Potomac Local News

Published September 24, 2025 at 6:00PM

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s William J. Howell Branch is celebrating 15 years of service on Thursday, October 9. A brief ceremony with refreshments will be held at 4 p.m. The branch is located at 806 Lyons Boulevard in Stafford County. Howell Branch’s anniversary celebration is open to the public and free of charge.

Opened in 2010 as England Run Branch, the library was renamed in 2018 to honor William J. Howell, retired Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and Stafford County resident. “Over the last 15 years, Howell Branch has become a community hub for inspiration, learning, and connection,” said Executive Director Rebecca Purdy. “The branch has grown and thrived—thanks to the incredible support from Stafford County.”

Stafford

Slugging in Stafford Rises Rain or Shine

By Press Release

Published September 24, 2025 at 4:37PM

A driver on who travels Va. 610 decided to let the world know about their commuting habits via their license plates (Mary Davidson/PotomacLocal.com)

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — GWRideConnect conducted its annual slug survey and observed significant activity at the Staffordboro and Warrenton Road Park and Ride lots.

At the Warrenton Road lot, surveyors counted 42 vehicles picking up 104 riders on Tuesday, September 9th. This marks the most substantial slugging presence at the Rt. 17 lot since before the pandemic. “Slugging at Rt. 17 is alive and well,” said Kerry McKenney, GWRideConnect Program Coordinator. “There is plenty of room for more commuters to join in, and many riders expressed interest in seeing greater participation.”

Prince William

15 graduate from Prince William police academy’s 61st class

By Press Release

Published September 24, 2025 at 3:00PM

BRISTOW, Va. – Fourteen new Prince William County Police officers and one Sheriff’s Deputy graduated from the county’s Criminal Justice Academy on September 24 during a ceremony at Grace Life Community Church in Bristow.

The 15 recruits completed a 24-week course covering everything from firearms and patrol tactics to legal training and crash investigations. Graduates will now begin patrol assignments across the county, with officers deployed in eastern, central, and western Prince William.

Prince William

Prince William Supervisors approve $113M bond package for parks, homeless Centers, and courts

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 24, 2025 at 2:00PM

The James McCoart Building at the Prince William County Government Center. [Photo by Uriah Kiser/Potomac Local News]

Prince William County supervisors signed off on more than $113 million in bond sales Tuesday to fund a slate of new parks, sidewalks, homeless navigation centers, and public safety projects across the county.

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Newslinks

Stafford voters sue to kick House candidate off ballot over residency dispute

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 24, 2025 at 1:00PM

Virginia Mercury: Three Stafford County voters are asking a judge to remove Democratic House of Delegates nominee Stacey Carroll from the ballot, arguing she doesn’t actually live in the district where she registered to vote and is running for office.

The petition, filed in Stafford County Circuit Court, contends Carroll lives at a longtime home in House District 23 while claiming a different address in neighboring House District 64 to qualify for the race.

Breaking News

Stafford High School Locked Down Twice After False Alarm—Second Incident in a Week

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 24, 2025 at 11:36AM

STAFFORD, Va. – For the second time in less than a week, Stafford County students experienced a school lockdown.

Stafford High School went into lockdown twice this morning, beginning at approximately 9 a.m., due to a malfunctioning alarm. Deputies and school staff confirmed there was no active threat. The lockdowns were lifted, and regular activity resumed. Parents arriving at the school were directed to nearby Chichester Park.

Stafford

Stafford’s House of Delegates Candidates: Balancing State Oversight and Local Authority

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published September 24, 2025 at 11:00AM

This fall, Stafford voters will head to the polls to elect their representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates. All 100 seats are on the ballot, including Stafford’s 23rd, 64th, and 65th districts. Potomac Local News continues to shine the Spotlight on our local elections, inviting all of the candidates from Districts 23, 64, and 65 to a virtual interview with the same five questions; their answers have been condensed into a series of articles.

The videos are available here. This is the final article in our five-part series.

Police Blotter

Shots Fired in Manassas Target Woman; Assaults on Officers, Indecent Exposures at Potomac Mills

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 24, 2025 at 10:30AM | Updated September 24, 2025 at 10:50AM

A woman in Manassas was targeted in a shooting where gunfire struck her home late last week, leading police to identify a suspect now wanted on multiple felony charges. Detectives say the suspect, a 35-year-old man with no fixed address, had sent multiple threats to the woman before firing several rounds into her Brandon Way residence on September 20. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Two separate assaults on police officers were reported—one involving a juvenile in Woodbridge on September 11, and another during a concert at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow on September 19. In both cases, the suspects were reportedly intoxicated and became combative with officers.

Fredericksburg