OCCOQUAN, Va. – The Town of Occoquan is celebrating both a heartfelt farewell and an exciting new beginning.

Julie Little, who has served as the town’s Events Director for the past eight years, is retiring. Town officials praised Little for her unwavering passion, dedication, and creativity, which helped grow beloved traditions like the Craft Festivals and bring new energy to Occoquan’s calendar of events.

“Julie’s ability to bring people together made Occoquan’s events truly special,” the town shared in a statement. “She went above and beyond in everything she did, and we are deeply grateful for her service and the joyful memories she created.”

As the town wishes Little well in her next chapter, it also welcomes new creative energy to its arts community with the grand opening of Laura D Jones Fine Art at 125 Mill St, Suite #10. Laura is a contemporary visual artist whose work spans realism, impressionism, and abstract styles. Her gallery offers original artwork for sale and features a scenic studio space along the river, where she teaches art classes and accepts commissions.

You can learn more at lauradjonesart.com or stop by the gallery in person to explore her vibrant new addition to Occoquan’s creative scene.

MANASSAS, Va. – Authorities in Prince William County are investigating the death of a 45-year-old man who was found unconscious along a roadside in Manassas.

Prince William County police officers were called to the area of Rixlew Lane near the railroad tracks at 3:51 p.m. on Thursday, June 27. When they arrived, they found the man unresponsive on the side of the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a preliminary investigation, there were no signs of foul play. Police say the man’s body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

“There is no threat to the community concerning this incident,” police said in a statement.

Authorities have not yet released the man’s name. More information will be shared as the investigation continues.

According to a concept plan document from 2024, the goal of the Innovation District — placed around the GMU SciTech Campus — is to connect jurisdictions and industry to create "lasting benefits for the community."

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A new episode of RV There Yet on the Discovery Channel is giving viewers a scenic and heartfelt tour through Prince William County, highlighting its natural beauty, rich history, and growing entertainment scene.

The episode, which aired Saturday, June 28, 2024, follows the show’s hosts as they explore several top destinations in the area. Their journey begins at Prince William Forest Park, where they meet Ranger Joshua Stringer and learn about the park’s origins as a 1930s New Deal project designed to give urban families access to the outdoors. The hosts hike, bike, and camp while discovering the area’s deep Native American and Civil War roots.

Next, the hosts visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps near Quantico. They describe the museum as one of the most emotional they’ve ever toured, praising its immersive exhibits that include lifelike Marine figures, battlefield simulations, and even scents that bring historical scenes to life.

The episode also takes viewers to Manassas National Battlefield Park, where the hosts walk the grounds of the First Battle of Bull Run and learn about the early days of the Civil War, including the story of civilian casualty Judith Henry. A stop in historic downtown Manassas shows the city’s post-fire architecture, strong sense of community, and support for local businesses.

The adventure wraps up with food, drinks, and live music at NOVA Live, formerly Farm Brew Live, which the hosts describe as “an entertainment complex at the highest level.” The episode features stops at MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, Two Silos Brewing Company, and the Black Sheep restaurant, where they sample craft cocktails and celebrate Virginia-made products.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Brew Republic Bierwerks, a longtime fixture in the Stonebridge Town Center, will permanently close its doors after nearly nine years in business.

According to a message shared by the brewery, its landlord has terminated the lease, and with the high costs of relocating and ongoing challenges in the restaurant and brewery industries, the owners have decided not to reopen elsewhere. “This isn’t the opportunity-rich environment breweries had experienced in 2016 when we opened,” they wrote.

The brewery will host a farewell celebration from July 25 to 27, inviting patrons to join them for “food, fun, alcohol, and A LOT of beer” before their final day of public service on Sunday, July 27. Specials and events are planned in the weeks leading up to the closing weekend.

Brew Republic cited a shift in landlord relations following the 2023 sale of the shopping center as a key factor in the decision.

Despite the closure, the owners expressed pride in their role as a community gathering place, noting weddings, retirements, and even a presidential inauguration beer among their many memories. They plan to sell the remaining beer and other items before closing.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A high-speed motorcycle pursuit early this morning ended in a fatal crash near Route 1 in Prince William County.

At about 1 a.m., a Virginia State Trooper clocked a motorcycle traveling 115 miles per hour on southbound I-495 near Eisenhower Avenue. When the trooper attempted to make a traffic stop, the motorcyclist refused to pull over, prompting a chase.

The pursuit continued onto southbound I-95, where the suspect exited the interstate at Exit 152A. at Dumfries. The motorcycle then turned onto Route 1, but the rider lost control, veered off the left side of the road, and struck the median.

The motorcyclist was ejected and died at the scene.

According to Virginia State Police, suspected narcotics and cash were found on the motorcycle. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The crash remains under investigation.

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.

Today, get to know Mandi Spina, the director of the Department of Development Services for 1.5 years. Spina has been with Prince William County since 2013, and was acting director of the department for eight months before being appointed to the position.

How have your previous roles prepared you for your current role as Director of Development Services?

Having parents who raised me to focus on community and being a servant leader, working in local government came natural as a path for my professional life. I recently celebrated my 12th anniversary with Prince William County, 10.5 of those years being with the Department of Development Services.

Throughout my tenure in the Department, I have gained a deep understanding and appreciation for the collaborative approach Prince William County takes when making meaningful process improvements. As Director of Development Services, I have had the unique perspective of watching the department grow over the past 12 years, ensuring that we honor our core values and mission to serve the residents and businesses of Prince William County.

If there’s one thing you’d like the community to understand about the development process in Prince William County, what would it be?

Prince William County’s development process is a highly collaborative and interwoven process that involves multiple county departments and outside agencies, such as the Virginia Department of Transportation and Prince William Water. The Department of Development Services serves as the lead agency for development and plays a central role in coordinating how development projects move throughout the development process.

DDS ensures compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code by reviewing commercial and residential construction plans, issuing permits, inspecting structures and enforcing building code requirements. DDS also manages the site and subdivision plan review and permit issuance process and administers the posting and release of bonds and escrows, while also issuing zoning approvals.

What do you consider to be the most pressing development challenges facing Prince William County today, and how does your department plan to address them?

One of the most pressing challenges is the cost of development, not just in Prince William County, but nationally. As Prince William County continues to grow and expand its commercial development base, ensuring that we have streamlined processes is critical to ensuring timely and cost-effective services. The Department of Development Services plans to address this challenge by ensuring that we continue to identify and implement process improvements as well as continuing stakeholder engagement regarding our processes.

Ensuring that we are identifying and implementing process improvements is critical. We carefully monitor workload trends to ensure we are making the necessary staffing decisions. We also ensure the services we provide are beneficial to our ever-changing customer base who prefer options for both in-person and virtual services.

How do partnerships — with other county departments, developers, environmental groups and the broader community — support the goals of Development Services?

I’m often reminded of the quote by Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

A true partnership approach is critical to a successful development process, not only with other county departments, but also with state agencies, developers, contractors and homeowners, as well. The more we work together, the better our processes become, as we are all working towards the same goal. Development Services is founded on partnership, serving as the Staff Liaison for the Commercial Development Committee, which is an industry-led advisory committee focused on streamlining commercial development processes.

One of the most meaningful parts of being the Director of Development Services is seeing the collaboration unfold in real-time. We truly live the county’s “Leadership at all Levels” value, ensuring that all voices and ideas are heard.

What improvements or innovations has your department introduced recently to enhance efficiency in permitting, inspections, or plan reviews?

Development Services launched key efficiencies over the last year, to include the initiatives below. You can also follow our public facing PWC Works platform, which features a Permitting Improvements Project encompassing the various projects within Development Services.

We are also currently underway with a review of recommended permitting process improvements provided by the Chamber of Commerce, showcasing our commitment to collaboration and a partnership approach.

• SolarApp+ – Launched in October 2024, SolarApp+ is a system designed to automate the residential solar permitting process to create a more efficient process and better experience for residents installing residential solar. SolarApp+ features an integrated web portal that allows approved contractors to submit their projects through the SolarApp+ system, which then checks for jurisdiction-required criteria and issues a same-day permit.
• ePortal Customer Document Upload – This process improvement allows customers to view all uploaded building development documents in real time.
• Inspection Timeframe Email – This process improvement allows customers to receive an automated email the morning of their scheduled building inspection, noting the two-hour timeframe their inspector will arrive. Customers will also have the ability to call the Inspections Office and check ePortal for their scheduled timeframe, as well.
• Owner Notification of Permits – This process improvement went live in May 2024, allowing property owners to voluntarily receive permit activity updates.
• Quality Control Improvements – This process improvement reduced quality control review times from 3-5 business days down to 1-2 business days, saving time in the permitting process.

DUMFRIES, Va. – The Town of Dumfries will host its Independence Day Fireworks Show on Sunday, July 6, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Garrison Park.

According to a flyer from the Department of Recreation and Civic Engagement, the free event will feature live music and food vendors from 5 to 9:30 p.m., with fireworks launching at dark. Garrison Park is located at 17749 Main Street.

Families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the evening. A rain date is scheduled for July 12. For more information, residents can call 571-363-5200.

The development, The Flats at Westminster, will be next to Rockledge Elementary School at the intersection of Clipper Drive and Mariner Lane in Occoquan. The developer proposed 24 units in a residential community, with an estimated 36 total residents, according to the staff report.

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BRISTOW, Va. – The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved a third deferral for the Bristow Campus data center proposal, following a last-minute request from the applicant. The decision, made during the board’s June 24 meeting, postpones the vote on the project until September 9, 2025.

The proposed project from Stack Infrastructure seeks to rezone approximately 58 acres along Nokesville Road to accommodate a 540,000-square-foot data center campus. The site lies outside the county’s Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District, requiring both a rezoning and a special use permit.

The applicant submitted the deferral request just before the start of the meeting, prompting criticism from some supervisors. Several members of the board expressed frustration, citing the repeated delays and lack of a stated reason for the deferral. Despite objections, a majority of the board agreed to reschedule the hearing for September.

Supervisors noted that the applicant may not currently have enough support on the board to secure approval. Some members also raised concerns about the cost of repeatedly advertising and preparing for hearings that are ultimately deferred.

The deferral came one day after a community town hall in Nokesville, where more than 100 residents expressed concerns about the project’s impacts on quality of life, infrastructure, and the broader trend of data center development in the county.

Originally submitted in 2022, the Bristow Campus application has undergone multiple revisions. The initial version included taller buildings and an electrical substation, but these elements were removed in response to staff concerns. The current plan proposes two 2-story buildings with a maximum height of 75 feet, improved buffers and landscaping, and a commitment to support local trail infrastructure through a capped financial contribution.

The site is designated for technology and industrial use under the county’s comprehensive plan, but its location outside the overlay district has drawn heightened scrutiny. Planning staff support the proposal, citing alignment with the county’s economic development goals and proposed mitigation measures.

The Planning Commission previously voted to recommend approval after initial opposition and multiple revisions by the applicant. Community feedback submitted to the Planning Office has been overwhelmingly opposed, with more than 250 emails received in May and June raising concerns about environmental impacts, noise, power usage, and the overall pace of data center development in the region.