From Potomac Mills mall

On Thursday, Oct. 31 children and families are encouraged to dress in their spookiest costumes to enjoy free candy and fun at Potomac Mills. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the mall will offer trick-or-treating at participating retailers, marked with a pumpkin sticker in their windows. Guests will also get to snap photos with Halloween characters roaming the mall and visit the photo station in Grand Court (near TJ Maxx) for more fun photo opportunities.


In the early hours of Sunday, October 27, 2024, emergency units responded to a fire at Site One Landscape Supply Company in the 13200 block of Farmview Road. The call was received at 3:01 a.m., and the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department crews quickly arrived.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a large mulch pile engulfed in flames. According to Assistant Chief Matt Smolsky, the fire has been contained, though it is expected to take several hours before it is completely extinguished.


Stafford County’s DMV Select, housed within the Treasurer’s Office, will temporarily close for renovations starting Monday, October 28, 2024.

While the DMV Select services will be unavailable during this period, the Treasurer’s Office will remain operational and continue to provide regular services such as real estate and property tax collections, dog license fees, permit fees, and utility charges.


A multi-vehicle crash involving at least one tractor-trailer led to significant delays and extensive road repairs on Interstate 95 southbound on Thursday, October 24, near mile marker 108 in Caroline County. The incident, which occurred at 7 a.m., resulted in the closure of all northbound lanes and two southbound lanes between exits 110 (Ladysmith) and 104 (Carmel Church).

Emergency responders and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash, which damaged the pavement. VDOT spokeswoman Kelly Hannon reported that a 150-foot section of I-95’s center and left lanes sustained gouges and burn damage, prompting an urgent need for repairs. Crews milled the top three inches of asphalt from the affected area, using 80 tons of new asphalt and 20 gallons of paint to restore the lanes.


The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Sunday night, October 27, as temperatures are expected to plummet into the upper 20s and lower 30s across the region. The cold front that moved through the area earlier this morning brought cooler and drier air, which will persist into the night. Winds will begin to weaken after 3 a.m. Monday morning, with high pressure building over the region, leading to mostly clear skies and light winds.

The freeze warning is a concern for areas where the growing season is still in effect. Residents are urged to take precautions to protect sensitive plants and vegetation.


We had a blast attending the Garrisonville Elementary PTO Trunk or Treat event on October 25! This free-entry event brought the community together for a spooky and fun-filled evening. Families enjoyed games, crafts, face painting, a photo booth, a spooky maze, and even a petting farm. The fire truck and various food trucks, including Taco Tuesday, Slap Food Truck, Fire Escape Burgers, and more, were great additions to the night.

The event featured wonderfully decorated trunks, including a mad scientist’s lab, dinosaurs straight out of Jurassic Park, and an under-the-sea adventure complete with a giant octopus! The turnout was incredible, with hundreds of attendees lining up from the parking lot all the way to the playground. Everyone was warmly greeted as they walked through the maze of creative trunks, gathering candy and showing off their amazing costumes.


We had a blast at Haunted Happenings in Downtown Manassas. The streets were closed to vehicles, allowing families to stroll and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Seeing so many creative costumes was a delight, and the business owners were incredibly welcoming. They greeted everyone warmly, handed out candy, and decorated their shops, making the experience even more magical. Many also invited us in for some shopping, adding to the day’s fun.

We’d love to see your photos from the event! Share your Halloween moments with us by emailing them to [email protected] or texting them to 571-989-1695.


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