Prince William - Page 2 of 1266 - Potomac Local News

Residents Rally Against Planned 6.5-Mile Transmission Line

Published July 24, 2026 at 9:31AM

A speaker addresses a large crowd of demonstrators holding signs reading “Bury the Lines” and “Save Our Rural Land” during a protest against Dominion Energy’s proposed 6.5-mile transmission line project. [Photo: Coalition to Protect Prince William County]

Prince William County residents protested Thursday against Dominion Energy’s proposed 6.5-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line connecting the Nokesville Substation to a planned Bristow Switching Station, WTOP reported. Demonstrators gathered outside an open house at Patriot High School in Nokesville, holding signs calling to “Bury the Lines” and “Save Our Rural Land,” while local officials and state senators voiced opposition to the project’s impact on private property and rural character.

The Coalition to Protect Prince William County organized the event amid growing concerns that data centers and development are driving the need for new infrastructure; Dominion said the line is required for reliable service as the Innovation Park area expands, but noted burying the line is not feasible due to bedrock and existing utilities.

Land Swap Proposed for Data Centers Near Prince William Forest Park

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 24, 2026 at 9:09AM

Federal officials are considering a land swap that would allow a developer to build at least four data centers next to Prince William Forest Park in close proximity to Quantico Creek, Prince William Times reported. The proposal would exchange 73 acres of wetlands owned by Highland Digital for 36 acres of federally owned parkland along the park’s western border.

Conservation groups warn the project could harm water quality in one of Northern Virginia’s most pristine streams, while local leaders including Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson have expressed skepticism about any data center construction inside park boundaries.

Biggest Route 1 Cleanup Draws 32 Volunteers in Woodbridge

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 24, 2026 at 8:46AM

Woodbridge District Supervisor Jeannie LaCroix’s new Adopt Route 1 initiative scored a strong start over the weekend with what Keep Prince William Beautiful called the biggest Route 1 cleanup ever.

On Saturday, July 11, 32 volunteers collected more than 20 large bags of trash while covering three miles of the corridor (a mile and a half in each direction).

Prince William supervisors initiate study of 1,000–1,400-home Catharpin proposal

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 23, 2026 at 8:32AM

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted 5-3 on July 21, 2026, to initiate a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Catharpin Valley Estates, a proposal covering 292 acres in the Gainesville District.

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7-1 vote clears path to demolish Bennett School for Judicial Center expansion

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 22, 2026 at 10:21AM

Bennett School at the Prince William County courthouse.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors on July 21 approved moving forward with Judicial Center expansion plans that include demolition of the long-vacant Bennett School while directing consultants to study memorialization options, voting 7-1 with Gainesville District Supervisor George Stewart dissenting.

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Pokémon Fans Camp Out Overnight at Woodbridge Sam’s Club for Exclusive TCG Drop

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 9:13PM

Sam’s Club Woodbridge draws a dedicated group of Pokémon enthusiasts camping in the lot Tuesday evening. The retailer’s member-exclusive drop is one of several big-box releases fueling excitement in the local TCG community. (Photo submitted to Potomac Local News)

Pokémon Trading Card Game enthusiasts turned the Sam’s Club parking lot on Worth Avenue in Woodbridge into an impromptu campground Monday night, July 20, as they waited for an exclusive member-only release on Tuesday, July 21.

Photos from the scene show groups of collectors with folding chairs, snacks, and gear settling in under the lights, hoping to secure the Ascended Heroes Focused Fighters Premium Collection. The bundle, available to Sam’s Club Plus Members (limit 2 per membership), includes 14 booster packs and foil promo cards for about $55.

Hepburn and Sons Expanding in Prince William

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 7:54PM

Prince William Science Accelerator located in Innovation Park, Prince William County welcomes its fifth tenant - Celetrix LLC.

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Monday that Hepburn and Sons LLC, formerly based in Manassas, will invest $18.1 million to build a new corporate headquarters in Prince William County. The project is expected to create 80 new jobs.

The three-story, roughly 27,000-square-foot building will sit on 1.25 acres of county-owned land along Discovery Boulevard in Innovation Park, next to NOVA LIVE. Officials said the headquarters should be fully operational by the summer of 2028 and will serve as an innovation hub for defense technology development. The move responds to rising demand in the company’s defense contracting work.

Prince William County Sees Two Traffic Deaths Days Apart

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 8:01AM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

On July 18 at about 10:53 p.m., a 36-year-old man identified as Michael Hall was riding eastbound on Old Bridge Road near Colby Drive when he lost control of his 2014 Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle while navigating a right curve. He crossed into the median, struck a metal sign and guardrail, and was transported to a hospital where he later died. Speed is believed to be a factor, according to police.

Earlier, on July 10 at 6:31 a.m., 78-year-old John Gregory Grace of Occoquan was struck by a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee while crossing the Gordon Boulevard entry and exit lanes at the Occoquan Commuter Lot at 1325 Old Bridge Road. Grace, who was not in a designated crosswalk, died from his injuries. The driver, Arlen Yessenia Vivas Perez, 42, of Woodbridge, remained at the scene and was later charged with disregarding a stop sign.

Prince William County Mulls Ending By-Right Data Center Development – A Move That Could Save Jiffy Lube Live

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 7:56AM

“The Prince William County Planning Commission voted earlier this week to recommend that the county stop allowing data centers to build ‘by right,’ or without county approval – a move that could keep Jiffy Lube Live and other key areas from being swallowed up by computer server farms,” Prince William Times reported. The commission voted 5-2 to recommend shrinking the data center opportunity zone overlay district from about 9,700 acres to 3,500 acres, requiring special use permits for new projects and removing sites like Jiffy Lube Live and planned school land from by-right development.

This proposal, advanced by local leaders including Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson and Supervisor Tom Gordy, addresses long-standing concerns over skyrocketing land values and data center proliferation in Northern Virginia, with 148 facilities already built, under construction, or planned in the county. Supervisors are expected to consider the zoning text amendment in September.

Prince William Supervisors Shoot Down Two Proposed Lines for Nokesville to Bristow Transmission Project

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 7:44AM

Gordy

InsideNova reported that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution eliminating the “blue” and “light blue” routes for Dominion Energy’s Nokesville to Bristow 230 kilovolt transmission line project across county property. The board stated it does not support granting Dominion access to county easements for Routes 5 and 12.

The decision, praised by Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy, protects areas like Broad Run Linear Park’s tree preserve and reflects strong community advocacy from neighborhoods including Braemar and Victory Lakes. Dominion Energy confirmed the blue route’s elimination, with the State Corporation Commission set to make the final call and a community meeting scheduled for July 23 at Patriot High School.

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