Features

Presented at the Wind River Theater, the ARTfactory’s production of Cabaret has sold out nearly every performance. The final show with tickets remaining is set for Saturday, July 26 at 2 p.m., with a pre-show beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Audience members are invited to take a seat at a candlelit table just feet from the stage inside a space reimagined as the famed Kit Kat Club. Premier table seating includes the option to purchase wine from Nokesville Winery and charcuterie boxes from Pampas Fox Catering.


Prince William

OCCOQUAN, Va. – Christmas will come early to the riverside town of Occoquan as businesses and visitors gear up for a festive summertime celebration packed with holiday spirit, exclusive deals, and creative twists on winter traditions.

The town’s Christmas in July event returns on Friday, July 25, offering a full day of holiday-themed shopping, refreshments, and activities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nearly two dozen local shops, galleries, and eateries are participating in the event, each putting a unique spin on Christmas during the summer heat.


Stafford

STAFFORD, Va. – Eugene Loew is no longer employed as Stafford County’s Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism—just four months after he started the job.

According to records obtained by Potomac Local News through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, Loew was hired on March 10, 2025, at an annual salary of $175,011.20. His last day with the county was July 15, 2025.


Prince William

TRIANGLE, Va. – Community leaders, residents, and golf enthusiasts gathered this week to celebrate the newly renovated clubhouse at Forest Greens Golf Club with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Upgrades to the Triangle-based facility include a refreshed entrance with modern signage, an updated lobby and fireplace, improved grill room, fully renovated restrooms, a new pro shop, and brand-new furniture throughout the building. The improvements were funded through Prince William County Parks and Recreation’s Capital Improvement Program, part of a countywide effort to improve and modernize public facilities.


News

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Back-to-school shopping is in full swing at Potomac Mills mall, and this year, families can take advantage of Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday running August 1–3, 2025. During this weekend, items like school supplies priced at $20 or less and clothing or shoes costing $100 or less will be exempt from sales tax. Emergency preparedness items like generators and chainsaws also qualify for the discount. A full list of qualifying items is available at tax.virginia.gov.

At Potomac Mills mall, shoppers can enter the Back-to-School Shoe Giveaway from July 25 to August 3 to win a free pair of shoes from brands like Nike, Adidas, or Crocs. Educators can also enjoy year-round discounts at more than 20 retailers by showing a valid school ID. Additional savings are available through the mall’s digital coupon book at the mall’s website.


Politics

The chamber is one of several signatories to a public letter released July 23 by the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), urging business groups across the state to rally behind Mason and recognize its essential role in the region’s economic future. The statement calls on the university’s Board of Visitors to reaffirm its support for Dr. Washington’s leadership.

“Mason is a cornerstone of Northern Virginia’s economic strength, and its students are the future of our workforce,” said NVTC President and CEO Jennifer Taylor. “We support Dr. Washington because his vision aligns with the needs of our business community.”


Features

MANASSAS, Va. – A Luray-based painter with more than 30 years of experience will close out his solo exhibition with an in-person artist talk in Old Town Manassas.

Scott Hillman, known for his vibrant use of color and layered compositions, will speak at the ARTfactory on Saturday, July 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance at insidenovatix.com.


Schools

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – A new bill from Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Eugene Vindman aims to restore federal funding cut earlier this year from a program that supported high school students with disabilities in Spotsylvania County and across the country.

The “Charting My Path for Future Success” program—launched in 2019—was canceled by the U.S. Department of Education in February 2025, halting services like tutoring and mentoring for more than 1,600 students nationwide. Spotsylvania schools say the funding loss put them in a $2 million bind, threatening over a dozen staff positions and programs for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).


Stafford

STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County’s primary fire boat is back in the water and ready to respond after a crash earlier this summer temporarily sidelined the vessel.

Potomac Local News has learned exclusively that the boat struck an underwater object on July 4 while members of the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department were conducting routine training and patrol near the boat ramp at Widewater State Park.