Opinion

Dear Editor,

My name is Bill Card. My family and I moved to Prince William County and purchased a home in August 1995. Two years later, I retired from the Marine Corps, and we decided to stay here. At the time, I thought politics was a dirty business, so I focused on new career options and went to work.


Health

Virginians who buy health insurance on the state’s marketplace could see big premium hikes in 2026, with most insurers proposing average increases of 20% or more — and one requesting twice that.

The State Corporation Commission says 10 insurers plan to sell individual marketplace plans in Virginia next year. Optimum Choice, Inc. has proposed the steepest average increase, 40.2%, according to SCC records. Rates in the small group market, which covers businesses with fewer than 50 workers, could rise an average of 11.2%.


Fredericksburg

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.


Event

Join us for a delightful Sunday afternoon at the BlackRock Center for the Arts as Cruise Planners Beth & Rod present a special travel-inspired matinee featuring the beloved film Under the Tuscan Sun.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


Breaking News

MANASSAS, Va. – Crews are working to repair a water main break that’s forced lane closures on Route 28 (Centreville Road) this afternoon.

The folks at Manassas Public Works told Potomac Local News that the break has shut down both northbound and southbound inside lanes from Liberia Avenue to Carriage Lane. Drivers should expect delays and plan to use an alternate route.


Stafford

 

This fall, Stafford’s voters will also choose their representatives for the School Board and Board of Supervisors for Garrisonville, Hartwood, Falmouth, and Aquia. George Washington, Rockhill, and Griffis-Widewater are up for election in 2027.


Stafford

Three suspected drunk drivers were arrested in Stafford County on Sunday night, including one woman allegedly driving with a cup of vodka in her console.

The first DUI arrest came at 5:20 p.m. on Stony Hill Road, when deputies say a driver crossing the double yellow line admitted she was “on a break from her family” and had been on her phone. She was also found with an open container of vodka and showed signs of intoxication. She was charged with DUI, drinking while driving, using a phone while driving, and a lane violation, and held until sober.


Traffic

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Heads up if you use Occoquan Road—you’ll need a different route this weekend. The Virginia Department of Transportation just told Potomac Local News they’ll be shutting down the stretch between Horner Road and Old Bridge Road from 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18. Crews will be installing storm drains as part of the big I-95 and Route 123 interchange improvements project.

Drivers will still be able to get to homes and businesses along Occoquan Road, but you won’t be able to pass under the I-95 overpass. The detour will send through traffic along Horner Road, Route 123 (Gordon Boulevard), and Old Bridge Road.


Prince William

Police said two men stole shoes from the New Balance store at Potomac Mills after a struggle with employees on Monday afternoon.

Police said the suspects were spotted concealing merchandise just after noon on August 11. When confronted, they fought with staff and ran from the mall with a pair of shoes. No one was hurt. The suspects are described as Black men — one wearing a gray sweatshirt and dark shorts, the other in a blue-and-white tank top and gray shorts. A police K-9 search did not locate them.


Prince William

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – The folks at Prince William County just told Potomac Local News they’ll host a September 11 remembrance ceremony next week to honor the 22 county residents killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

It’s happening Thursday, Sept. 11, at 9:30 a.m. at the 9/11 Liberty Memorial Fountain, right outside the county’s McCoart Government Center in Woodbridge. The event will feature the Presentation of Colors, the National Anthem, the Tolling of the Bell, remarks from County Chair Deshundra Jefferson and County Executive Christopher Shorter, a reading of victims’ names, and the playing of taps.