News - Page 252 of 1915 - Potomac Local News

Code Red air quality just declared this afternoon, Monday, July 17, 2023; Code Orange tomorrow

Published July 17, 2023 at 4:04PM

[Photo by Jan Huber on Unsplash]

“This message is generated based on the latest hourly air pollution measurements to estimate the day’s cumulative air quality conditions. Due to federal health guidelines that determine how pollutants are averaged and calculated, this message does not necessarily mean a violation of federal health standards occurred. A sudden change in weather such as an upcoming thunderstorm may reduce the chance of pollution levels reaching unhealthy conditions.”

Code Orange forecast for Tuesday, July 18, 2023: “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for the metropolitan Washington region tomorrow: Tuesday, July 18. Smoke coming from wildfires in Canada will contribute to the increased levels of fine particle pollution. The Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including older adults, children, and people with heart or lung disease.”

Stafford nabs driver after rainy night pursuit

By Amelia Breeden

Published July 17, 2023 at 2:32PM

A Stafford County Sheriff's' patrol car.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “Three suspects may be too young to remember Eddie Rabbit’s 1980 hit ‘I Love a Rainy Night,’ but they are certainly not loving the aftermath of a pursuit during a rainy night this weekend.”

“They could try to ‘Blame It on the Rain,’ but the driver’s poor decision-making led to his arrest at the conclusion of the chase. On July 15th at 9:30 p.m., Deputy C.R. Newman observed a southbound black Toyota Corolla traveling 53 mph in the posted 35 mph zone of the 2000 block of Richmond Highway.”

Today’s weather forecast | Sponsored by the ‘Fridays at 5’ Concert Series

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 17, 2023 at 2:03PM

National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington: “Drier today with slightly lower humidity as high pressure builds in. An isolated t-storm remains possible over the mountains as a front approaches this evening. The front will be slow to pass Tuesday-Thursday, aiding in additional t-storm chances.”

“This Afternoon: Widespread haze. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South wind around seven mph.”

Registration now open for MCMO Turkey Trot 10K and mile

By Madina Habib

Published July 17, 2023 at 12:00PM

The Marine Corps Marathon 17.75K run in Prince William Forest Park [Photo: Marine Corps Marathon]

Marine Corps Marathon Organization: “The Marine Corps Marathon Organization (MCMO) announced that registration for the Turkey Trot 10K and Mile will open to the public today at noon EST on marinemarathon.com. The event will run aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on November 18.”

“The 6.2 mile event celebrates Thanksgiving, providing participants one final calorie burning exercise before kicking off the holiday week. Interested runners are encouraged to make it a family affair with the Turkey Trot Mile, perfect for any aspiring runner.”

Lynchburg squeaks by Fredericksburg 12-10

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 15, 2023 at 10:34PM

Fredericksburg Nationals: “The FredNats trailed 12-2 at one point and nearly pulled off the comeback, but the Lynchburg Hillcats held on to win 12-10 in a rain-shortened contest.”

“Tonight began promisingly for the Freddies, jumping on Lynchburg in the home half of the first. Daylen Lile smacked his league-leading 20th double as the lead off man, then Cortland Lawson walked behind him. Lile was picked off of second, but Sammy Infante doubled after that to bring Lawson in with the first run of the game. Infante swiped third base, and came in to score when Paul Witt lashed a single through the left side of the infield to make it 2-0.”

Spike-strip success: Stafford deputy praised for stopping car

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 15, 2023 at 8:00AM

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “On July 13th at approximately 1:51 p.m. Deputy McAlister was in the area of Kings Highway and Cool Springs Road when the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to a vehicle pursuit. It was advised the King George County Sheriff’s Office was pursuing a vehicle, and that vehicle was about to enter Stafford County.”

“Deputy McAlister predicted the suspect vehicle would be heading towards the Kings Highway and Little Street intersection. He responded to the intersection and got ready to deploy his stinger, commonly referred to as spike strips. In a matter of moments, the speeding vehicle headed the exact route Deputy McAlister predicted, putting him in perfect position.”

Sheriff’s investigators track rape suspect to Peru

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 14, 2023 at 3:27PM

Stafford Sheriff’s office: “On July 6th, deputies responded to a sexual assault complaint involving a 10-year-old victim. Detective B.E. Abramaitys was assigned the investigation and began conducting interviews and obtaining search warrants. Felony arrest warrants were obtained for three counts of rape, three counts of forcible sodomy, three counts of aggravated sexual battery, and three counts of sexual abuse.”

“On July 7th a Deputy U.S. Marshal discovered that the suspect had fled the country. The deputy worked with Customs and Border Protection to identify the flight the suspect was on. Authorities determined the suspect was on a plane to Peru and were able to arrange for Peruvian law enforcement to be waiting as the suspect exited the plane and take him into custody.”

Local celebrity: KO Distilling releases ‘Evick Edition’ bourbon

By Madina Habib

Published July 14, 2023 at 10:39AM

Pete Evick and Bill Karlson

KO Distilling: “Manassas native, Music Director for the Bret Michaels Band, and Author, Pete Evick, has teamed up with Manassas craft distiller KO Distilling to release Bare Knuckle Evick Edition Bourbon.”

“This has been a deeply personal process to produce my bourbon,” said Evick. “We are bottling this bourbon at 98 proof to represent the year I signed my first record deal, and the barrels I chose from were filled during August, the month I was born. But the most important part is that the Evick Edition is produced in my hometown of Manassas, Virginia.”

Today’s weather forecast | Sponsored by the ‘Fridays at 5’ Concert Series

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 14, 2023 at 8:14AM

National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington: “Showers and t-storms, a few of which could be severe, are likely mainly during the afternoon & evening hours the next few days. Chances will be somewhat lower Monday, but a few pop-up showers/t-storms can’t be completely ruled out during the afternoon.”

“Today: A slight chance of showers before 11 am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 am and 2 pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind around 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.”

Office vacancy rates increase in Manassas

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 13, 2023 at 3:21PM

Manassas Public Schools HQ at 8700 Centreville Road.

Manassas Economic Development Department: “While the City remained insulated from major shocks in its office market coming out of the pandemic, the first half of 2023 showed signs that change may be coming. Vacancy in office space grew to 6% at the end of the second quarter, up from a historically low 2.7% a year prior.”

“The data change comes as several larger office leases expire or are set to expire and marketing for those properties began this quarter (including the City-occupied Piedmont Building). Despite the increase, 6% vacancy gives Manassas the lowest rate in the Northern Virginia region by far, which currently has a 19.6% overall office vacancy rate.”