News - Page 49 of 1912 - Potomac Local News

Seals on Wheels Returns: Circuit Court Clerk’s Mobile Services for 2025

Published January 25, 2025 at 11:02AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:39PM

The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk announced the continuation of the “Seals on Wheels” initiative for 2025. This mobile services program, led by Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline C. Smith, brings essential court services directly to community members in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. Services include marriage licenses, name changes, notary oaths, and concealed handgun permits.

The program’s 2025 schedule begins in March and will visit various community locations, including libraries and local events such as the Occoquan Riverfest and Haymarket Day. Residents can save time and money by accessing services at convenient locations. For updated schedules and information, follow the Circuit Court Clerk’s social media or visit their website.

Upcoming Road Work in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Surrounding Areas

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 25, 2025 at 11:01AM

Upcoming road work in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and surrounding areas includes several projects to improve infrastructure and ensure safe travel for drivers. On Interstate 95 southbound, the Exit 126 off-ramp in Spotsylvania will have alternating single-lane closures from Sunday through Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 a.m., as crews work to widen the ramp and add a right turn lane to Route 1 southbound.

In Fredericksburg, Wellford Street will see waterline work from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with flaggers alternating one-way traffic between Route 1 and Wallace Street.

Prince William’s Yesli Vega, Others Blocked by Virginia Democrats

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 25, 2025 at 10:20AM

Supervisor Yesli Vega greets Police Officer Carla Coleman as County Executive Chris Shorter and Sheriff Glen Hill look on. Vega provided the keynote speech. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

Jeff Goettman, Yesli Vega, Meg Bryce and Ken Marcus were among the appointees blocked.

When these appointments made it to the full Senate floor Friday afternoon, the debate lasted hours.

Dems propose bill to allow all public workers in Virginia to collectively bargain

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 25, 2025 at 9:55AM

“We need collective bargaining and we need it now,” Harry Szabo, an Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University said at a press conference on Friday.

Currently, public workers are allowed to join a union, but they can’t collectively bargain for higher wages or better working conditions unless collective bargaining has been approved by their locality.

Big Beam Weekend: Drivers Urged to Avoid Northbound I-495 Near Tysons Starting Tonight

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 24, 2025 at 3:36PM

Traffic disruptions and lane reductions are set to begin on northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Inner Loop) near Tysons, Virginia, as part of the 495 NEXT project’s Big Beam Weekend. The impacts will start tonight, Friday, January 24, at 9 p.m., and continue through 5 a.m. Monday, January 27. Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the area and plan alternate routes, as significant delays and backups are anticipated.

What to Expect

Contraception protections advance in Virginia amid renewed debate

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 24, 2025 at 3:25PM

House Bill 1716, introduced by Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, passed the House of Delegates on Thursday, while a companion bill from Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, cleared the Senate Education and Health Committee.

Last year, similar bills passed both chambers with bipartisan support but were ultimately vetoed by Youngkin.

Locked Gates: Manassas City Council Retreat Raises Open Meetings Questions

By Alan Gloss

Published January 24, 2025 at 3:19PM | Updated January 27, 2025 at 9:11AM

The Manassas City Council began its three-day retreat on Thursday at James Madison’s historic Montpelier, located over 80 miles south of the city. The event quickly raised concerns about public access after members of the public who traveled to attend the meeting discovered the venue was locked and inaccessible.

Virginia law mandates that government meetings remain open to the public unless they are specifically classified as legal closed-door sessions. According to Virginia’s open meetings laws, the Council’s work session and retreat did not qualify as a closed-door meeting, raising questions about compliance.

Trump International Airport proposed, renaming Dulles

By The Center Square

Published January 24, 2025 at 2:14PM

(The Center Square) – Changing the name of Dulles International Airport to Donald J. Trump International Airport has been proposed by freshman Congressman Addison McDowell, a Republican from North Carolina.

Rep. McDowell, 31, who represents the 6th Congressional District, introduced the bill alongside Reps. Brian Jack (R-Ga.), Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), Brandon Gill (R-Texas), and Guy Resand Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.).

Free school breakfasts move closer to reality in Virginia

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 24, 2025 at 2:08PM

Sen. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, and Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, are leading the charge after a similar effort fell short last year. Bennett-Parker’s bill was shelved by the House Appropriations Committee due to competing priorities while Roem’s Senate bill was following an amendment by Gov. Glenn Youngkin directing a work group to evaluate the program’s potential impact.

State health officials say Richmond water crisis was ‘completely avoidable’

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 24, 2025 at 2:00PM

“The water crisis should never have happened and was completely avoidable,” wrote an official with the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water in a notice of alleged violation issued Thursday. “The City of Richmond could have prevented the crisis with better preparation.”