Prince William

Virginia Health Department Partially Lifts Potomac River Advisory

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that it is partially lifting a recreational water advisory for the Potomac River, effective immediately.

The change applies to the stretch from the Route 120 Chain Bridge to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301) in King George County, which includes key local areas in Woodbridge and Stafford. This development comes after weeks of monitoring following a major sewage spill upstream, providing relief to residents and businesses reliant on the river for recreation.

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Prince William Supervisors Move to End By-Right Data Centers in Overlay District — But Approve Controversial Hornbaker Project in 4-3 Vote

By Uriah Kiser

In a split decision reflecting deep divisions over the county’s data center boom, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 on March 3 to initiate a zoning text amendment that would eliminate by-right approval for data centers inside the Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District and require special use permits (SUPs) for all future projects countywide.

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A New Grocery Store near Dumfries?

By Uriah Kiser
A ribbon cutting for Sprouts Farmers Market, at 8431 Sudley Road near Manassas on May 12, 2023.

“Sprouts is excited to bring our wide selection of fresh, local and better-for-you products to the Dumfries community as we continue to grow in Virginia,” Sprouts public relations manager Mychael Ramirez said in an email to the Prince William Times, the newspaper reported. “Sprouts offers a carefully curated assortment of products that inspire wellness naturally, including organic, gluten-free, plant-based and non-GMO favorites.”

Sprouts Farmers Market plans to open a new grocery store in 2027 inside the former Shoppers Food Warehouse space at Fortuna Plaza off Dumfries Road. The Phoenix-based grocer operates more than 480 stores nationwide and currently has four Virginia locations in Herndon, Manassas, Leesburg, and Haymarket.

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Montgomery Launches Write-In Bid Amid Casim Controversy in Woodbridge Supervisor Race

By Uriah Kiser
Montgomery [Campaign photo]

In a dramatic turn for the Woodbridge District Supervisor special election, Pam Montgomery, a U.S. Army veteran, former Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, lifelong Democrat, and experienced public servant, officially launched her write-in candidacy today.

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19-year-old Bristow man killed in fiery crash at I-66 rest area

By Uriah Kiser

A 19-year-old Bristow resident was killed Saturday afternoon when his Toyota sedan struck a parked tractor-trailer in an Interstate 66 eastbound rest area in Prince William County and burst into flames.

Virginia State Police responded to the crash at approximately 3:10 p.m. on February 28, 2026, about 0.3 miles west of Bull Run Drive near the 48-49 mile marker in the Manassas area.

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Suspects charged in fatal Potomac Mills parking lot shooting

By Uriah Kiser
Side of a Prince William County Police car door
Photo: Prince William County Police / Potomac Local

Prince William County police have arrested a 25-year-old Chesterfield County man in connection with the February 24 shooting death of a 34-year-old Alexandria resident in the parking lot of Potomac Mills mall.

Clifton Joseph Douglas, 25, of Chesterfield, was taken into custody on March 2 by members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force in Chesterfield County. He faces charges of murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Douglas is being held without bond, with a court date pending.

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Dumfries Police Chief Shares Crime Trends

By Daeden Brown
Gaylen (right)

Dumfries Police Chief Vernon Galyen presented department progress and answered resident questions during a public town hall focused on public safety in the Prince William County town.

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Democrats Urge Casim to Drop Woodbridge Bid

By Uriah Kiser
Casim

A group of Democratic elected officials led by former Woodbridge Supervisor Delegate Margaret Franklin called on Muhammed “Sef” Casim to step down as the Democratic nominee for Woodbridge District Supervisor, while Prince William Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson criticized his apology and urged meetings with affected communities.

On March 2, 2026, a joint statement from Democratic elected officials declared Sufiyan “Sef” Casim’s resurfaced social media remarks racist, xenophobic, and misogynistic, describing them as disqualifying due to a fundamental failure of character and judgment. The signers stated that Casim’s use of deeply derogatory language has caused immeasurable pain, particularly to African Americans, and that he does not grasp the weight and history of the words used.

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Haymarket advisors say Town Center funding feasible with debt mix

By Uriah Kiser

Municipal advisors on Feb. 23, 2026, told the Haymarket Town Council the town can afford its Town Center project through a balanced mix of cash and debt while keeping reserves healthy.

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GOP Demands Woodbridge Democrat Drop Out Over Alleged Racist, Antisemitic Posts

By Uriah Kiser
Screenshot

Prince William County Republicans are demanding that local Democrats revoke support for their Woodbridge District Supervisor nominee after old social media posts resurfaced, while the candidate’s main X account is now protected from public view.

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