Potomac Local News

Published April 10, 2025 at 9:00AM

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 on April 1, 2025, to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) for the construction of a solar energy facility on a 36-acre parcel located at the southeast corner of Enon Road and Truslow Road in the Hartwood District.

The applicant, Enon Road Solar Farm and its representatives from Energy Systems and Applications (ESA), sought approval for two items: the CUP to operate a solar facility in the A-1 Agricultural zoning district, and authorization for the county to enter a decommissioning agreement.

Press Release

UPDATE: Resident Returned Fire During Shooting That Left Three Dead

By Potomac Local News

Published April 10, 2025 at 8:51AM

[Courtesy of Northern Virginia Police Cars via Instagram]

According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, a resident of the Olde Greenwich Circle neighborhood witnessed part of the incident and intervened in self-defense. The man told investigators he heard what he described as “rapid gunfire” outside his home around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8. When he looked out, he saw two individuals with long guns firing in the parking lot.

The resident instructed a family member to call 911, then retrieved a weapon from his home. When he stepped outside, the suspects were still shooting. The resident fired his gun, striking one of the suspects.

Publisher's Post

Feds Drop Charge Against Alleged MS-13 Leader; Vultures at Stafford Landfill Test Positive for Avian Flu

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 10, 2025 at 8:41AM

Federal prosecutors have dropped a criminal charge against Henrry Villatoro Santos, a 24-year-old Dale City man once named by Trump administration officials as MS-13’s East Coast leader. Despite headlines and official statements, court records reveal no confirmation of a leadership role, and the charge was dropped without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled. Villatoro remains in custody.

Podcast

PODCAST: Discovering Buckland Historic Center with Rob Orrison

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 10, 2025 at 7:00AM

In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, we sit down with Rob Orrison, Manager of the Prince William County Historic Preservation Division, to talk about the Buckland Historic Center, also known as Buckland Mill—one of the county’s most historically rich and least-known treasures.

Located just off Route 29 near the Fauquier County line, Buckland was once a bustling mill town dating back to the 18th century. Today, it’s the focus of ongoing preservation efforts aimed at restoring its historic charm and opening it up to the public.

Breaking News

BREAKING: Small Plane Crashes in Spotsylvania County, Two Occupants Injured

By Potomac Local News

Published April 9, 2025 at 4:07PM | Updated April 10, 2025 at 1:01PM

A small plane crashed Wednesday afternoon in a residential area of Spotsylvania County, marking the third major emergency response in the region this week.

Virginia State Police say the crash occurred around 3:08 p.m. in the 11000 block of Scarlett Oak Road, in the Chancellor area of the county, about six miles west of the Spotsylvania Towne Centre mall.

News

With County EDA in Place, Dumfries Seeks More Control Over Business Development

By Potomac Local News

Published April 9, 2025 at 1:00PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

The Town of Dumfries is considering forming its own Economic Development Authority (EDA), a move that town leaders say would give them more flexibility and control over how to attract, retain, and grow businesses within the town’s borders.

At its April 1, 2025 meeting, the Town Council received a detailed presentation outlining the authority and potential benefits of creating an EDA under the Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, passed by the state legislature in 1966. The act allows localities to establish Economic or Industrial Development Authorities (EDAs or IDAs) as separate legal entities to facilitate economic development.

Press Release

Woodbridge Man Indicted for Obstructing IRS, Failing to File Tax Returns

By Potomac Local News

Published April 9, 2025 at 11:30AM

A federal grand jury has indicted a Woodbridge man on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service and willfully failing to file tax returns over multiple years, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

According to the indictment returned in Alexandria on April 8, Omini Tete Riman, an information technology specialist, is accused of filing false tax returns and later taking steps to hinder the IRS from collecting nearly $400,000 in refunds he allegedly obtained under false pretenses.

Press Release

Stafford County Approves Renovations to Government Center Lobby and Board Chambers

By Potomac Local News

Published April 9, 2025 at 11:00AM

Stafford County’s George L. Gordon, Jr. Government Center is set to undergo major renovations following a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The $1 million project will expand and modernize the building’s main lobby and make critical upgrades to the Board of Supervisors’ meeting chambers. The Board approved a work order with Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc. to carry out the renovations, which are expected to take about eight months and conclude by the end of the year.

Schools

Manassas School Board Votes Against Collective Bargaining Proposal

By Potomac Local News

Published April 9, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated April 9, 2025 at 1:29PM

The Manassas City School Board has voted 5-2 against allowing collective bargaining for its employees, following a lengthy presentation and passionate discussion during its April 8, 2025, meeting. The decision came after board members weighed financial considerations and community feedback, including from Manassas City Councilwoman Sonia Vazquez Luna, a union leader who voiced her support for the proposal.

The vote on Resolution R2025-03 was preceded by an in-depth presentation from Associate Superintendent John Gefeller, who outlined the fiscal and operational implications of adopting collective bargaining. Gefeller explained that if approved, the school division would need to add six full-time positions, including a chief negotiating officer, chief legal officer, labor relations coordinator, labor specialist, budget analyst/payroll specialist, and administrative assistant.