News - Page 113 of 1914 - Potomac Local News

Stafford Funeral Home Donates Refrigerated Trailer to Aid North Carolina Towns Hit by Hurricane Helene

Published October 10, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

Flood-ravaged Swannanoa, N.C. [Submitted photo]

The trailer, purchased initially during the coronavirus pandemic, was donated after a call between Gibbs and Tyler Puckett, Harwood Homes Funeral Home operator. The funeral home in Black Mountain, just five miles from the equally devastated town of Swannanoa, found itself in desperate need of body storage as the death toll rose. “We just wanted to help out in any way we can,” said Gibbs, who sent the trailer that arrived in flood-ravaged North Carolina on Friday, October 4. The trailer, worth $30,000, arrived that evening and is currently stationed at Puckett’s cemetery near his funeral home.

In addition to the trailer, Gibbs called on the community to contribute non-perishable foods, blankets, and other essential supplies for the affected area. NAPA Auto Parts in Stafford also donated a battery for the trailer, which runs on diesel and has built-in shelves to accommodate the increasing number of victims.

Marine Corps Museum Unveils Two Galleries to Public

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 10, 2024 at 1:00PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the Commanding General of Training and Education Command and Sgt. Maj. Stephen Griffin, the Command Sgt. Maj. of Training and Education Command, cut a ribbon at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle on Sunday. [U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Juaquin Greaves]

The National Museum of the Marine Corps unveiled two new galleries to the public on Sunday, commemorating the exhibits with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The galleries feature hundreds of artifacts from all major United States Marine Corps operations from 1976 to 2021, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. As the 250th anniversary of the Corps approaches, this new exhibit will showcase the most recent 50 years.

Gainesville Man Pleads Guilty to Diverting $12M from Air Force Contract

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 10, 2024 at 10:49AM

From The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia:

Two executives at a contractor for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) pled guilty to theft of government property after diverting over $12 million from an Air Force contract to pay for unrelated personal and business expenses.

Fredericksburg’s Book Festival Offers Insights for Independent Writers, Eyes Expansion

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 10, 2024 at 10:00AM

The annual Independent Book Festival returns to Fredericksburg on October 12, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverfront Park. Founded in 2015 by local authors James Noll and Chris Jones, the festival offers writers a platform to promote their work, attend panels, and network with other authors.

Noll, who began his independent publishing journey in 2013, visited over 24 events in a single year—including comic cons, horror cons, and book festivals—in an effort to learn about the industry. “The travel was exhausting, but I realized nobody was hosting a book event in Fredericksburg,” said Noll. “So, I decided to make it happen.” He partnered with local writers Amy Bayne and Chris Jones to launch the festival. Though Bayne left the team in 2018, Noll and Jones continue to run the event.

Amazon Data Center Sparks Complaints from Manassas Businesses Over Construction Impact

By Alan Gloss

Published October 10, 2024 at 9:11AM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 1:41PM

In a view from within the Life Connection Church, construction crews perform maintenance on their vehicles in the Church’s parking lot. [Submitted Photo]

As construction continues on an Amazon Web Services data center on Technology Boulevard in Manassas, local businesses are raising concerns about the project’s impacts on their operations.

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James Madison Marketplace in Haymarket Eyed for Tesla Dealership

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 10, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated October 10, 2024 at 9:25AM

[Photo by Pixabay via Pexels]

The Prince William Planning Commission unanimously approved a special use permit for the project during its Sept. 11 meeting. Measuring 50,215 square feet, the dealership is planned for a 7.9-acre pad site due west of a Home Depot and will include over 300 surface parking spaces. The project has yet to appear on a Board of County Supervisors agenda.”

Prince William County Election Office Clarifies Voting Myths Ahead of November Election

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 10, 2024 at 8:00AM

Olsen

From Eric Olsen, Director of Elections, Prince William County Office of Elections:

Early Voting expands to all six locations across Prince William County starting on Sunday, October 13. Prince William County has the most weekend voting options and all satellite voting locations are open longer than any county in Virginia. Alternatively, you can apply for a mail ballot until October 25 at 5 pm. If you miss these options, you can still cast your ballot on Election Day on Tuesday, November 5 at your assigned polling place. Go to pwcvotes.org for locations, hours, and more.

Emergency Bridge Repair in Stafford to Take 10 Days

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 9, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

Route 1 northbound in Stafford County will be reduced to a single lane for emergency bridge repairs at Accokeek Creek starting around 9 p.m. tonight.

Crews will repair a bridge rail and section of guardrail damaged on Sunday, Oct. 6, when a tractor-trailer struck the bridge. The bridge over Accokeek Creek is located between the intersections with Route 628 (American Legion Road/Eskimo Hill Road) and South Campus Boulevard. The crash damaged around 41 feet of bridge rail, including six posts, and around 220 feet of guardrail.

Upcoming Film Screening in Lake Ridge: Local Filmmaker Showcases Fredericksburg in New Film “Written by Mike”

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 9, 2024 at 1:00PM

"Written by Mike"

Water’s End Brewery in Lake Ridge is set to host a special screening of “Written by Mike,” a film shot in the heart of Virginia that captures the essence of Fredericksburg and its surrounding locales. The screening is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, at 8:30 p.m. at the brewery’s Dillingham Square location in Lake Ridge.

Directed by Richmond-based filmmaker Ryan Cudahy, the film paints an intimate portrait of two couples navigating the tumultuous waters of family trauma and personal illness. “Written by Mike” is more than a narrative; it’s a therapeutic journey through the eyes of its creator. “I wrote this film as a way to deal with my own experiences with mental health and family,” Cudahy explains. “It was a healing process that took over five years to refine.”

All-Terrain Wheelchairs Now Available at Manassas Battlefield

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 9, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 1:41PM

The new all-terrain wheelchairs now available at the Manassas National Battlefield Park. [Photo courtesy of MNBP]

The manually powered wheelchairs have two mountain bike wheels and a manual lever to allow for greater access to visitors who may need the wheelchair to experience the battlefield. The chairs will be available for free each day the park is open.

“The all-terrain wheelchairs are the first phase of the park’s increased accessibility strategy,” Park Superintendent Kris Butcher said. “Providing equitable access for all visitors is an integral part of our mission. I look forward to continuing to provide more opportunities for all visitors to experience Manassas National Battlefield Park.”