GAINESVILLE, Va. – The Prince William Democratic Committee just told Potomac Local News they’ll hold a caucus next weekend to pick their nominee for the Gainesville District seat—and we now know the first candidate.
Jewan “Jack” Tiwari, a longtime Gainesville and Manassas resident, has officially announced he’s running for the seat on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. The seat was left vacant after Supervisor Bob Weir passed away in July.
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle‑Sears, the Republican nominee for Virginia governor, will make two stops in the Greater Manassas area today as part of her statewide campaign tour, “Operation Defend & Deliver.”
Sears is expected to appear at the 34th Annual African American Culture Arts Festival at Metz Middle School in Manassas between 12 and 1 p.m. The free, family-friendly event, hosted by the African American Foundation of Prince William County, runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features more than 125 exhibitors — including arts and crafts vendors, cultural retailers, youth groups, college and school exhibits, a Health Fair, Business and Job Expos, a Classic Car Show, and food vendors.
DUMFRIES, Va. — The Dumfries Town Council will vote on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, on whether to terminate its lease agreement with Historic Dumfries Virginia, Inc. (HDVI) — the nonprofit that has operated the Weems-Botts Museum and adjacent annex for over 50 years.
The proposed resolution appears on the Council’s public meeting agenda and, according to an email from HDVI, follows a 6-1 closed-session vote on July 1 to remove HDVI from the historic property and its annex, which also houses the group’s research library and visitor center. If approved, the resolution would effectively evict the organization from the town-owned property by mid-August.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – The At Home retail store on Sudley Road near Manassas will permanently close its doors this fall, following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by the Texas-based home décor chain.
Located at Manassas Mall, 8300 Sudley Road, the Manassas store is among 26 underperforming locations across the U.S. that will shutter as part of a corporate reorganization plan. According to court documents and multiple news reports, the company aims to close the affected stores by September 30, 2025.
MANASSAS, Va. – A 65-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter following a deadly crash that took place last weekend in Manassas.
Police arrested Jeffrey Fortman on July 31, five days after the crash that killed 72-year-old Earline Steward. The collision happened around 6:05 p.m. on July 26 at the intersection of Ashton Avenue and Godwin Drive. Steward, the only person in her car, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others from the second vehicle were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 38-year-old woman has died after being struck by a car in Manassas in mid-July. Carolina Isabel Rosales Cepeda was walking in the roadway along Centreville Road near Orchard Bridge Drive when she was hit by a southbound 2022 Honda Civic around 2:09 a.m. on July 13. She was hospitalized in critical condition and succumbed to her injuries on July 31. The driver, a 24-year-old woman from Woodbridge, remained at the scene and was not injured. Police are asking witnesses to come forward.
In Woodbridge, police are investigating the Death of a 26-year-old man found unresponsive in a bush near Cheshire Station Plaza on July 31. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No signs of foul play were found, and the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Denise Mara Spencer, 60, and Patrick “Pat” Henry Padberg, 81, passed away on July 25, 2025, leaving behind legacies of love, family, and service.
Denise, born in West Islip, New York, was a devoted Army wife and mother of seven. After a career as an optician, she dedicated herself to raising her family while supporting her husband Scott through 28 years of military service and 17 moves across the country. Denise cherished time with her children, five grandchildren, and loved simple joys like coffee, crafts, beach vacations, and family gatherings. Read Denise’s full obituary here.
MANASSAS, Va. – A brand-new theater troupe for young audiences is making its debut this weekend with a playful spin on a classic fairy tale. The folks at the ARTfactory in Manassas just told Potomac Local News that their new group, Actors Theatre for Young Audiences, is kicking off with The Sleeping Beauty—a musical packed with comedy, magic, and even a dragon.
Performances will be held at the Wind River Theater inside the ARTfactory on August 2, 9, and 16 at 11 a.m.—perfect timing for a morning outing with the kids. This isn’t your typical fairy tale: the show features quirky characters like Chester the Jester, Tipsy the Mystic, and a royal magician who accidentally turns himself into a frog.
