Breaking News - Potomac Local News

Police identify victim in deadly shooting outside Alamo Drafthouse in Woodbridge

Published October 3, 2025 at 8:47AM | Updated October 3, 2025 at 11:28AM

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Police are investigating a deadly shooting that took place late Wednesday outside the Alamo Drafthouse at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center.

Officers were called to the 15200 block of Potomac Town Place at 10:48 p.m. on October 2 and found two men with gunshot injuries. A 21-year-old man, later identified as Jasiya Ahmar Vaughn of Woodbridge, had been shot multiple times and was found on the sidewalk near the theater. First responders provided aid, but Vaughn died from his injuries at the scene.

Reckless driver leads troopers on early-morning chase through Prince William and into D.C.

By Press Release

Published October 1, 2025 at 11:49AM

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A Virginia State Police trooper tried to pull over a reckless driver on Interstate 95 early this morning, but the driver took off—leading troopers on a wild chase through Prince William County and into Washington, D.C.

The pursuit began around 4:48 a.m. near mile marker 162 on I-95 southbound. The suspect exited at Prince William Parkway, drove through several county roads, then jumped onto Route 123 heading toward Route 1 and back onto I-95—this time going northbound.

Stafford High School Locked Down Twice After False Alarm—Second Incident in a Week

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 24, 2025 at 11:36AM

STAFFORD, Va. – For the second time in less than a week, Stafford County students experienced a school lockdown.

Stafford High School went into lockdown twice this morning, beginning at approximately 9 a.m., due to a malfunctioning alarm. Deputies and school staff confirmed there was no active threat. The lockdowns were lifted, and regular activity resumed. Parents arriving at the school were directed to nearby Chichester Park.

Man Hurt After Groups Exchange Gunfire in Dumfries, Police Say

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 22, 2025 at 7:06PM

DUMFRIES, Va. – Police are investigating after a man was shot during an exchange of gunfire in Dumfries on Monday evening.

Prince William County police said officers were called at 5:33 p.m. to the area of Old Triangle Road and Kearsage Drive, where they found an adult male with a gunshot wound. His injuries are considered non-life-threatening.

Mountain View High and Margaret Brent Elementary Go Into Lockdown

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 19, 2025 at 1:41PM

Mountain View High School in Stafford.

STAFFORD, Va. – Mountain View High School and Margaret Brent Elementary were placed on lockdown Friday morning after an alarm was triggered, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say there’s a large police presence in the area out of an abundance of caution, but at this time, there’s no direct threat to either school. Parents who feel the need to respond are asked to go to Margaret Brent Elementary.

Sears to Visit Prince William School Board After Arlington Appearance Sparks Viral Controversy

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 3, 2025 at 2:49PM

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears addresses the crowd at the Lincoln Reagan Dinner in Manassas, laying out her 2025 gubernatorial campaign priorities. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

MANASSAS, Va. – Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle‑Sears is headed to the Prince William County School Board meeting tonight, following a now-infamous appearance in Arlington that triggered a national firestorm and sparked bipartisan backlash.

Sears will appear alongside her lieutenant governor running mate, John Reid, national Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich, and the group’s Prince William County chapter chair. The group plans a press conference and rally at 6:15 p.m. outside the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center at Independent Hill, before the School Board meeting.

Judge Refuses to Stay Ruling Voiding Prince William Digital Gateway Rezonings

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 27, 2025 at 2:19PM | Updated August 27, 2025 at 3:38PM

MANASSAS, Va. — The court fight over the Prince William Digital Gateway reached a turning point Wednesday as Judge Kimberly Irving declined to stay her ruling that voided rezonings for the massive data center corridor.

Irving struck down the rezonings on August 7, finding that the county’s public notices ahead of December 2023 hearings did not comply with state and local law. County lawyers and developers had urged her to put the decision on hold while they appealed, warning that the ruling could stall plans for 37 data centers on 2,100 acres along Pageland Lane.

PWEA Hearing Set for Saturday—Now Virtual After GMU Declines to Host

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 20, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated August 20, 2025 at 5:10PM

MANASSAS, Va. – A hearing meant to decide the future of the Prince William Education Association, the largest local teachers union in Virignia, will go forward this Saturday. It will be held virtually after George Mason University declined to host the event.

Suspended PWEA president Maggie Hansford said earlier this week that members had been left in the dark. She told Potomac Local News that members only received a single email from a state-appointed trustee saying the hearing would run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at GMU’s Manassas campus. Members were also told they must choose either to attend in person or online, but not both.

That New PWCS Bus App? Still Down—And Might Be for Days

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 18, 2025 at 6:49AM | Updated August 18, 2025 at 2:30PM

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William County Public Schools’ brand-new bus tracking app still isn’t working—and now it looks like it may stay down for a few days.

The folks at PWCS just shared with Potomac Local News that the EZ A2B app is still offline and won’t be up in time for this afternoon’s school bus routes. The vendor says it may take “multiple days” to restore service.

Patrick Harders Wins GOP Primary for Gainesville Supervisor Seat

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 16, 2025 at 7:21PM

Harders/Landrum

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Patrick Harders just clinched the Republican nomination to run for Gainesville District Supervisor this November, winning today’s firehouse primary with more than twice the votes of his opponent, Brian Landrum.

The Prince William County Republican Committee announced Harders’ win this evening, saying he earned 1,838 votes to Landrum’s 840. The seat opened unexpectedly following the death of Supervisor Bob Weir last month.