A 29-year-old man was stabbed at Mr. B’s Exxon on Warrenton Road on September 1, and the suspect, J’Lei Bland, 22, was arrested at a nearby home. Bland is charged with attempted murder and malicious wounding and is being held without bond.

The 29-year-old victim was at the Exxon to purchase items from the business. The victim and suspect knew each other, and this was not a random attack, police said.


Christian Whalen, 19, was fatally shot while attempting to break up a fight at a gathering on Spotswood Furnace Road in Spotsylvania; 18-year-old Kenneth Watson has been charged with homicide and is being held without bond.

Press release:


On Friday, August 30, 2024, the parking lot of Winners Church at 17877 Old Triangle Road transformed into a bustling center of health and wellness. Community members gathered for a comprehensive health fair aimed at providing crucial medical screenings and education to the uninsured and underinsured.

The event, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., was a partnership between Winners Church and Sentara Healthcare, marking a new collaborative effort to enhance community health services. This year’s fair featured a vital addition—a mobile mammogram van from Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center offering free cancer screenings.


Crews from the Northern Virginia Electrical Cooperative (NOVEC), along with contractors and support from other electric cooperatives, continue to restore power after a severe storm that hit Northern Virginia on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The storm caused significant damage, particularly in Stafford County and southern Fauquier County, leading to widespread outages and extensive repairs.

As of 7 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, NOVEC reports that the number of customers affected by the storm has decreased from 6,000 to approximately 430. In Stafford County, crews are focused on replacing broken electric poles and repairing downed power lines. Replacing a single broken pole can take several hours, especially when trees are down, and the ground is saturated from heavy rain.


Manassas Park Police, with assistance from Prince William County Police and their Cadets, have closed Signal Hill Park on Signal View Drive in Manassas Park. The park, located approximately a mile and a half from the home of missing mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt, is closed immediately. Bhatt, a frequent visitor to the park, has been missing, triggering extensive searches.

Authorities have established a command post within the park’s pavilion, which notably hosted a vigil for Kaffle Bhatt last Saturday, drawing 800 attendees.


Potomac Local News is excited to announce Aya Karouane as the newest intern joining our team. Aya, 16, a junior at Mountain View High School in Stafford County, brings a fresh perspective to our team of independent community journalists.

When asked about the importance of community journalism, Aya emphasized, “You can find news about major national stories anywhere, but it’s difficult to find reliable local news. Community journalism ensures that everyone has access to the news that happens in their own backyard.”


Yesterday’s storm brought high winds and heavy rains to a wide area ranging from Spotsylvania to Maryland. Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reports the Hartwood Area experienced heavy damage, with trees on power lines and Spotted Tavern Road closed due to hazards.

The National Weather Service reports Fredericksburg received between 2.2 and 2.9 inches. Prince William County ranged from 1.89 inches to 3.57; Woodbridge, Gainsville, and Nokesville all received over 3 inches of rain. Measurements at the Stafford Regional Airport showed 6.87 inches, and Falmouth received just over 4 inches. Fredericksburg received 2 inches.


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