Press Release - Page 9 of 119 - Potomac Local News

Dumfries Shifts Holiday Parade, Tweaks Concert Series for 2025

Published April 7, 2025 at 1:00PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

The Dumfries Town Council approved its 2025 events calendar during its April 1 meeting, finalizing several changes to the town’s lineup of annual events.

The most significant update is the rescheduling of the Holiday Parade. Traditionally held in December, the event will now take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The new date will help Dumfries avoid scheduling conflicts with neighboring localities and attract more marching bands and participants, notably Manassas, which hosts the region’s largest Christmas parade.

No Mower? No Problem! Goats on the Job at Old Mill Park

By Mike Salmon

Published April 7, 2025 at 11:00AM

The Good Steward Farm’s goat.

At Old Mill Park along the Rappahannock River, there are spots where the mowers can’t reach, and to send a landscape professional in there with a weed whacker could be dangerous, so Fredericksburg has sent in the goats.

They munch the weeds until the job is done, leave a bit of organic fertilizer, and then jump on the truck to the next job, clearing invasive species at the following location.

Cockpit Door Found in Loudoun County Field After Mid-Flight Incident

By Potomac Local News

Published April 7, 2025 at 9:40AM

Authorities recovered the cockpit door of a small plane Saturday evening after it detached mid-flight and fell into a farm field near Purcellville. No injuries were reported.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. Saturday, April 5, when a two-seater, fixed-wing single-engine aircraft experienced a mechanical failure that caused the cockpit door to rip off while in flight near the Round Hill area of Loudoun County.

Haymarket Police Chief Hosts Senior Summit to Empower and Protect the Community

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 7, 2025 at 7:00AM

Chief Allen Sibert of the Town of Haymarket Police Department is gearing up for the second annual Senior Summit, a free, one-of-a-kind event focused on empowering older adults with vital resources and protection from scams.

The event will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Park Valley Church, located at 4500 Waverly Farm Drive in Haymarket.

From Mexico City to Northern Virginia: Noris Churros Brings Sweet Dreams to Life

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 4, 2025 at 11:00AM

If you’ve caught a whiff of cinnamon sugar in the air and followed your nose to a gleaming churro truck, chances are you’ve stumbled upon Noris Churros — a new local business serving up the sweet, golden treats of Mexico City right here in Northern Virginia.

The name “Noris” is a loving tribute to co-founder Nora Sanchez, who, alongside her partner Marcos Vazquez, turned a dream into a dessert-slinging reality. Their secret recipe? A mix of authenticity, patience, and just a pinch of daring.

‘Too Many Lives Lost’: Judge Rebukes Drunk Driver in Sentencing

By Alan Gloss

Published April 4, 2025 at 9:00AM

Burns

Jose Rafael Lizama, a 48-year-old Manassas Park resident, was sentenced on April 3, 2025, to 10 years in prison, with five years suspended, for the 2023 death of Justin Burns. He will serve five years in the Virginia Department of Corrections, followed by five years of supervised probation. Lizama must also wear an ankle monitor for continuous drug and alcohol testing after release.

Four days before the start of his January 2025 trial, Lizama took a plea deal and admitted to striking and killing Justin Burns of Blackstone near Richmond while speeding and driving drunk on December 2, 2023. Justin was crossing the 8900 block of Center Street in downtown Manassas, near Old Town Sports Pub, just before 11 p.m. Police crime scene investigators determined that Lizama was traveling nearly double the speed limit in foggy weather when he struck Justin.

Meet Prince William: Q+A with Jennifer Patterson, Library Director

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published April 4, 2025 at 8:00AM

Welcome back to a Potomac Local News series, “Meet Prince William.”

We’ve started this series so Prince William County residents can get to know the important people working behind the scenes to make the county run smoothly and efficiently. This is an opportunity to learn from experts on the county. Potomac Local has asked each leader the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

Police Blotter: Road Rage Shooting, Armed Robbery & Church Drug Bust

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Published April 4, 2025 at 7:00AM

[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Dale Blvd & Forestdale Ave (Dale City) – April 2, 2025
A man was shot at during a road rage incident while driving on Dale Blvd. The suspect, described as a Black male in his 30s with dreadlocks, fired multiple rounds before fleeing. The victim’s vehicle was struck, but no injuries were reported. Police are actively searching for the suspect.

Wawa – 13303 Telegraph Rd (Woodbridge) – April 1, 2025
A clerk was held at gunpoint by a masked suspect demanding cash. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot. No injuries were reported. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 5’10”, wearing all black clothing and a ski mask.

Stafford Supervisor Meg Bohmke Announces Retirement, Maya Guy Launches Bid for Aquia Seat

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 3, 2025 at 1:00PM

Michele Trampe of Central Virginia Justice Initiative and Lisa Silver accept a proclamation from Chairman Meg Bohmke on behalf of human trafficking victims.

A shakeup is underway in Stafford County politics. Longtime Falmouth District Supervisor Meg Bohmke announced she will not seek reelection, while School Board Member Maya Guy declared her candidacy for the Aquia District seat on the Board of Supervisors.

During the April 1, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, Bohmke, who has served 12 years on the board and four years previously on the school board, said she is stepping away from public office.

Manassas Eyes $700K Cleanup Grant as It Prepares Downtown Site for Parking Garage, Hotel Project

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 3, 2025 at 9:00AM

Manassas is preparing to tap into $700,000 in state funding to clean up petroleum-contaminated soil beneath the former Manassas Ice and Fuel Company, Inc. (MIFCO) site. This will pave the way for a second public parking garage and a long-sought hotel development in the heart of downtown.

City leaders recently purchased the former MIFCO property next to City Hall for $3.1 million. Once home to an oil company, the site will eventually house a new multi-level parking garage—a critical component in revitalizing the city’s hotel plans following the 2023 demolition of the Old Towne Inn, which the city acquired for $5.75 million.