👋 Hello from Uriah
Happy Woodbridge Wednesday!
We’ve got everything from dancing debates in Dumfries to adoptable puffballs ready to melt your heart. The Occoquan RiverFest returns soon with boat tours and duck races, and the county is pushing ahead on big projects like Fettler Park’s makeover. IKEA’s celebrating a showroom refresh, and we’ve got all the local flavor in this week’s update.
💬 Social Media News and Notes
📵 PWCS talks cell phone policy for 2025–26
Join a live webinar on May 22 to explore PWCS’ new school-year phone rules, research behind the policy, and tools for managing device use at home.
Get the details.
🦆 Occoquan RiverFest returns June 7–8
From pontoon boat rides to Duck Splash races and kid-friendly boat-making, RiverFest has something for the whole family.
See the full lineup.
🛋️ IKEA Woodbridge shows off refreshed showroom
IKEA marked the moment with a ribbon cutting and $3,000 donation to ACTS, helping families in need with food, shelter, and crisis aid.
Check it out.
🎉 Events and Features
🎶 Party like it’s 1995!
Join Prince William Ice Center for their monthly Skate-In Movie Night on June 27—it’s a retro celebration you don’t want to miss.
Roll back in time.
🧠 Think you’re a trivia champ?
Brew Republic Bierwerks hosts trivia every week—bring your A-game and battle for beer-soaked bragging rights.
Join the fun.
⛳ New to golf or need to sharpen your skills?
Potomac Shores Golf Club offers personalized lessons for adults and kids, all week long.
Book now.
🎤 Music + food trucks = Fridays at 5
Fridays at 5 is back at Sean Connaughton Plaza! Enjoy live music, good eats, and a great community vibe every Friday.
Get the schedule.
📰 Local News
🧨 ICE contract stirs heated debate
The Board of County Supervisors voted 4-3 to let ICE continue training at a county facility, drawing opposition from residents and immigrant advocates.
Full story.
🤖 Finch robots = tiny coders at Kilby
First graders coded robots to dance and navigate mazes as part of a fun, hands-on lesson in critical thinking.
Meet the mini-engineers.
🏆 Occoquan’s trivia night opens with a win
“The Quizzards” dominated the first trivia night of the season at River Mill Park. Next round: June 20.
Congrats to the winners.
🏛️ Honoring a voice for small businesses
Dimitri Boosalis is being honored for his lifetime of work championing local entrepreneurs.
Read more.
🚔 No charges in officer-involved shooting
A grand jury declined to indict a police officer in the fatal shooting of a man on Davis Ford Road.
Details here.
🕺 Dumfries delays vote on dancing ban
The Town Council postponed a decision on a requirement that anyone under 18 be accompanied by an adult at outdoor concerts and festivals.
Why it matters.
🌳 Fettler Park to get major upgrade
A revitalization plan for the Woodbridge park includes new amenities and improved community space.
What’s coming.
🐾 Adoptable Pet of the Week
🐶 Fluffy Pomeranian mix pups need homes!
Four adorable and energetic fluffballs are up for adoption this week. They’re cuddly, curious, and ready to make you smile.
See the pups.
💌 We Want to Hear From You
Got a news tip, a photo, or an event to share? I’d love to hear from you.
📬 And if you haven’t already, sign up to get this newsletter delivered every weekday:
👉 Subscribe here
That’s all for now. We’ll see you later today at 4 o’clock with the day’s latest news. Thanks for reading and supporting local journalism in our communities.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Crews began structural repairs to the historic Renwick Courthouse bell tower on Monday, May 19, marking the start of a four-month restoration effort to preserve one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Scaffolding will be installed around the bell tower in the project’s first phase. Greensboro, N.C.-based WxTite, LLC was selected for the job following a competitive bidding process. According to city spokeswoman Caitlyn McGhee, the company was chosen for its experience working on historic buildings and its expertise in traditional restoration methods.
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You’ve told us how much you appreciate the local news we deliver every day.
Now we’re taking it a step further — by launching newsletters focused specifically on the towns we cover: Manassas, Woodbridge, Stafford, and Fredericksburg, and more!
Each edition will feature:
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Local headlines from Potomac Local News
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Funny or trending moments from social media
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Can’t-miss community events
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Stories submitted by readers like you
But first, we need your help.
👉 Tell us where you live or what town you care about most.
Tap a town below so we can send you more of the news that matters most — to you.
📍 I live in Dale City
📍 I live in Dumfries
📍 I live in Fairfax
📍 I live in Fredericksburg
📍 I live in Haymarket/Gainesville
📍 I live in King George
📍 I live in Lake Ridge/Occoquan
📍 I live in Manassas
📍 I live in Manassas Park
📍 I live in Woodbridge
📍 I live in Spotsylvania
📍 I live in Stafford
📍 I live in Woodbridge
🌐 I want it all — give me every town’s news!
Thanks for helping us grow local journalism, one neighborhood at a time.
– Uriah Kiser, founder and publisher, Potomac Local News
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
According to a press release on May 8, the county's Department of Economic Development and Tourism worked with outside firms Hunden Partners and Convergence Design to better understand the supply and demand in the area, the opportunities available in the corridor and what was needed to revitalize the area to create a Small Area Plan.
"The study notes that heavy traffic on nearby major roadways creates significant visibility for potential retailers, while the growing local population ensures a strong customer base," the release states.
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MANASSAS, Va. – A plan to allow backyard chickens within city limits has stalled after the Manassas City Council chose not to move forward during its May 20, 2025, work session.
The proposal resurfaced after growing public interest over the past year. Manassas previously explored the idea in 2021 but paused it amid concerns over noise, odor, neighborhood impacts, and enforcement challenges. Under current rules, chicken coops must be 250 feet from neighboring homes — making them nearly impossible on most residential lots.
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STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Newly added brewing equipment at Highmark Brewery in Stafford County takes this already-established name in local beer to another level. Moving beyond its menu of eight standards and a few rotating beer types, Highmark is setting a new note on the brew scene with the recent installation of three new fermentation tanks, three extractors, and a modern keg washer.
“To continue to expand, we needed to update,” said brewmaster Josh Alley whose been with them a few years as they waded through the ups and downs. With the new equipment, “we’ll be able to put new rotating styles out and possibly get back into canning,” Alley said.
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STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County will honor America’s fallen heroes with a special Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10 a.m. The event will be held at the Armed Services Memorial on the campus of the George L. Gordon, Jr., Government Center, located at 1300 Courthouse Road in Stafford.
This year’s program will feature a special appearance by The Old Guard, the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Regiment. Known as the Army’s official ceremonial unit and the escort to the president, The Old Guard performs military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, guards the Tomb of the Unknowns around the clock, and represents the Army at ceremonies in the nation’s capital and beyond.
Lester Evans, a retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel and President of Rolling Thunder, Inc., VA 3, will deliver keynote remarks. Evans, a Stafford resident, has long participated in the county’s Memorial Day observances and brings decades of military service experience, including humanitarian missions and operations during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
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WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Prince William County Parks is bringing back its popular "Fridays at 5" concert series for 2025. Starting this June, the series will feature five evenings of free live music, food trucks, and good vibes.
Held at Sean T. Connaughton Plaza in Woodbridge, the outdoor shows kick off at 5 p.m. and feature performances from local favorites like The Chocolate Factory Band, The Deloreans, and Whiskey Acolyte. DJ Moe Vibez spins between sets. Admission and parking are free.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring chairs or picnic blankets. Food and drinks, including beer and wine for those 21 and older, will be available. No pets are allowed, except for service dogs.
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Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
