At Taste of Old Country, guests are treated to more than just a meal—they’re invited into an experience that combines European bistro charm with a curated gourmet market. Located at 10427 Balls Ford Road, near Manassas, this hidden gem offers a relaxed yet refined atmosphere perfect for everything from casual lunches to lively evening wine tastings.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

OCCOQUAN, Va. – A charming new boutique is now open in Occoquan’s historic downtown.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Updated at 4 p.m.

MANASSAS, Va. – The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is calling for stronger financial controls at the Prince William Education Association (PWEA) following a sharp drop in the local union’s cash reserves—from $1.4 million to just $63,000 in two years.

A letter from VEA President Carol Bauer, shared anonymously with Potomac Local News, outlines concerns from a recent internal review. The report shows PWEA is spending $53,000 more each month than it brings in and has accumulated $692,000 in credit card charges over a 20-month period.

“At current rates, PWEA might not be able to meet its financial obligations by the end of 2025, jeopardizing effective member representation,” Bauer wrote.

Despite the financial concerns, VEA has not taken control of the local union. Instead, it’s pushing a corrective action plan that includes a VEA-funded audit, new spending limits, and tighter restrictions on investment account withdrawals.

A VEA spokesperson confirmed the organization’s involvement in a statement to Potomac Local News:

“The Virginia Education Association confirms that we have communicated with Prince William Education Association leadership and members regarding financial oversight matters… VEA remains committed to supporting PWEA members and the important work they do on behalf of educators and students in Prince William County.”

As of this report, PWEA has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Gainesville District School Board Member Jennifer Wall told Potomac Local News she’s troubled by the situation and believes union members deserve transparency and accountability.

“While I do not independently have knowledge on the issue, and know only what has been relayed publicly through VEA’s communications, these allegations, if true, cause me great concern as a member of the PWCS School Board,” Wall said. “Our thousands of employees have a right to know how the PWEA is using their hard-earned dollars. If there is any fraud, waste or abuse by the PWEA, our PWCS employees not only have a right to know about it, but they have a right to hold their union leadership accountable. If the investigation shows that there has been any fraud, waste or abuse of employee funds, I encourage members to take action.”

Wall has consistently voiced concerns about collective bargaining and the PWEA’s leadership.

“It’s no secret that I’ve been a vocal critic of collective bargaining in general, and the PWEA’s approach in particular,” she added. “I’m on the record time and again, consistently expressing my concerns about the PWEA’s leadership, for precisely these types of concerns that VEA has raised with regard to fiduciary and financial responsibilities.”

Big Win, But Ongoing Tensions

The financial concerns come just months after PWEA and Prince William County Public Schools finalized a landmark collective bargaining agreement. Approved in January and celebrated in May, the deal expanded bereavement and parental leave, improved support for teachers changing grade levels, and continued the push for better compensation.

“When our educators have adequate employee benefits, they can devote their time and energy to their students and families,” said PWEA President Maggie Hansford in a school division press release.

But tensions between VEA and PWEA have lingered. In May 2024, then-VEA President James Fedderman launched a formal probe into PWEA’s finances and governance. Hansford fired back in a mass email to members, calling the move “an attempt to control and defame our union.”

Fedderman’s term ended in July 2024. Bauer, his successor, is now leading the oversight effort.

Hansford became PWEA President in 2020 and led the union through a VEA-imposed trusteeship in 2021 following previous financial and workplace concerns. Since then, two efforts to recall her leadership have failed.

Potomac Local News will continue to follow this developing story.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – It’s time for another Friday Family Movie in the Park event.

Prince William County Parks & Recreation will show Mufasa: The Lion King (PG) on a giant outdoor screen at Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, May 30. The free movie night runs from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., making it a perfect end-of-week outing for families.

The park is located at 14300 Veterans Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks for a cozy evening under the stars. The event is part of a summer series of free outdoor movie nights hosted throughout the county.

HAYMARKET, Va. – The Town of Haymarket is hosting a K–5 Open House on Friday, June 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Town Hall. 🎨

In a Facebook post, town officials invited local families for a day of discovery and fun. Kids will enjoy story time with the Town Council, create tie-dye crafts, explore Haymarket’s history, and participate in activities hosted by local groups, including Crossroads Arts Alliance. A touch-a-truck experience and more surprises are also planned.

The event is free and open to children of all ages, though activities are primarily geared toward those in kindergarten through fifth grade. Siblings and families are welcome.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – A woman was killed in a two-car crash Tuesday morning at a busy intersection in Woodbridge, police said.

The fatal collision happened just after 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27, at the intersection of Minnieville and Summit School roads. According to a preliminary investigation by Prince William County Police, the crash involved a 2020 Honda Accord and a 2021 Toyota Highlander.

Investigators said the Honda, heading southbound on Minnieville Road, attempted a left turn toward Summit School Road while the traffic signal flashed amber. The car crossed into the path of the northbound Highlander, and the vehicles collided.

The driver of the Honda, identified as Seema Rizvi, 45, of Woodbridge, had to be extricated from the wreckage and was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died. The driver of the Highlander, an 18-year-old woman also from Woodbridge, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and received treatment at an area hospital.

Police say neither drugs nor alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash. Charges may be pending as the investigation continues.

It’s National Burger Day, and local spots are rolling out the red carpet for burger fans! 🍔

In Manassas, Philadelphia Tavern is celebrating with their Tuesday Burger Day special. Guests can enjoy dine-in pricing on burgers starting at $8 for a specialty burger and $12 for a premium option, both served with their signature homemade chips. Want fries instead? Add them for just $1 more. It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a burger and a beer at this beloved neighborhood tavern.

Down in Fredericksburg, Eats Burgers is honoring International Burger Day with a sizzling deal — half off the Eats Classic burger all day long on Wednesday, May 28. It’s a one-day-only offer to mark the “holiday of all holidays,” and a delicious way to treat yourself.

National Burger Day is a food holiday celebrated in the United States to honor one of the country’s most beloved comfort foods — the hamburger. While its exact origins are a bit hazy, here’s what we know about how this tasty tradition began and evolved:

🍔 Origins of the Burger

The hamburger’s roots go back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While several people and locations claim to have invented the hamburger, the most widely accepted story credits Louis Lassen, a Danish immigrant in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1900, he allegedly served the first hamburger at his small lunch wagon, Louis’ Lunch, using steak trimmings ground into patties.

📅 When National Burger Day Began

National Burger Day, as celebrated in the U.S., doesn’t have an official government designation but has grown into a popular unofficial holiday. It is typically observed annually on May 28. The day likely emerged from food marketing campaigns and the cultural love affair with burgers, which are a staple at backyard cookouts, diners, fast food chains, and gourmet restaurants alike.

Over the years, restaurants began using the day to run promotions, showcase creative burger specials, and celebrate regional styles — from smash burgers to veggie and plant-based patties.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William County's Department of Transportation showed that its temporary photo-monitoring speed limit cameras have been effective in a recent Board of County Supervisors meeting, and is now requesting that they become permanent.

This temporary program has been in place since April 2023, but was implemented in early 2024 in highway work zones and school crossing zones. In July 2024, the Board voted to extend the pilot period until Aug. 31, 2025. Transportation staff have now requested that the program become a permanent fixture of the county.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.

OCCOQUAN, Va. – Leaf & Petal is welcoming customers to its new location at 204 Washington Street after celebrating a grand re-opening on Friday, May 23, 2025. 🌿

The shop has moved just around the corner from its former home at 201 Union Street, affectionately described as a “sweet little shop.” The new space carries a bit of local history — it’s where Ogle Harris began selling ice cream and later opened the Ogle Harris & Son grocery store in the early 1900s.

According to a congratulatory announcement by town Mayor Earnie Porta, Leaf & Petal has thoughtfully reimagined the space to include cozy seating areas both inside and outdoors, giving visitors even more reason to stop by, linger, and enjoy the charm of downtown Occoquan.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Mosquito monitoring is officially underway as the summer season kicks off. 🦟

The county’s Department of Public Works, through its Mosquito and Forest Pest Management Branch, has started trapping mosquitoes across Prince William County to track populations and guide targeted control efforts. The program aims to limit the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus and Zika, which are transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes.

The County’s approach includes:

• Monitoring adult mosquitoes using traps placed countywide

• Testing mosquito pools for disease

• Treating standing water to kill mosquito larvae

• Conducting educational outreach and property assessments

Residents can request a free site visit to check for breeding areas and receive advice on how to reduce mosquito activity around their homes. Common tips include dumping standing water from containers, cleaning clogged gutters, and keeping yards clear of debris.

More resources, including printable guides and contact information for free inspections, are available at www.pwcva.gov/mfpm.