News - Page 35 of 1909 - Potomac Local News

Prince William County Postpones State of the Parks Event

Published February 12, 2025 at 10:15PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:15PM

Prince William County Parks executives take questions from residents at the inaugural State of Prince William County parks event.

Prince William County’s State of the Parks event, initially scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Forest Park High School, has been postponed due to weather conditions and other considerations.

The State of the Parks event, set to feature insights from Prince William County Parks and Recreation Director Seth Hendler-Voss, will be rescheduled, with a new date and time to be announced soon.

“We want to ensure that all participants have the best possible experience and that the event can take place safely and under optimal conditions,” officials stated in their announcement.

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Winter Storm Blankets Northern Virginia with Heavy Snow, More Wintry Weather on the Horizon

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 12, 2025 at 11:05AM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:15PM

Drivers stalled on Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge as heavy snow began to fall about 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2025. [Photo: Gary Earles]

Northern Virginia saw heavy snowfall, with Manassas and Stafford County reaching 9.5 inches. More wintry weather is expected tonight as another system moves in. A cold front will bring gusty winds and dropping temperatures.

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Youngkin Issues Executive Order Banning DeepSeek from Government Devices

By The Center Square

Published February 12, 2025 at 5:00AM | Updated February 12, 2025 at 12:02PM

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) held a bill signing ceremony at Beanstalk, an indoor vertical farming company near Manassas. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

(The Center Square) – Virginia is the second state in as many days to ban the artificial intelligence app DeepSeek on state devices and state-run networks.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 46, citing security threats against Virginians.

“China’s DeepSeek AI poses a threat to the security and safety of the citizens of the commonwealth of Virginia,” said Youngkin. “We must continue to take steps to safeguard our operations and information from the Chinese Communist Party. This executive order is an important part of that undertaking.”

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‘That money is gone:’ VDOT Snow Budget Depleted After January Storm

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 11, 2025 at 10:51PM | Updated February 17, 2025 at 11:05AM

As another significant snowstorm blankets Stafford County with over six inches of snow on February 11, 2025, local officials grapple with the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) depleted snow removal budget, which was exhausted by a previous winter storm on January 5–6.

During a Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 6, 2025, VDOT Residency Administrator Kyle Bates warned about the agency’s financial limitations.

“That money is gone. It’s gone. Our snow budget was that one storm,” Bates said.

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Haymarket Police Introduce New Traffic Data Collection System

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 11, 2025 at 10:37PM | Updated February 17, 2025 at 11:06AM

The Haymarket Police Department has launched a new initiative to collect and analyze traffic volume data to enhance road safety and improve traffic management in town.

During the Haymarket Town Council meeting on February 3, 2025, Police Chief Allen Sibert shared findings from a speed sign installed on the eastbound lane of Washington Street, the town’s main thoroughfare. The data collected over the past six months revealed that the highest volume of traffic occurs during lunchtime hours, surpassing even the traditional rush hour periods.

“This data is invaluable as it allows us to better understand traffic patterns and adjust enforcement efforts accordingly,” said Chief Sibert. “We want to ensure our roads remain safe and that we are using our resources where they are most needed.”

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Marine Corps Mascot Chesty XVI Featured at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Celebration of Marines’ 250th Anniversary

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 11, 2025 at 10:13PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:16PM

On Monday, February 10, 2025, the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden featured a special appearance by Chesty XVI, the United States Marine Corps’ bulldog mascot. This presentation was part of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s (MCHF) celebration of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. Chesty XVI was accompanied by his handlers and MCHF President and CEO, retired Maj. Gen. James Lukeman, from the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico.

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Police & Fire Blotter: Incidents Reported Across Prince William, Stafford, and Manassas

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 11, 2025 at 9:41PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:17PM

Law enforcement and emergency responders in Prince William County, Stafford County, and the City of Manassas handled multiple incidents over the past several days, including a house fire that displaced a family in Woodbridge, two shooting investigations, drug-related arrests, and a series of disturbances and crimes.

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Manassas City Council Extends Tax Incentive for Micron Amid Questions of Mayor’s Relationship with Company Executive

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 10, 2025 at 11:28PM | Updated September 3, 2025 at 10:15AM

The Manassas City Council voted to extend a lucrative tax incentive for Micron Technology Inc. through 2035, solidifying the semiconductor company’s continued presence in the city. The deal, passed during the February 10, 2025, council meeting, ensures Micron’s annual tax payments increase by 4% while maintaining a lower tax rate than other manufacturers.

However, the decision has raised questions about a potential conflict of interest involving Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger. Multiple sources have indicated that Davis-Younger is in a relationship with Delbert Parks, Vice President and Site Director at Micron’s Manassas facility.

Parks is named in an official letter from the mayor, dated the same day as the vote, outlining the incentives offered to Micron. During the meeting, Vice Mayor Mark Wolfe alluded to the relationship, stating that “some of the comments floating around online are BS,” referring to speculation that the mayor’s ties to Parks influenced the tax break discussions.

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Prince William Supervisors Approve Data Center Near Unity Reed High School Amid Opposition

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 10, 2025 at 10:53PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:17PM

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved a 24-acre rezoning for a new data center development along Wellington Road, despite opposition from Supervisor Bob Weir and concerns about its proximity to Unity Reed High School.

On February 4, 2025, the board approved Rezoning #REZ2024-00042, NVA05C, changing the property’s zoning from agricultural and business districts to Planned Business District (PBD) to accommodate a data center. The site, located 700 feet southwest of Freedom Center Boulevard and Wellington Road, is part of Innovation Park, an area designated for high-tech development.

The rezoning application was submitted by STACK Infrastructure, which operates data centers in multiple locations across North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. Some key Northern Virginia locations include: Manassas, Ashburn, and Leesburg.

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Twin Lake Drive and Kensington Pedestrian Connector Project Underway

By Mike Salmon

Published February 10, 2025 at 10:27PM | Updated February 17, 2025 at 11:07AM

Fredericksburg is taking another step forward to become a more walkable community with the recent start of construction off LaFayette Boulevard, which is part of the city’s Twin Lake Drive and Kensington Pedestrian Connector project.

This $2.4 million project includes extending a 10-foot wide paved shared-use path along the north side of Lafayette Boulevard between Twin Lake Drive and St. Paul Street in the City of Fredericksburg. The path will be accessible, with ramps and crosswalks built where the route intersects with Twin Lakes Drive, Springwood Drive, Kensington Place, and St. Paul Street.

The project includes a paved access point to the Virginia Central Railway Trail from the cul-de-sac of Springwood Drive, and a bike repair station will be installed at Alum Spring Park.

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