News

State to Purchase Manassas Rail Line to Expand Passenger Service

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Mercury: “The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority has reached a new deal with Norfolk Southern to extend its state-supported Amtrak service to the New River Valley by 2028, while avoiding a costly tunnel upgrade and making it easier to eventually bring service to Bristol.”

“Under the new agreement, which the VPRA’s board of directors approved by a unanimous vote at its meeting in Richmond Tuesday, the state will also purchase Norfolk Southern’s Manassas Line and gain access to the company’s main line, also dubbed the N-Line — a move that is expected to increase passenger rail options for thousands of Virginians.

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A Renewed Mission at Habitat: Prince William Focuses on Repairs and ReStore Revamp

By Uriah Kiser

Habitat for Humanity in Prince William County, under the interim leadership of Steve Liga, is recalibrating its mission to tackle the unique challenges of expensive real estate and a community need for home repairs rather than new builds.

Liga, who stepped in as the interim director, detailed how his experience with other nonprofits led him to this role. He explained his immediate focus on stabilizing the organization’s financial footing and reconnecting with the community after a slow period exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Sentara to Open Virginia’s First Outpatient Cardiac Surgery Center in December 2024

By Uriah Kiser
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical center sits at 2300 Opitz Boulevard in Woodbridge.

In a significant expansion of its healthcare services, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is set to open a state-of-the-art Cardiovascular Ambulatory Surgery Center, slated to begin operations in December 2024.

This center will be the first in Virginia and will focus on outpatient cardiac procedures. This move reflects the shifting trends toward ambulatory (outpatient) care settings in the medical field.

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Stafford School Board Addresses Transportation Chaos, Blames Software Issues, Staff Shortages

By Uriah Kiser

In a meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Stafford County School Board members faced a litany of transportation issues that had plagued the district since the beginning of the school year. A beleaguered transportation system left 3,000 children—nearly 10 percent of the student population—without a ride to school.

On Monday, August 12, the first school day for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th-grade students, parents learned that some children would not have bus transportation. All Stafford County students were scheduled to return to classes the following day, and the problems continued, with about 1,000 students still without a bus.

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Multiple Homes Struck in Woodbridge Shooting Spree; Suspect Detained

By Uriah Kiser

On August 24, officers responded to multiple residential shootings in Woodbridge, where gunfire struck homes on Yawl Court, Lost Colony Drive, and Minnie Court, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old man, who faces charges including nine counts of attempted aggravated malicious wounding and three counts each of shooting into an occupied dwelling and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, with no reported injuries or additional property damage.

From Prince William police:

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New Evidence Found in Home of Missing Manassas Park Woman

By Alan Gloss
Manassas Park Chief of Police Mario Lugo speaking to media and onlookers on Wednesday night following a search at the home.

Chief Mario Lugo of the Manassas Park Police addressed the media on Tuesday, providing updates on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, last seen over a month ago. Her husband has been charged with concealing a body and is currently held without bond.

Chief Lugo confirmed that police executed a new search warrant at the couple’s residence Tuesday afternoon. “We located additional evidence today,” he said, without disclosing specifics.

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Manassas City Council Candidate Survey: Data Centers

By Caitlyn Meisner

As early voting for the fall 2024 election approaches, Potomac Local News is dedicated to informing the community about candidates vying for one of three open seats on the Manassas City Council and the mayor’s seat.

To help voters make an informed decision, we are continuing a new feature series, “One-Question Manassas City Council Candidate Survey.” This series will run throughout the campaign season, offering insights into each candidate’s stand on key issues affecting our city. Our third one, which ran on Aug. 16, focused on commercial airline services.

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STEP VA Announces Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” as 2025 Spring Musical

By Kelly Sienkowski
(Photo | STEP VA)

Fredericksburg’s STEP VA Inc. has announced Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” will be its 2025 spring musical. The organization, which empowers people with disabilities through artistic expression, has chosen the show as its fourth licensed musical, following previous productions like “The Lion King, Kids!” and “Seussical Jr.”

The STEP VA musical selection committee of 14 STEP VA participants ranging from middle school-age to adults worked together over four sessions to narrow down show options. The committee then presented the options to the production team, who made the final choice and submitted it to the licensing organization for approval.

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Big Mac Attack: Girl Faces Assault and Battery Charges After Demanding Customer Get Up from his Table

By Uriah Kiser
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

An intoxicated woman at McDonald’s on Garrisonville Road in North Stafford assaulted a juvenile after demanding he move from his seat, leading to her arrest on charges of assault and public intoxication, said police.

From the Stafford sheriff’s office:

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