Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The folks at VDOT just gave Potomac Local News the heads-up: expect plenty of overnight lane closures and daytime work zones in Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, and the City of Fredericksburg from Sunday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 16.

On I-95, crews will be milling and paving northbound between Thornburg (Exit 118) and Spotsylvania (Exit 126) and southbound between Courthouse Road (Exit 140) and Centreport Parkway (Exit 136). Police will direct traffic during the mobile paving operations.


Stafford

Stafford County investigators say they’ve identified the driver who struck and killed a pedestrian along Richmond Highway early Tuesday morning — and she’s on the run.

Authorities are searching for 21-year-old Gabriela Alejandra Bonilla Flores, wanted for a hit-and-run resulting in death. Deputies say she was behind the wheel of a white Audi Q5 that hit a 36-year-old man walking along the road near Foreston Woods Drive just before 2 a.m. Tuesday, August 5. The victim died at the scene.


Originals

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Virginia welcomed more visitors and more tourism dollars in 2024 than ever before, generating a record $35.1 billion in spending, Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Virginia Tourism Corporation announced this week. That’s up 5.4% from $33.3 billion in 2023 and marked the first time overnight visitation surpassed pre-pandemic levels. More than one million additional overnight visitors came to the Commonwealth in 2024 — a total of 44.7 million people.

Statewide, travelers spent an average of $96 million per day, up from $91 million the year before. Tourism supported more than 229,000 jobs in 2024, nearly 5,000 more than in 2023, and generated $2.5 billion in state and local tax revenue. Officials say that amounts to $990 in annual savings for each Virginia household.


Event

Join the New Dominion Choraliers put on a concert to honor the 250th Anniversary of the USA! The music in this choral concert captures the heart and soul of the American spirit through patriotic tunes and songs from the heartland. Joining the chorus are dancers from Dance Etc. School of the Arts and accompaniment from the talented members of Legacy Brass.

This family friendly and FREE event is perfect for young and old. Kids, parents, and grandparents will be familiar with many of the songs in this inspirational program. There are two opportunities to attend: Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 pm or Sunday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m.


Originals

Stafford County Public Schools officials say they’re more prepared than ever to get students to class this year, thanks to sweeping changes in the division’s transportation department.

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Originals

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Irving has ruled in favor of Oak Valley residents challenging the rezoning for the PW Digital Gateway, a proposed 22-million-square-foot data center complex near Manassas. According to InsideNova.com, Irving found the county failed to properly advertise public hearings on the project, effectively voiding the rezoning approval, though an appeal is expected.

The lawsuit, filed by 12 Oak Valley homeowners, named the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and developers H&H Capital Acquisitions and GW Acquisition Co. as defendants. The plaintiffs argued that the county’s hearing notices in the Washington Post did not comply with state or county requirements and that relevant application materials were not available to the public when the first ad ran.


Politics

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series by Potomac Local News introducing candidates for the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. This fall, voters will choose representatives for the Garrisonville, Hartwood, Falmouth, and Aquia Districts. To help local voters learn more about their candidates, Potomac Local News invited all Board of Supervisors candidates to a virtual interview with the same five questions. Their answers have been condensed for clarity. The remaining candidates either declined, had scheduling conflicts, or did not respond.

Videos of the interviews are available here.


Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The University of Mary Washington is now accepting applications for first-year students hoping to begin classes in Fall 2026—and those who apply early could land some of the school’s top scholarships.

According to a university press release, applications opened August 1 and can be submitted through the Common App or directly at umw.edu/admissions/apply. Early decision (binding) applications are due by November 1, while early action (non-binding) applicants have until November 15. Regular decision applicants have until February 1, 2026. Students who apply early are given priority for scholarships and admission decisions.


Features

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – International opera and musical theater performer Kelly Glyptis is returning to her roots this month, starring as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

Glyptis, who grew up in Manassas and graduated from what was then Stonewall Jackson Senior High School—now Unity-Reed High School—called the opportunity to perform back home “really special.” She previously toured with The Sound of Music in 2018 and now steps fully into the role for a limited run that begins August 20 and continues through October 26. Glyptis is scheduled to perform through October 6.