Originals - Page 25 of 431 - Potomac Local News

Speed camera enforcement pilot program launches in Prince William County school zones

Published February 5, 2024 at 4:28PM | Updated February 11, 2024 at 8:57AM

The Prince William County Department of Transportation is set to initiate the Automated Traffic Enforcement Pilot Program, which will place speed cameras in selected school zones across the county. The program aims to enhance residents’ safety by implementing measures to reduce severe injuries and fatalities on county roads.

The initial school zones where automated enforcement will be deployed include Battlefield High School on Route 15, Woodbridge High School and Old Bridge Elementary School on Old Bridge Road, Fitzgerald Elementary School on Benita Fitzgerald Drive, and Patriot High School and T. Clay Wood Elementary School on Kettle Run Road. More school zones will be added to the program in the coming months.

Manassas City School Board Members call for grading policy reevaluation to boost Metz Middle School performance

By Letters to the Editor

Published February 4, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated February 5, 2024 at 11:18AM

A Manassas City Public Schools teacher and students [Photo: Manassas City Public Schools]

We write to you as individual members of the Manassas City School Board regarding the recent article “Metz Middle scores decline…” and the significant online discussion that ensued.

However, we reject the notion that a high share of ESOL students inevitably condemns Metz to its current level of performance. To move forward, we must thoughtfully and accurately identify the problems facing our middle school, and we firmly believe that our students can achieve at a higher level.

Exclusive interview: Taylor family welcomes I-66 Express Lanes miracle baby, thanks emergency crews for roadside assistance

By Mike Salmon

Published February 2, 2024 at 3:11PM | Updated February 4, 2024 at 8:23AM

Baby Audrey and “Trooper Teddy,” a gift from Virginia State Police. [Submitted photo]

“It was crazy,” said Brandon Taylor, the father who helped with his wife, Joan, as the express lanes traffic whizzed by. “You hear the stories, but you never know someone that went through it.”

It all started about 5:45 on Tuesday morning, January 30, 2024, when Joan could feel the baby stirring. She woke up, woke Brandon, and he went into his pre-rehearsed motions, grabbing the baby bag they had ready and getting their three-year-old son out of bed. “Twenty minutes later, we were on the highway, and it was happening,” Brandon said.

Stafford school officials scrutinize ‘Power Hour’ following lockdown

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 2, 2024 at 2:33PM | Updated February 4, 2024 at 8:23AM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

Stafford County Public School officials are reviewing the division’s “Power Hour” lunch periods. High school students can walk around campus to have lunch with friends, study, meet teachers and guidance counselors, or attend workshops during these periods.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor said the power hour lunch was an idea introduced by students and allowed for the first time by the school division for the 2022-23 school year.

Major drug and firearms bust in Manassas: Four arrested in coordinated operation

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 2, 2024 at 1:54PM | Updated February 4, 2024 at 8:23AM

In a joint operation, the Manassas City Police Department, working in collaboration with the Prince William County Vice Narcotics Task Force, Prince William County Street Crimes Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), successfully executed arrest and search warrants leading to the apprehension of four individuals involved in the possession and distribution of narcotics, as well as illegal possession of firearms within Manassas.

During the operation, law enforcement arrested four individuals, revealing a significant cache of illegal narcotics and firearms in their possession. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed at a home in Manassas, resulting in the seizure of additional contraband, Manassas police state in a press release.

Woodbridge civic assoc. to discuss Featherstone shopping center redevelopment, trails

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 2, 2024 at 9:10AM | Updated August 28, 2024 at 7:42AM

Occoquan Greenway Bridge Offers New Trail Connection for Pedestrians and Bicyclists [Photo: Prince William County Parks and Rec]

Featherstone shopping center redevelopment

Joe Jacobs, Vice President at Elm Street Communities, will take the floor to present plans for partially redeveloping the Featherstone shopping center. The ambitious project includes adding a new coffee shop, housing units, and revitalizing part of the vacant commercial space adjacent to Gabe’s clothing store.

Raising Cane’s a sign of life at long-stalled The Garrison

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 2, 2024 at 5:00AM | Updated February 4, 2024 at 8:25AM

Approval of the CUP is a crucial step for the restaurant that sells only chicken tenders, to move forward with construction. Supervisors will discuss the case at their public meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, inside the county government center at 1300 Courthouse Road.

The development would sit near the intersection of Garrisonville Road (Route 610) and Travis Lane, across from a Dunkin Donuts. Plans include a single-story, 3,077-square-foot building with a drive-through. Access to the site will be facilitated through a new entrance along internal shared access roads, with no direct access to Route 610. The property, spanning 1.16 acres, is part of the larger 44-acre Garrison at Stafford development.

HVAC troubles plague Prince William County’s $17 million animal shelter

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 1, 2024 at 3:57PM | Updated February 4, 2024 at 8:25AM

Prince William County Animal Services Center.

Updated 7:30 a.m. Feb. 2, 2024 — Residents and officials in Prince William County are grappling with HVAC issues at the recently constructed $17 million Animal Shelter, which opened its doors a year and a half ago in November 2022.

An anonymous complaint prompted action from the Police Department, which raised concerns about unacceptable temperatures and humidity levels in various areas of the Animal Services Center.

Manassas police form partnership, transform safety at Canterbury Village

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 1, 2024 at 3:22PM | Updated February 4, 2024 at 8:25AM

Canterbury Square shopping center in Manassas. [Photo: Xiao-Yin]

A collaborative effort between the Manassas City Police Department, private security firms, and local businesses has significantly improved Canterbury Village shopping center safety.

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Harmonies and high notes: Behind the scenes of ‘Jersey Boys’ at Riverside Center, with a hit cocktail to match

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 1, 2024 at 1:14PM | Updated February 4, 2024 at 8:25AM

"Jersey Boys" at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. [Photo; Suzzane Carr Rossi]

Bloom plays Bob Gaudio, who Gaudio wrote or co-wrote and produced the majority of The Four Seasons’ music, including hits like “Sherry” and “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night).” Cooper plays Nick Massi, the band’s bass singer, songwriter, and bass guitarist.

Both cast members talked about the challenges of singing the iconic Four Seasons songs, the intricate harmonies, and the unique voices each cast member brings to the performance.