Catch up on major local developments and fun events across Northern Virginia, from data center debates and national school honors to live concerts, Oktoberfest celebrations, and sweet treats from Cupcake Heaven.
Newslinks
FXBG Advance: Amounts raised by candidates for Stafford Board of Supervisors so far this election cycle range from $11,120 to $300. The most recent campaign finance reports were due July 15 for activity through June 30, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. — More from FXBG Advance.
Fredericksburg Free Press: Paula and Robert Welsh are selling their six-bedroom, five-bath historic home in downtown Fredericksburg through a “write your way home” essay contest, with tickets priced at $200. Proceeds will benefit the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and SPCA if at least 15,000 tickets are sold. — More from Fredericksburg Free Press.
The Center Square: President Donald Trump announced Monday that his administration is placing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and activating the National Guard to address violent crime in the nation’s capital. The move, made under Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, includes sending 800 National Guard troops to the district, according to the White House. — More from The Center Square.
InsideNoVa: Democrat Elizabeth Guzman holds a comfortable fundraising lead over incumbent Republican Ian Lovejoy in the closely-watched House of Delegates 22nd District race. As of the latest filings, which cover through the end of June, Guzman had raised nearly $403,000 to Lovejoy’s $251,000. — More from InsideNoVa.
Prince William Times: Brian Landrum, a Republican candidate for Gainesville District supervisor, has said he won’t take any donations from data center developers. But as recently as 2023, he served as treasurer for a political action committee tied to former county board chairman Corey Stewart that accepted a $5,000 donation from a local data center developer. More from Prince William Times.
DOSWELL, Va. – If you’re planning to get spooked at Kings Dominion’s popular Halloween Haunt this year, you’ll need to shell out a little extra. The park just confirmed that Haunted Mazes—once included in regular admission—will now require a separate “Haunted Attractions Pass.”
According to Six Flags, the amusement park’s parent company, and fan site Kings Dominion Fanatics, the pass will be sold per night with prices that change based on the date and day of the week. At Carowinds theme park in North Carolina, also operated by Six Flags, a similar program starts at $10 per night, with an unlimited season-long pass going for $69—pricing Kings Dominion fans may also see.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – The folks at Prince William County Public Schools just told Potomac Local News about some big wins for local students at the 2025 Virginia Junior Academy of Science Research Symposium. From middle school to high school, these young scientists brought home top awards in fields ranging from animal science to engineering and psychology.
Forest Park High School’s Anuj Dahal, Kevin DiMattina, and Oguzkhan Kutlan took first place in Physics & Astronomy, while Rania Lateef of Colgan High earned top honors in Psychology—along with two special statewide awards in genetics and service. Osbourn Park High School saw multiple wins, including Sajeela Ahmad, who not only placed in Zoology but was also named next year’s VJAS Editor-in-Chief.
Fauquier Now — A Prince William County judge has voided the rezoning for the proposed Prince William Digital Gateway— a 22-million-square-foot data center corridor that, at full buildout, would have been the largest in the world. For now, the Aug. 7 ruling stops the project from moving forward under its current zoning. More from Fauquier Now.
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Fredericksburg Advance — A Fredericksburg City elementary assistant principal’s salary was increased following text messages between his father, a member of the School Board, and division superintendent Marci Catlett. In the text messages, School Board member Jarvis Bailey shared communication from his son, Matthew Bailey, laying out his rationale for requesting that he be placed at a higher step on the elementary assistant principal salary scale. More from Fredericksburg Advance.