Obituaries

Cathleen Carole “Cathy” McNeal, 76, of Alexandria, VA, passed peacefully on March 21, 2023. Born October 6, 1947, in Cheverly, MD, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Renee Chaffee.

Cathy was preceded in death by her husband, Timothy McNeal. She is survived by her brother, Jerry Chaffee; her children, Shannon Lirio (Ronic) and Tommy McNeal (Duncan Neasham); and her granddaughter, Natalie Lirio.


Stafford

STAFFORD, Va. – More than 100 people gathered at Embrey Mill Town Center on Friday morning as four Stafford County craft breweries unveiled a set of beers brewed specially for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026.

The announcement came during the Fox 5 Zip Trip broadcast just after 9 a.m., where the plaza buzzed with vendors, nonprofit groups, a police and fire presence, and a live DJ providing a festive soundtrack. Each brewery created a unique beer inspired by American history and available starting today.


Health

MANASSAS, Va. – UVA Health said it’s opening a new multispecialty clinic in Manassas. Starting Monday, August 18, patients can head to 8691 Stonewall Road for OB/GYN and urology care—all under one roof.

The move brings together two existing offices from Sudley Road and Forestwood Lane, giving patients a more convenient, upgraded space just minutes from UVA Health Prince William Medical Center. Appointments already scheduled will automatically shift to the new spot—no action needed from patients.


News

Eligible Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) high schoolers will now receive admission offers directly from George Mason University (GMU), a step in the institution’s expansion into the region through the Direct Admissions program.

The program, which began in the fall of 2023, was piloted to try to reach students who may experience challenges in pursuing higher education. The release from 2023 stated that if eligible, students would not have to submit an application fee, teacher recommendations or essays.


Police Blotter

DALE CITY, Va. –   A man was shot in the arm while walking to his car Wednesday night in the parking lot of Dale Forest Apartments, police say.

The folks at Prince William County Police just told Potomac Local News that the shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. on Whitmer Drive. A 51-year-old man was approached by someone who pulled a gun and shot him during the brief encounter. The suspect then ran off.


Stafford

STAFFORD, Va. – More than 300 Dominion Energy customers are waking up without electricity this morning after an outage in the Spring Lake Farm and Vista Woods neighborhoods.

According to Dominion’s outage map, the power loss is centered around Shelton Shop Road and Spring Lake Drive, affecting 319 homes and businesses. Crews are investigating the cause.


Stafford

The future of a proposed retail and auto sales center along U.S. Route 1 in Stafford County will be decided next week, when the Board of Supervisors votes on whether to grant more time for the project to move forward.

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Pets

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Looking to add a furry friend to your family? The folks at Prince William County Animal Services just told Potomac Local News they’re teaming up with the Prince William SPCA to host a free pet adoption event August 22–24 at the Animal Services Center on Bristow Road.

It’s all part of the national Clear The Shelters campaign, which has helped find homes for nearly 1.2 million pets since 2015. Locally, this annual event has already connected hundreds of animals with new families—and this year could be the biggest yet.


Originals

GAINESVILLE, Va. — The two Republicans vying to replace the late Supervisor Bob Weir clashed over land use, data center growth, fiscal priorities, and immigration enforcement during a candidates’ forum this week, just days before GOP voters choose their nominee for the Gainesville District seat.

Patrick Harders, a 24-year Gainesville resident and founder of a regional outdoor lighting company, and Brian Landrum, a historic preservation advocate serving on the Prince William County Architectural Review Board, met in a debate hosted by the Prince William Republican Committee at Guiseppie’s Restaurant in Haymarket, a haunt of the late supervisor. The forum honored Weir’s legacy, with both men praising the late supervisor’s bipartisan approach and focus on putting residents first.