OCCOQUAN, Va. – Residents and visitors gathered in Occoquan earlier this month for a series of beloved community events, showcasing the town’s vibrant culture, outdoor spirit, and appreciation for volunteerism.

The Spring RiverFest and Craft Show, held June 7–8, drew crowds despite intermittent rain, thanks to the efforts of nearly 90 volunteers and a dedicated town staff. New events coordinator Tammy Hassett and Town Manager Adam Lynn were credited with steering the complex operation. Hassett, known for her modesty, emphasized the team effort and praised police officers, municipal employees, and volunteers alike.

Mayor Ernie Porta extended his appreciation to the participants and supporters who made the festival a success. “We appreciate all of you and the substantial effort you exerted,” Porta said on the Occoquan Radio Podcast. “Without you, of course, it could not have been such a success.” He also thanked former events director Julie Little, who recently retired but helped with the event right up to her official departure.

A major highlight of the weekend was the Occoquan River Paddle Challenge, the second race in the Mayor’s Occoquan Race Series. Athletes competed in various categories, including stand-up paddleboard, surf ski, and kayak.

Race Results:

• Stand-Up Paddleboard (10K)

  • Top Male: Daniel Goff (1:14:39)

  • Top Female: Brendan Norman (1:22:56)

• Surf/Ski/Kayak

  • Top Male: Gabor Vida (56:34), averaging nearly 7 mph

  • Top Female: Stephanie Schell (1:03:40)

The rain that fell during the festival postponed another annual tradition—the Duck Splash race, a fundraiser for the local nonprofit Patriots for Disabled Divers, which uses scuba diving to support wounded veterans. The race was rescheduled for June 15 and went off smoothly.

Duck Splash Winners:

• Grand Prize ($500): Kathy Madigan

• Second–Fifth Place ($100 each): Beniranda Light, Melissa Callahan, Smokey Harnett, Greg Sager

• Sixth–Tenth Place ($20 each): Ian Morrison, Daryl Oreske, Skyler Hilliard, Anne Cruz, Melissa Goebel

Mayor Porta also thanked volunteers Bob, William, Michael, Barb, Sarah, and Zoe for their assistance with the race, adding that their work helped make the event a “popular annual tradition.”

The early summer weekend in Occoquan was a reminder of the town’s enduring community spirit and its growing reputation as a destination for unique events and local celebrations.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. –A surge in riders across OmniRide commuter bus routes is triggering overcrowding issues on several key lines, prompting officials at the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) to weigh how and where they can expand service — especially as the region heads into a busy fall season.

Speaking during the June 5 PRTC Board of Commissioners meeting, Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider said ridership dipped slightly in May due to seasonal factors like Memorial Day and rainy weather, but overall remains strong.

“Ridership is still fantastic… We are hitting that beginning of the summer seasonal adjustment,” Schneider told the commission.

Among the standout performers is Route 981, which runs from Lake Ridge to the Pentagon and downtown D.C. — ridership on that route has doubled since January. Western express routes that operate from the University Boulevard commuter lot are carrying more than 40,000 monthly riders, while southern routes serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania counties have topped 30,000 riders a month.

Still, the agency is confronting the downside of growing demand: overcrowded buses.

Schneider said OmniRide recorded 74 overcrowded trips in May, all of them in the afternoon as commuters returned from D.C. to Northern Virginia.

“The issue isn’t the number of people going in — it’s everyone leaving at the same time,” he said.

The biggest pinch points are on the following routes:

• Route 612 – Warrenton/Gainesville to Pentagon/Navy Yard
• Route 943 – Stafford to D.C.
• Route 953 – Montclair to D.C.
• Route 971 – Dale City to D.C.

Routes 612 and 943 are grant-funded, giving the agency more flexibility to add trips if needed. However, Routes 953 and 971 are locally funded, and Schneider cautioned that OmniRide currently lacks dedicated funding to expand service on those lines.

Commissioners raised questions about how ridership trends align with overall population growth. Staff explained they track commuter lot capacity and development trends — not just raw population figures — to guide service decisions. That includes monitoring ongoing residential growth along I-66 and Route 28, as well as major developments like the planned Manassas Mall redevelopment.

Officials expect to have a clearer picture of ridership patterns by mid-July.

“If the summer dip is minimal, we’re concerned that overcrowding will worsen in the fall,” Schneider added.

DUMFRIES, Va. – A beloved annual tradition at Williams Ordinary allowed visitors to step into the past—and into a tavern—during Tavern Night, hosted by the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation.

Held at the 18th-century tavern in downtown Dumfries, the event featured reenactors, colonial-era games like Shut the Box and Nine Men’s Morris, and live music from Colonial Faire. This year’s event spotlighted proclamations tied to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and George Washington’s appointment as commander-in-chief.

The evening also marked the opening of a new exhibit, Resolves to Revolution, inside the historic building. The exhibit connects Prince William County to the broader events of the American Revolution, highlighting local residents like William Grayson and Andrew Leitch who played significant roles in the war. A large map traces the battles where these residents served, showing the far-reaching impact of their efforts.

Though the county didn’t host any major battles, the war still shaped its people. The exhibit challenges the common belief that Prince William County’s wartime history begins and ends with the Civil War.

Community members welcomed the opportunity to explore Williams Ordinary—usually closed to the public—and connect with its history. The Office of Historic Preservation hopes to expand access to the site in the future.

For more Revolutionary War history, residents can explore Prince William County’s Revolutionary War History Trail or attend Road to Victory at Rippon Lodge on Saturday, October 25. That event will include colonial living history demos and a visit from the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia State Senator Tara Durant (R) announced her campaign for Congress on June 18, 2025, setting up a high-stakes showdown with incumbent Rep. Eugene Vindman (D) in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

“As a mom, Marine wife, and conservative fighter, I’ve spent my life standing up for faith, family, and freedom,” Durant said in her announcement. “As a State Senator, I partnered with Governor Glenn Youngkin to cut taxes, back the blue, and fight back against the far-left agenda. Now I’m running for Congress to take that same fight to Washington and work with President Trump to secure our border, fully fund our police, end the reckless spending, and restore common-sense leadership.”

Durant, who currently represents Virginia’s 27th Senate District—including Fredericksburg, Stafford County, and Spotsylvania County—won her seat in 2023 with 48.28% of the vote, defeating Democrat Joel Griffin and Independent Monica Gary. She did not represent Prince William County, which is not part of her state Senate district but is the largest locality in the 7th Congressional District.

In contrast, Prince William County played a decisive role in Vindman’s 2024 congressional victory. Vindman carried the county with 63.63% of the vote, defeating Republican Derrick Anderson by more than 36,000 votes there. While Anderson won Spotsylvania County (53.52%) and came within a percentage point of Vindman in Stafford County, it wasn’t enough to overcome Vindman’s large margin in Prince William. Vindman ultimately won the district with 50.20% of the vote, compared to Anderson’s 47.38%.

Durant’s base of support in Stafford and Spotsylvania—two of the three largest jurisdictions in the district—helped her win her state Senate seat in 2023. In that race, she carried both counties while losing in the city of Fredericksburg. Now, she’ll need to expand her support into Prince William County, which leans heavily Democratic and helped power Vindman’s win.

Vindman, a retired Army colonel and ethics attorney who rose to prominence during the Trump impeachment inquiry, took office in January 2025. Since then, he’s opened a district office in Fredericksburg, faced scrutiny over campaign spending tied to a book tour involving his twin brother, and made headlines for an apology after posing with a historical Virginia flag linked to the Confederacy.

The 2026 race for Virginia’s 7th District is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the country, drawing national attention and likely millions in campaign spending.

 

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Prince William County is inviting the community to celebrate freedom, unity, and culture at this year’s Juneteenth Festival, which will be held Wednesday, June 20, 2025.  from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Prince William County Government Center, Sean Connaughton Plaza.

Organized by the county’s Office of Executive Management – Equity and Inclusion, the festival commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans while highlighting African American history, achievement, and culture.

The free, family-friendly event will include cultural performances in music, dance, and spoken word, as well as panel discussions with historians and community leaders. Children’s activities, local vendors selling food and crafts, and health screenings from local healthcare partners are also planned. Historical exhibits will provide educational insight into African American heritage.

“Juneteenth is a time to come together to reflect on our past and look ahead to a brighter future rooted in unity and respect,” said Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey. “This festival allows our community to celebrate our diversity and honor the contributions of African Americans.”

Free parking is available on site. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring water, as the celebration will take place outdoors.

For more information, visit pwcva.gov/news.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the celebration would take place at Pftiztner Stadium, at the county government center.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Amateur radio operators will be out in force the weekend of June 28–29, as part of the 2025 American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day exercise, demonstrating how ham radio can function when modern communications fail.

Every year, the ARRL hosts Field Day to spotlight the vital role of amateur radio in emergencies. In Woodbridge, members of the Woodbridge Amateur Radio Club will set up temporary transmitting stations near Old Bridge and Smoketown Roads, at the Lake Ridge Baseball and Soccer Field, to show the public how ham radio works—especially during disasters. The event runs continuously from 8 a.m. Friday, June 27 through 6 p.m. Sunday, June 29, with peak operations from Saturday at 2 p.m. to Sunday at 2 p.m.

Using only emergency power sources, operators—often referred to as “hams”—will build and operate stations that can connect with others across the U.S. and globally, independent of cell towers or internet. According to the ARRL, ham radio has supported response efforts in disasters ranging from California wildfires to tornadoes in the Midwest and even communication from the International Space Station.

Field Day also includes a special “Get On The Air” (GOTA) station, where visitors can try their hand at making real radio contacts under the guidance of licensed operators. It’s part of a nationwide event involving more than 40,000 participants and is considered ham radio’s largest annual public demonstration.

For more information about amateur radio and how to get involved, visit arrl.org.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Republican Gregory Lee Gorham won the GOP nomination for Virginia’s 21st House District on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, defeating two challengers in a three-way primary and setting up a November contest against incumbent Democrat Josh Thomas.

Gorham won 66.35% of the vote with 970 ballots cast in his favor. Sahar Smith finished second with 395 votes (27.02%), and Xanthe Larsen placed third with 97 votes (6.63%).

The outcome followed a weekend candidate forum hosted by the HOA Roundtable, a civic group focused on land use, transportation, school crowding, and development in western Prince William County. Gorham was the only Republican candidate to attend the June 14 forum.

“Every day in this campaign, miracles happen. I get smarter. I witness it,” Gorham said at the event. “I think I’ve got a lot of courage. I think I can demonstrate that by the things I’ve tried before.”

A Forum as a Job Interview

HOA Roundtable Chair Mac Haddow introduced the session as a “job interview” for the candidates. He criticized Smith and Larsen for not participating and noted the event’s focus on “specific issues that impact our communities,” especially the rapid expansion of data centers in the county.

“We believe that candidates have to be accountable for the decisions they make,” Haddow said. “Citizens have the right to be able to examine the candidates that are here for public office.”

Gorham’s Policy Agenda: Land Use, Ethics, and Utility Reform

Gorham devoted most of his remarks to data center oversight, campaign finance transparency, and how state legislation can support better local governance.

“Controlling data center sprawl” topped his campaign bullet points, Gorham said. “I want to come up with some different solutions.”

Gorham has opposed what he calls “non-disclosures that the county is being forced to sign,” adding that “I don’t see the necessity to keep these things as secret.” He said he would support stronger Freedom of Information Act laws and penalties for excessive secrecy in land use negotiations.

On campaign contributions, Gorham said:

“I would definitely support exploring” a ban on donations from companies with pending business before local or state boards. “There’s such a flexibility in what money can be done with their PACs… and it’s the quickest thing to get crushed.”

He also wants to block local governments from approving large projects like data centers before environmental reviews are completed. He criticized the Board of County Supervisors for approving the Prince William Digital Gateway project before completing a water impact study.

“I almost closed my eyes and saw Nancy Pelosi saying, ‘Let’s pass it and we’ll read the bill later,’” said Gorham.

Gorham also favors noise and air quality regulations targeting backup diesel generators at data centers.

“I’d like to see regular routine measurements of the air, the water, and so on,” he said. “If you tell [data center operators] with certainty what their requirements are, they will meet it.”

On Taxes: Repeal Car Tax, Replace It With Data Center Tax

Asked about repealing the car tax, Gorham said, “I would be in favor of joining my fellow Republicans in Richmond to repeal it… I definitely will go along.”

To replace the revenue, he proposed a new state tax on data centers:

“I’m all for not putting the cost of their folly on our backs,” he said. “They say we’ll get all these taxes, and they never materialize.”

He called the current method of taxing data centers “laughable” and “primitive,” citing depreciation loopholes and tax exemptions based on government tenants.

“They’re laughing themselves silly at these data center corporate offices,” said Gorham. “We have to find a way of being able to tell them no.”

Partisan Independence and Legislative Strategy

Though running as a Republican, Gorham said his campaign is rooted in local problem-solving.

“I’m going to vote with what’s right for the House District 21,” he told one attendee. “I am not looking to make this a forever job. I’m running for one term and we’ll see how that goes.”

Gorham said he planned to file legislation immediately if elected.

“When I win in November, I will have a month to get my legislation… ready to go the first week of December,” he said. “I’m not going to sit around like a typical freshman delegate and get nothing done.”

Thomas, has also made data center regulation a central issue of his term in office. In 2025, he sponsored House Bill 1601, which would have required applicants seeking to build new high-energy use facilities (HEUFs), such as data centers, to submit a site assessment examining impacts on nearby homes and schools, and potentially on water resources, agriculture, historic sites, and forests.

The bill preserved local zoning authority and exempted minor expansions of existing facilities. Though the legislation passed both chambers, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed the bill.

Gorham described his opponent, Delegate Josh Thomas, as someone who “really doesn’t know the district” and who “sticks to party line issues.” Gorham specifically criticized Thomas’ handling of his bill on data center siting, saying the delegate should have accepted Governor Glenn Youngkin’s amendments instead of turning the bill into a political fight.

“They’re going to try doing the same things over and over again,” he said. “I want to do things that are going to pass and succeed.”

Gorham expressed interest in working across the aisle with Senator Danica Roem, a Democrat whose Senate district overlaps with House District 21.

“I think there’s a lot of things that Senator Roem and I agree on,” he said. “We could be very potent getting things done.”

Campaign Ethics and Conflict of Interest

Gorham pledged to remain independent from data center influence and challenged his former primary opponents to do the same.

“I have not signed a sales contract or any legal agreement that prevents me from fully discussing data centers,” Gorham said. “I have not signed a nondisclosure agreement, and I will not sign any nondisclosure agreement that will prevent me from fully engaging this data center subject in Richmond.”

He said he has no other conflicts of interest:

“I have all the money I need to live the rest of my life in comfort,” he said. “I’m not going to be vulnerable to someone throwing a sack of cash at my table.”

Voters will head to the polls on November 4, 2025, for the General Election. Early voting begins September 19 and continues until November 1, 2025.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William County Public Schools is asking families to notify the division whether their students will require bus transportation for the upcoming 2025–26 school year, a move aimed at improving routing efficiency and service reliability.

While some families may see this as an “opt-in” process similar to what neighboring Stafford County implemented earlier this year, PWCS says that is not the case.

“All students will be provided with a bus, if they qualify (e.g., the student is not a walker), unless the family indicates otherwise,” said PWCS spokeswoman Meghan Silas. “To help us plan better bus routes and improve on-time service, PWCS is asking families to let us know if their students will need bus transportation for the 2025–26 school year.”

Parents are asked to log in to their ParentVUE accounts and complete the transportation update as soon as possible. Silas emphasized that even if students don’t need a bus—such as high schoolers who drive themselves to school—it’s still important for families to report that information. If plans change later, families can contact their child’s school to update transportation preferences.

The goal, according to PWCS, is to collect more accurate data about ridership and eliminate unnecessary stops, which can delay service across the county’s large bus network.

Following Stafford’s Lead?

In nearby Stafford County, public school officials rolled out a similar request earlier this year—though theirs came with more urgency and a new opt-in policy following a transportation crisis at the start of the 2024–25 school year. That crisis left more than 3,000 students without assigned buses on the first day of school due to rushed implementation of routing software and staff shortages.

As a result, Stafford officials revamped the system. Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, families there must opt in for bus service. By early June, nearly 30,000 students had declared their transportation plans, with thousands opting out of morning or afternoon rides. Families who fail to submit their preference in Stafford must work with school registrars to reapply for transportation.

While Prince William is not requiring an opt-in, the similarities in timing and communication have drawn attention.

Prince William County Public Schools transports more than 60,000 students daily. Officials say collecting accurate ridership data early will allow them to fine-tune routes, reduce delays, and better serve all students.

Families can access the transportation preference form via ParentVUE and are encouraged to update their responses soon.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – After more than a decade of promises, delays, and renewed commitments, the long-awaited Potomac Shores Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station is finally inching toward full construction, with key infrastructure nearly complete and developers eyeing a construction start by the end of 2025.

At a June 5 meeting of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), officials confirmed that the parking garage and station access infrastructure—critical components of the overall project—are “just about to get wrapped up.” Construction of the station itself, which will be led by private developers with VRE now included in “intimate discussions,” could begin as early as late 2025, pending final documentation and approvals from CSX.

A Long Road to the Tracks

The Potomac Shores VRE station was first announced with great fanfare in 2014, when then-Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) broke ground on the project as part of a public-private partnership. At the time, the $14 million passenger depot was to be built by SunCal, the developer behind the Potomac Shores community, with Virginia taxpayers funding necessary track upgrades. Officials hoped the station would become a transportation anchor for new housing and commercial growth along the Potomac River.

“We are building the transportation infrastructure of the future,” McAuliffe said at the time.

However, by 2018, delays had taken hold. We reported that the station had been delayed for nearly four years due to shifting development priorities and complexities involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies. Developers told Potomac Local they were “ready to move forward” after extensive planning, and VRE reiterated its commitment to the site.

Another milestone came in 2023, when Prince William County Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey announced a new agreement between the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and Biddle Real Estate Ventures to jumpstart the stalled project. Bailey touted the station as a key element of economic growth and transit-oriented development in eastern Prince William County.

In November 2024, officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the station house, a signature building that will feature two levels of retail space and a grand arch leading to a riverfront boardwalk. A $24 million, 350-space parking garage was also completed—marking a visible step forward for residents long skeptical of the project’s progress.

Construction and Coordination

At the recent PRTC meeting, officials said environmental remediation work has been completed, and permits are in place. The biggest remaining obstacle is securing final paperwork with CSX, the freight rail company that owns the tracks.

VRE’s involvement has increased as the project moves toward construction, though officials clarified the agency is not building the station itself. That responsibility remains with private developers, but VRE is expected to operate passenger rail service from the site once complete.

Once completed, the Potomac Shores station will serve riders on VRE’s Fredericksburg Line and connect the growing Potomac Shores community with destinations to the north and south. The station’s unique design includes elevated walkways, stairs, and an elevator to move passengers from a bluff down to the tracks.

The station will also feature a riverfront boardwalk and access to the Potomac Shores Trail System, making it one of the most architecturally distinctive stations in the VRE system.

If station construction begins in late 2025, the Potomac Shores VRE Station could be operational by mid-to-late 2027. Local officials and transportation planners see it as a transformative piece of infrastructure—one that could finally deliver on a decade of anticipation and tie together the area’s goals for smart growth, reduced traffic congestion, and increased transit access.

Related Coverage from Potomac Local News:

• 📸 Potomac Shores VRE Station House Breaks Ground (2024)
• 🔁 New Promise to Build VRE Station After Near Decade of Delay (2023)
• ⏳ After a Nearly 4-Year Delay, Potomac Shores Will Get Its VRE Station (2018)
• 🚆 McAuliffe Breaks Ground on Potomac Shores VRE Station (2014)
• 🏞️ Potomac Shores VRE Station to Be Unlike Any in System (2014)