoned Dog, Fatal I-95 Crash

By Uriah Kiser
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

A 59-year-old woman died early Tuesday morning after being hospitalized while in custody at the Prince William–Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center. She was booked on August 18 and transported to a hospital on August 25 due to a possible medical condition. Her health declined, and she died on August 27. Police say no foul play is suspected, and an autopsy will be performed.

Also in Prince William County, police are investigating a Felony Animal Cruelty case after a severely emaciated dog was found abandoned in a cage outside the Battlefield Animal Clinic in Manassas. Surveillance footage shows a man in a light-colored Lexus with Maryland plates leaving the animal around 4:18 a.m. on August 25. The dog, a tan and white Pitbull/Husky mix, was humanely euthanized due to its condition.

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