News - Page 8 of 1911 - Potomac Local News

VRE CEO Rich Dalton to Retire After 16 Years of Service

Published June 24, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated June 25, 2025 at 2:37PM

Dalton

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Virginia Railway Express (VRE) CEO Rich Dalton announced his retirement at the VRE Operations Board meeting on Friday, June 20, 2025. Dalton, who has led the agency since stepping in as interim CEO in 2019 and becoming permanent CEO in 2020, will officially retire on October 3, 2025.

Dalton’s tenure at VRE spans more than 16 years, beginning in 2009 when he joined as Chief Operating Officer. However, his connection to the commuter rail service extends even further. Through his earlier work at locomotive manufacturer Morrison-Knudsen (now Wabtec), Dalton supported VRE operations from the launch of its first trains in June 1992.

Thinking About Teaching? Fredericksburg Schools Want to Meet You June 25

By Potomac Local News

Published June 23, 2025 at 7:30AM

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Fredericksburg City Public Schools is hosting a Career Fair on June 25, 2025, offering a chance for job seekers to connect directly with school leaders and learn about open positions.

According to Sue Keffer, Chief Human Resources Officer for the division, the school system is currently hiring for 21 teaching positions. Open roles include elementary general education, special education at both the elementary and secondary levels, a behavior support specialist, reading specialist, elementary school counselor, middle school science and librarian, high school math and theater, and several division-wide positions like school psychologist and speech pathologist. There are also openings for a Head Start teacher and an early childhood special education teacher.

How a George Mason Graduate Overcame Health Challenges to Accept Her Degree

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published June 19, 2025 at 2:30PM

Samantha Lewis (middle) walked across the stage at graduation four months after complications from medical treatments that left her without feeling in her legs. [Courtesy photo]

Lewis, since the beginning of 2024, has faced medical struggles associated with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, FND is a condition that is caused by changes in how brain networks work rather than changes in the brain’s physical structure.

Symptoms vary across the individuals who are diagnosed with FND each year, including seizure-like episodes, dizziness, speech difficulties, pain, numbness and movement problems.

Manassas City Schools Employees May Get Nearly 7% Salary Increase

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published June 16, 2025 at 1:15PM

The Manassas City Public Schools Board approved its new budget on June 10.

Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) employees may get an additional 1.5% salary increase for the 2025-2026 school year, pending School Board approval on June 24.

At the beginning of the budget process in February, the MCPS Board wasn’t able to even fund a 5.5% salary increase due to budget constraints from City Council and the Commonwealth.

GMU Grad Wins $13K for App That Connects Foodies and Restaurants

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Published June 13, 2025 at 11:15AM

GMU Costello School of Business Business Pitch Competition, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. John Boal Photography

Emmanuel Nwokeabia, a 2024 graduate of GMU’s Costello College of Business, took home the $13,000 top prize at this year’s Patriot Pitch Competition for his startup, Viralbite. His platform connects content creators—especially those who already post food photos—with restaurants looking to promote their dishes. Instead of relying on follower count, Viralbite rewards users based on actual engagement.

“What sparked the idea was seeing how hard it is for influencers to earn from their content, while restaurants pay heavily for photos and videos,” Nwokeabia said. “I thought, what if we connect the two in a way that benefits both?”

Gaming Industry Cash and Shifting Views: Where Virginia’s Lt. Governor Candidates Stand on a Tysons Casino

By Potomac Local News

Published June 12, 2025 at 1:15PM

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – In the final stretch before the June 18 primary, Potomac Local News analyzed campaign finance records and asked each Democratic candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor: Why did you accept or reject money from the gaming industry? And where do you stand on the proposed casino in Tysons Corner?

In the past 90 days, some candidates have accepted at least six figures from casino and skill game interests, including companies backing projects in other parts of Virginia. Yet at a recent televised debate, some shifted tone — either backing off earlier enthusiasm or emphasizing local control. Others have stayed firm in their opposition.

Downtown Fredericksburg Faces Crossroads: Modest Tax Growth, Soaring Rents, and Falling Foot Traffic

By Potomac Local News

Published June 12, 2025 at 9:00AM

A view of Downtown Fredericksburg from above Hurkamp Park [Photo: Fredericksburg City]

At a June 10, 2025, City Council meeting, Finance Director Amanda Sicks reported that meals tax collections are up 4.6% compared to the prior year, and sales tax is flat but stable.

“Meals tax is showing resilience,” Sicks said, noting a rebound in recent months following earlier delays in vendor filings. “But with sales tax flat and foot traffic down, we’re monitoring trends closely.”

Manassas Drone Company RapidFlight to Host Senator Warner

By Potomac Local News

Published June 12, 2025 at 7:30AM

Virginia Senators Tim Kaine (D) and Mark Warner (D) [Photo: Germanna Community College]

The visit, scheduled from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at RapidFlight’s headquarters, 9635 Center Street, will include a live interview with the senator and a Q&A session open to guests. The event is free and hosted in coordination with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, city leaders, and RapidFlight executives.

Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger confirmed the visit during her June 11 virtual address to the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, where she provided a wide-ranging update on city projects, economic development, and veteran initiatives.

Data Center Noise Still Shakes Homes in Great Oak, County Slow to Act

By Potomac Local News

Published June 11, 2025 at 2:30PM

Protesters gathered outside an Amazon data center near Manassas.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William County leaders are facing mounting pressure to address noise generated by data centers, as residents—many from the Great Oak subdivision—delivered passionate testimony during the Board of County Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

The board’s discussion centered on a long-delayed draft noise ordinance aimed at controlling the low-frequency hum emitted by industrial cooling systems at massive data facilities, including nearby Amazon Web Services (AWS) sites.

Residents Allege Timbering Violations, Hostile Developer Actions Near Proposed Stafford Data Center Site

By Potomac Local News

Published June 11, 2025 at 1:15PM | Updated June 11, 2025 at 2:56PM

STAFFORD, Va. – Residents living near a proposed data center site in Stafford County are raising alarms about logging activity they say violates local zoning laws, environmental protections, and community trust.

The controversy, first reported by FXBG Advance, centers on a parcel of land associated with the GWV data center project, owned by Augustine South Associates, LLC. Residents say the developer began clear-cutting trees on a portion of the 1,042-acre site beginning June 4, 2025—despite zoning that prohibits forestry activity and a proffer mandating tree preservation buffers.