Traffic

TPB defers decision, leaves I‑495 Southside Express Lanes out of Visualize 2050 for now

By Press Release

Today, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) voted to postpone a final decision and not include the I‑495 Southside Express Lanes project in the current draft of the Visualize 2050 plan. Visualize 2050 is the region’s long‑range transportation blueprint, and projects must be incorporated in it to become eligible for federal funding and approval.

The I‑495 Southside Express Lanes (SEL) was first proposed in 2023 by the Virginia Department of Transportation and would extend express lanes roughly 11 miles from the Springfield Interchange in Fairfax County, across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, to the MD 210 interchange in Prince George’s County. ([Virginia Department of Transportation][1])

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Police Blotter

Attempted Break-In at City Mart Leads to Arrest

By Press Release

In other incidents, vandalism occurred at Shoppers Food Warehouse where a bathroom door was damaged. Additionally, a fraud case was reported on Debra Drive involving unauthorized attempts to open a bank account using a resident’s information.

There were also reports of theft at My Eye Dr. and Walmart Neighborhood Market, where eyeglass frames and steaks were stolen, respectively.

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Prince William

Cease-and-Desist Letter Shows Tredennick Felt Threatened; PWCS Denies Her Security Request After Confrontation

By Uriah Kiser

Prince William County School Board member Erica Tredennick says Prince William County Public Schools denied her request to bring a personal security aide to a recent division event following her confrontation with Vice Chair Tracy Blake on October 1, 2025.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Council approves 242-unit conversion of former Mary Washington Hospital

By Uriah Kiser
The old Mary Washington Hospital at 2300 Fall Hill Avenue in Fredericksburg.

The Fredericksburg City Council has approved a plan to convert the former Mary Washington Hospital into 242 apartments, marking one of the city’s largest adaptive reuse projects in recent years.

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Features

Meet Prince William: Q+A with Eric Olsen, Elections Director

By Caitlyn Meisner

Welcome back to a Potomac Local News series, “Meet Prince William.”

We’ve started this series so Prince William County residents can get to know the important people working behind the scenes to make the county run smoothly and efficiently. This is an opportunity to learn from experts on the county. Potomac Local has asked each leader the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

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Schools

Data centers drive Stafford’s 2026–27 career program overhaul

By Uriah Kiser
Stafford County School Board

Stafford County Public Schools unveiled sweeping curriculum updates for 2026–27, featuring two new specialty centers, major state-mandated changes to career and technical education, and a redesigned program for English learners.

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Manassas

City Council Wants ‘Iconic,’ Not ‘Generic,’ Design for Manassas Shopping Center

By Uriah Kiser

After years of land purchases and community input meetings, Manassas officials on Tuesday released the first concepts to remake the city-owned Manassas Shopping Center — and immediately heard a message from the City Council: aim higher.

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Stafford

Stafford Board to Revisit Data Center Rules Oct. 21 After Residents Call for Tougher Limits

By Uriah Kiser

Stafford County supervisors will take up new rules for data centers later this month after a wave of residents urged the board to set stronger protections for neighborhoods, wildlife, and waterways.

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Traffic

New pedestrian crossings installed on Route 3 in Spotsylvania

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has activated new pedestrian crosswalks at four intersections along Route 3 (Plank Road) in Spotsylvania County, between Salem Church Road and Gordon Road. The upgrades are part of VDOT’s Statewide Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, aimed at reducing pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

Crosswalks and signal equipment were added at Gordon Road, Chancellors Village Lane/Single Oak Road, Old Plank Road/Five Mile Road Extended, and near the Salem Church Crossing and Chancellor Center shopping centers. Equipment is scheduled to go live overnight on October 15, with full functionality starting Friday, October 17. Pedestrians will now have a dedicated crossing phase, and new median refuge areas will allow them to cross in stages.

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