PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Looking to add a furry friend to your family? The folks at Prince William County Animal Services just told Potomac Local News they’re teaming up with the Prince William SPCA to host a free pet adoption event August 22–24 at the Animal Services Center on Bristow Road.

It’s all part of the national Clear The Shelters campaign, which has helped find homes for nearly 1.2 million pets since 2015. Locally, this annual event has already connected hundreds of animals with new families—and this year could be the biggest yet.


GAINESVILLE, Va. — The two Republicans vying to replace the late Supervisor Bob Weir clashed over land use, data center growth, fiscal priorities, and immigration enforcement during a candidates’ forum this week, just days before GOP voters choose their nominee for the Gainesville District seat.

Patrick Harders, a 24-year Gainesville resident and founder of a regional outdoor lighting company, and Brian Landrum, a historic preservation advocate serving on the Prince William County Architectural Review Board, met in a debate hosted by the Prince William Republican Committee at Guiseppie’s Restaurant in Haymarket, a haunt of the late supervisor. The forum honored Weir’s legacy, with both men praising the late supervisor’s bipartisan approach and focus on putting residents first.


DUMFRIES, Va. – Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Dumfries is shutting down this month—just four years after it opened as Northern Virginia’s first licensed gaming parlor. The Virginia Racing Commission just confirmed the closure, which is set to happen by August 20.

The move comes less than a year after the flashy November 2024 grand opening of The Rose Gaming Resort, a massive, resort-style facility just up the road. That opening was hailed as a “landmark of transformation and opportunity” in Dumfries—complete with a hotel, restaurants, and a much larger gaming floor. Now, Colonial Downs Group says The Rose will become its flagship, and all Rosie’s staff will transition to the new resort.


Updated 2:20 p.m. – A 61-year-old man died after being trapped under heavy machinery at a construction site near Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road in Woodbridge on August 13. Emergency responders pronounced the man dead at the scene. Authorities say no foul play is suspected, and the case remains under investigation.

Police said the accident was not related to the Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI), a significant road upgrade that is currently underway at that intersection.


Chair Deshundra Jefferson is firing back after a campaign mailer sent by Republican hopeful Brian Landrum labeled her a “DEI hire”—a phrase she calls a racist dog whistle aimed at diminishing her landmark victory as the first Black Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.

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GAINESVILLE, Va. – Shotted Coffee, a Saudi-inspired café concept, has opened at Virginia Gateway, offering more than just a caffeine boost at the busy intersection of Route 29 and Linton Hall Road.

Founded by a team inspired by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, Shotted blends cultural tradition with modern coffeehouse style. The café’s owners say they aim to take the typical coffee shop experience “to the next level” in the U.S. market, while keeping the atmosphere family-friendly, smoke-free, and alcohol-free — an alternative to the nightlife scene.


 

School workers also reported a similar incident involving the same suspect on July 30, though it was not reported at the time. The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his mid-20s, about 5’7” with a thin build and medium-length shaggy black hair. He was last seen wearing dark clothing, including a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.


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.


The fair hosts carnival rides, animal shows, arts and craft vendors, and grandstand events such as a demolition derby, quad racing, and monster trucks. Adult admission is $25, and children are $15.

Admission includes parking, grandstand and midway shows, interactive animal exhibits, and home-arts demonstrations, but does not include midway rides—those require separate wristbands or individual ride tickets. More information is available online. 


Police said two men stole shoes from the New Balance store at Potomac Mills after a struggle with employees on Monday afternoon.

Police said the suspects were spotted concealing merchandise just after noon on August 11. When confronted, they fought with staff and ran from the mall with a pair of shoes. No one was hurt. The suspects are described as Black men — one wearing a gray sweatshirt and dark shorts, the other in a blue-and-white tank top and gray shorts. A police K-9 search did not locate them.


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