Prince William

Two Northern Virginia nonprofits — Northern Virginia Food Rescue (NOVA-FR) in Manassas and Fauquier FISH in Warrenton — received a massive food delivery earlier this month to support local families facing hunger. Each organization was given 18,000 pounds of food and pantry staples on December 11 as part of a national initiative by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The donation marks the first in the Washington, D.C. area from the Church’s America250 campaign, which pledges to donate 250 semi-trucks of food to food pantries across the U.S. by the end of 2026. Items included peanut butter, pancake mix, canned vegetables, pasta and more.


Features

“New this year, DCR will be hosting a few guided hikes at natural area preserves, which are managed by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program,” DCR stated. “Visit the special event website for more information on how to reserve your spot for this unique way to kick off the new year.”

Virginia State Parks will offer a wide range of First Day Hike activities on January 1, including midnight hikes at Pocahontas and Lake Anna, sunrise hikes at parks such as Widewater and Sky Meadows, wildlife and history-themed hikes, and special dog-friendly programs at select locations. Visitors will receive a commemorative sticker while supplies last, and most parks will host multiple guided hikes and programs throughout the day. A full list of hikes and details is available on the DCR website.


Opinion

Donald Trump’s name is now affixed to one of Washington’s most prominent cultural landmarks.

Last week, the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted to add Trump’s name to the building, quickly installing new signage and igniting a national debate over presidential legacy, cultural institutions, and political symbolism.


Podcast

Prince William County Supervisor Victor Angry says the county must continue approving new housing, even as residents raise concerns about traffic, schools, and infrastructure, arguing that Northern Virginia’s housing shortage leaves local leaders with few alternatives.

Angry, who represents the Neabsco District on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, joined Potomac Local News founder and publisher Uriah Kiser for a wide-ranging interview focused on growth, long-term planning, and several major development projects now moving forward across the county.


Prince William

Beginning Jan. 5, 2026, Prince William County Police Department radios will switch to encrypted transmissions, preventing residents, media outlets, and scanner apps from monitoring police activity in real time.

Police officials say the move reflects national public safety standards and is designed to protect sensitive information routinely transmitted during calls for service.


Stafford

Rock Hill Church Road is back open to traffic ahead of schedule after crews completed tree removal work at Aquia Creek in Stafford County.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced the reopening at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19. The road had been scheduled to remain closed through Monday, December 22, as part of preparations for a bridge replacement project set to begin in summer 2026.


Stafford

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 16 unanimously approved a resolution authorizing continued county action on the proposed North Anna–Kraken Loop Transmission Line Project.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg city staff presented a corridor redevelopment strategy to reposition aging commercial shopping centers along Route 3 and Route 1 as key sites for future housing as the city runs out of undeveloped land.

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Stafford

The annual Stafford Christmas Parade returns to Pratt Park on Saturday, December 20, 2025, bringing holiday cheer, festive floats, and community spirit to the heart of Stafford County.

Presented by Stafford Fair, the parade will step off at 3 p.m. Organizers encourage spectators to arrive early to secure parking, grab food, and claim the best viewing spots.