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Stafford County Schools are equipped with multiple lockdown activation points that allow staff to immediately secure a campus in the event of a potential threat. When triggered, these points activate alarms throughout the school and simultaneously notify both Stafford Schools’ Safety and Security personnel and local law enforcement.

The activation was quickly confirmed by the on-duty School Resource Officer at Mountain View High School, who responded to the auxiliary gym after receiving unclear school radio traffic referencing that location. A large-scale law enforcement response followed, including members of the Stafford Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team who were still on duty after an unrelated earlier operation. Other law enforcement agencies with ties to the school also chose to respond to assist.

MANASSAS, Va. — To honor the legacy of the courthouse square and bring our community together, residents of all ages are invited to attend an afternoon of celebration at the first-ever Courthouse Fair on the Square from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Judicial Center, 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110.

Courthouse squares have long served as a symbolic heart of American counties. Their design and evolution reflect centuries of civic tradition, from colonial governance to modern community identity.

QUANTICO, Va. – A train blocked the only way in and out of the Town of Quantico on Wednesday morning, forcing Marine Corps officials to open a back gate that’s usually kept locked.

The train stopped at Potomac and Barnett Avenues, shutting down the sole everyday entrance to the town. Marine Corps Base Quantico said in a Facebook post that it opened Gate 3 on Broadway Avenue to let traffic flow while the crossing was blocked. The gate remained open until the train cleared, and officials later said traffic had “returned to normal.”

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The folks at the Fredericksburg Police Department just told Potomac Local News they’re gearing up for the second year of their Youth Academy—and they’re looking for young people to sign up now.

The 10-week program is open to teens and young adults between the ages of 14 and 20 who want a behind-the-scenes look at how local law enforcement works. Participants will meet every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. starting September 15 at the Fredericksburg Police Department on Cowan Boulevard.

A new event center in Prince William County is inviting residents to raise a glass — and maybe make a candle while they’re at it.

Confetti & Cocktails, located near Dumfries, celebrated its official ribbon-cutting on August 21, 2025, in a ceremony hosted by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.

Known for its Nashville-style hot chicken and signature smash burgers, the fast-growing chain launched in Woodbridge in 2023 and has expanded to more than 25 locations across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Its Manassas Park debut comes just weeks after the All American Steakhouse opened nearby, signaling new momentum in the city’s plan to build a vibrant dining and entertainment district.

City Manager Carl Cole said the restaurant opening shows how years of planning are beginning to take hold. “The plan has been working to develop the downtown, and Nash & Smashed is just the latest in a string of success stories,” Cole said. “We’ve brought in several hundred units of housing, and we have about 450 more on the books within walking distance. That customer base sustains businesses and builds our tax base. It really is an ecosystem that works together.”