Potomac Local News

Published August 13, 2024 at 3:45PM | Updated August 29, 2024 at 10:28AM

Winners Church is partnering with Sentara to host the annual Community Health Fair on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 17877 Old Triangle Road in Dumfries. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with various health services and screenings available to the community.

A significant feature of this year’s fair is the presence of Sentara’s Mobile Mammography Unit, offering 3D breast cancer screenings from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The screenings are aimed at the African diaspora, African American community, and those who may face financial barriers to accessing this service. The event will also focus on raising awareness about breast cancer and other prevalent health issues.

News

Sumerduck Man Charged with Felony DUI After Head-On Collision on Warrenton Road

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2024 at 12:29PM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 10:45PM

We first told you about this crash, which happened on Sunday night.

A 31-year-old Summerduck man, John Bruton III, faces multiple charges, including a felony, after a DUI-related head-on collision on Warrenton Road, resulting in severe injuries to himself and an adult passenger in the other vehicle. Bruton is being held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail pending his release from a hospital.

News

Costs Balloon for Drew Middle School Replacement

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2024 at 12:23PM

The Stafford County School Board met on Tuesday, August 6, to discuss several significant capital improvement projects, focusing on school replacements, renovations, and new facilities. Acting Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Fulmer led the discussion, emphasizing the early stages of these projects and the need for careful planning.

One of the main topics was the replacement of Drew Middle School. The projected costs for this project have increased from the previously approved $96 million to an estimated $115 to $120 million. Fulmer noted that the increase is due to the higher square footage required, land costs, and off-site improvements requested by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “We’re anticipating having an architect on board in November,” Fulmer said, adding that the planning and design schedules are compressed due to the immediate needs of the school division.

Event

2026 Ocean, River Cruises and Guided Tours Showcase

September 19, 2026 9:00 am -2:00 pm

BlackRock Center For The Arts

12901 Town Commons Dr

Germantown, Maryland 20874

Website Contact Social

Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!

Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.

Prince William

Illegal Dumping of Hazardous Drums in Nokesville

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2024 at 11:43AM

The Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating two incidents of illegally dumping 55-gallon drums containing waste on Reid Lane in Nokesville, posing significant environmental risks.

The Hazardous Materials Team secured the site, and the removal of the drums is being handled by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Business

Long-Time Friends Open Storefront in Historic Manassas

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 13, 2024 at 10:00AM

Katie Baynard and Sara Hargrove at their new location in Historic Manassas.

Long-time friends Katie Baynard and Sara Hargrove have opened a storefront in Historic Manassas to host their businesses, Tilly & Teal Wedding and Events and Sarandipity Photography.

Eight years ago, the pair combined their collective talents and teamed up to make their mark on their respective industries. In 2016, Baynard launched Tilly & Teal out of her then-apartment above The Bone BBQ.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg City Flags Lowered to Honor Former Mayor Lawrence A. Davies

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 13, 2024 at 9:10AM

Mayor Lawrence A. Davies

The City of Fredericksburg is mourning the death of former Mayor Lawrence A. Davies, who served as Mayor for 20 years. Davies, Fredericksburg’s first African American elected official, served as a Councilmember starting in 1966 and as Mayor from 1976 to 1996. Davies passed on Sunday, Aug. 11 at the age of 94.

The city has lowered flags to half-mast to mark Davies’ passing.

Prince William

Local Students Represent NOVEC at National Co-Op Tour

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 13, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:45PM

Angela Goh, Vaibhav Dwaraka and Barbee Doerfler visited the U.S. Capitol while representing NOVEC at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Tour. [Courtesy of NOVEC]

Maddie Barbee Doerfler and Angela Goh from Battlefield High School in Prince William County — along with Vaibhav Dwaraka from Fairfax County — joined 2,000 other high school students, chaperones and staff delegates from 44 states in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour. The informational summit discussed electric cooperatives and took representatives on visits to historical sites and meetings with lawmakers.

Doerfler, Goh and Dwaraka were able to speak with Sen. Mark Warner while visiting the Capitol Building. Doerfler said she enjoyed speaking with the digital director of U.S. Rep. Gerald Connelly (VA-11) about issues she cared about.

Schools

Stafford County Parents Push for Responsive, Long-Term Superintendent

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 12, 2024 at 11:45AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:37PM

Stafford County School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund

The Stafford County School Board has provided a detailed timeline for its search for a new school division superintendent. During a recent board meeting, the consulting firm JG Consulting, hired to assist with the search, presented the timeline and key milestones.

The search is currently in the community engagement phase. JG Consulting has conducted meetings with various groups within Stafford County, both internally and externally, to gather input on the leadership qualities desired in the next superintendent.

Prince William

Fire and Rescue Crews Respond to Incident at Mountcastle-Turch Funeral Home

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 12, 2024 at 10:44AM

On Monday, August 12, 2024, fire and rescue crews from Prince William and Fairfax counties were dispatched to Mountcastle-Turch Funeral Home in Woodbridge’s 13400 block of Woodbridge Street. The call was received at 10:23 a.m. after reports of extra smoke coming from the funeral home’s chimney and garage.

Upon arrival, crews investigated the source of the smoke and found a malfunctioning crematorium. Initial information from the scene indicated that a body was being cremated at the facility. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.