Potomac Local News

Published February 15, 2024 at 12:00PM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:23PM

Dr. Lisa Coons, VDOE state superintendent, and Dr. LaTanya McDade, Prince William County Public Schools superintendent (right) visit Leesylvania Elementary School in Woodbridge. [Photo: Coons' X account]

With cumulative grants to school divisions totaling $1.52 million, PWCS, in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), is set to establish registered teacher apprenticeship programs aimed at alleviating teacher recruitment challenges and fostering a robust talent pool within the community.

Expressing enthusiasm for the initiative, Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons stated, “I am proud to continue our commitment to helping school divisions find ways to put exceptional people from their own communities in their local classrooms.” Coons emphasized the pressing need for innovative approaches in addressing teacher shortages and highlighted the collaborative efforts with the National Center for Grow Your Own to tailor effective apprenticeship programs to local contexts.

News

FREE! Post your events to our Potomac Local News Event Calendar

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 15, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated February 15, 2024 at 11:44AM

[Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash]

Click Here to access the calendar, and click “submit your event” at the top of the calendar to submit your event.

The addition of the events calendar marks a return of the popular feature to Potomac Local News. The events calendar is part of a host of new site improvements that we’ve made since Thanksgiving 2021.

Features

Manassas Ballet Theatre marks 40 years

By Amelia Breeden

Published February 15, 2024 at 10:00AM | Updated February 18, 2024 at 7:41AM

Manassas Ballet Theatre celebrated a significant milestone on February 9, 2024, marking its 40th anniversary season. Established in 1983 by Leslie Gearhart, the academy saw a transition in ownership in 1999 when Amy Wolfe took the reins.

Under Wolfe’s leadership, a pivotal moment it occurred in 2007 when she donated the academy to the non-profit Manassas Performing Arts, Inc. This decision not only altered the institution’s name from Manassas School of Ballet to the widely recognized Manassas Ballet Theatre but also underscored its commitment to fostering artistic endeavors in the community.

Originals

I-66 Express Lanes driver finds office closed to public when he needed answers

By Mike Salmon

Published February 15, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated February 18, 2024 at 7:41AM

While driving through this confusing interchange at I-66 and I-495, it’s appropriate to play “Flight of the Bumblebee,” on the stereo with the volume up.

With a road project as significant as the Interstate 66 Express Lanes, having an office open to the public is ideal for those wanting to ask questions to an actual person and discuss future initiatives that impact hundreds of thousands of people in the I-66 corridor.

There is a certain level of complications, too, with the switchable HOV E-ZPass, so an office along I-66 outside the beltway is ideal. Only it’s not open and doesn’t appear to be in operation.

Prince William

Transit ridership rebounds slowly nationwide; Local services show encouraging upward trend

By Potomac Local News

Published February 15, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated February 19, 2024 at 9:01PM

Transit ridership has significantly declined across the U.S. since the beginning of COVID-19. Although now rising slowly, transit agencies still see a 22% drop from peak pre-COVID ridership.

Overall weekly ridership went from 196.3 million the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2020, to 152.7 million the week of Feb. 4-10, 2024. That’s according to reports from the American Public Transportation Association.

News

Historic Falmouth’s Counting House up for restoration in Stafford County

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 15, 2024 at 7:00AM | Updated February 15, 2024 at 8:30AM

Dating back to circa 1840, this architectural marvel stands at the junction of Gordon Street and River Road, holding within its walls a rich tapestry of history waiting to be revitalized.

The county has requested proposals (RFP) to restore this historic landmark, with crucial deadlines fast approaching. Queries regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing to Stafford’s Procurement Office no later than 11 a.m. on February 20. Subsequently, the final RFP submissions must be electronically lodged with Procurement by 11 a.m. on February 27.

News

Snow expected in the region | Water’s End Brewery sponsors our weather posts

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 15, 2024 at 6:30AM

Here’s what to expect:

Today’s Outlook:

News

Man charged with firearm possession after 911 call in Manassas

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 14, 2024 at 8:42PM | Updated February 15, 2024 at 8:30AM

Manassas City Police responded to a 911 hang-up call on February 9, 2024, about 7:50 p.m. in the 8600 block of Bruton Parish Court.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a group of individuals who attempted to flee the area. One individual was observed discarding a firearm under a nearby vehicle, leading to their immediate detention by law enforcement, police said.

Prince William

Prince William County Fire and Rescue graduates 23 recruits

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 14, 2024 at 4:15PM | Updated February 15, 2024 at 8:31AM

In a ceremony on Wednesday, February 14, at 10 a.m., the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue celebrated the graduation of Recruit Class 2023-2 at the Grace Life Community Church, at 9560 Linton Hall Road.

Battalion Chief Scott Arft presided over the ceremony, marking the end of months of training for the Fire and Rescue Technicians of Class 2023-2. These individuals completed 27 weeks of rigorous academic and physical training at the Department’s Public Safety Training Center in Nokesville, Virginia.