FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – We have our winners! Potomac Local News is excited to announce the recipients of free tickets to Next to Normal at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.

🎭 Thank You for Entering

Hundreds of readers entered our giveaway for a chance to see one of the most talked-about productions of the summer. Next to Normal is a bold and emotional Broadway musical that dives into themes of mental illness, grief, and the complexities of family life. It’s playing now through August 3 in Fredericksburg.

This giveaway was our way of saying thank you—for reading, subscribing, and supporting independent local journalism.

💌 Meet the Winners

After a random drawing that gave paid members an extra entry, here are our lucky winners:

🥇 First Place – 4 tickets
Samantha

🥈 Second Place – 2 tickets
Molly

🥉 Third Place – 2 tickets
Dave

Winners have been notified by email and can select any available performance date through August 3, 2025.

🗣️ Don’t Miss a Speaker Night

If you didn’t win this time, you can still make your visit to Next to Normal even more powerful by attending one of five Speaker Nights. These pre-show events feature local mental health advocates and experts who share personal insights and resources, starting at 6:30 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. curtain:

• July 10 – Rappahannock Area Community Services Board
• July 17 – Mental Health America Fredericksburg
• July 24 – Dr. Theron Stinar, Fredericksburg Christian Health Center
• August 3 – Randy Feltner, firefighter and mental health advocate

❤️ Our Mission

We believe in supporting stories that move us—on stage and in the community. This giveaway is part of our ongoing effort to spotlight meaningful conversations about mental health in Northern Virginia.

Want more chances to win in the future? Become a paid member and help us grow local journalism that serves you.

We’ve come a long way in 15 years—and we’re just getting started.

Potomac Local News exists for one reason: because Northern Virginia deserves a local news source that puts community first.

We’ve weathered storms in media, social media, and politics. We’ve watched other local papers disappear. But we’re still here. Still reporting. Still asking the hard questions—and celebrating the good.

And now we’re building something even bigger.

We want to invite you not just to be a reader—but a contributor. Share your stories. Become a member. Tell us what’s changing in your neighborhood. Help shape what we cover next.

Your support gives us the freedom to stay fiercely independent—and your voice makes our journalism stronger.

Let’s write the next chapter of Potomac Local together. With you, it’s going to be an incredible story.

Not every story shakes the ground. Some stories simply hold it together.

For 15 years, we’ve told those stories—of your neighborhoods, your schools, your local leaders, your kids’ big wins and quiet achievements.

Potomac Local News was never meant to be flashy. It was meant to be faithful. To show up. To serve.

And we’re still here today because of you.

You’ve trusted us with your time and your support. You’ve helped us dig deeper and ask better questions. You’ve told us when something was happening down the street that no one else saw.

So thank you. For being more than a reader. For being a partner.

Here’s to continuing that work—together.

You’re not just reading this because you clicked a link—you’re reading this because you belong here.

For 15 years, Potomac Local News has worked to bring meaningful, reliable, and impactful journalism to our neighborhoods in Northern Virginia.

But not alone. With you.

Your membership doesn’t just help us survive—it helps us lead. It gives us the freedom to ask tough questions, spotlight important wins, and share the moments that make our community proud.

You are part of an exclusive group of people who understand the value of local journalism—and you’ve made it thrive.

We see you. We appreciate you. And we want you on this journey for the next 15 years and beyond.

Thank you for making our work possible. Let’s keep building this together.

In a time when local newspapers across the country have gone dark, we’re still shining a light right here in Northern Virginia. Not by accident. Because of you.

You stood up for local journalism.

You funded it. You shared it. You believed in it.

Together, we’ve built more than a news website—we’ve built a community-powered newsroom. And we’re just getting started.

We want to hear from you. What’s happening in your neighborhood? Did a new business pop up on the corner? Did your child win an award? Did your grandma just turn 100? That’s local news—and we’re here to tell it because of you.

Thanks for being a part of something real. Something trusted. Something local.

Let’s keep going. Together.

Fifteen years. That’s how long we’ve been showing up, every single day, to bring you the stories that shape our communities in Northern Virginia.

Potomac Local News has always been about something bigger than just headlines. It’s about connection. It’s about accountability. It’s about giving our neighbors a voice.

And if you’re reading this, it means you’ve been a part of it.

You’ve believed in local journalism when others walked away. You’ve sent us stories, photos, tips—things we couldn’t have known without you. You’ve opened our newsletters, shared our articles, and, most importantly, supported us with your membership.

You’ve helped build something that still stands in an era when local news too often disappears.

So from all of us: thank you. You are not on the sidelines of this story. You are the story.

Let’s keep building this together.

Fifteen years ago, we set out to do something bold—create a trusted local news source from scratch, for the communities of Prince William and Stafford counties, and the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg. Not a national chain. Not clickbait. Just real, reliable local journalism that puts people first.

Today, Potomac Local News is still here—stronger, sharper, and more committed than ever—because of you.

In an age when trust in the news has eroded and many local papers have vanished, you stood by us. You read. You shared. You became members. You supported a mission bigger than yourself. And because of that, thousands of people across Northern Virginia still have a news source they can count on.

But here’s the thing: you’re not just a reader—you’re part of the newsroom. Every photo you send, every news tip you drop, every story you tell us about your child, your school, your street—it all matters. You’ve shaped what we cover, how we report, and why we keep showing up every day.

We’re building more than a website—we’re building a local news community that people can be proud of.

As a core part of this community, you can help us grow:

• Keep supporting us through your membership
• Be our eyes and ears—share what’s happening in your world
• Tell us when something matters, whether it’s a new business opening or your grandmother’s 100th birthday

Thank you for being the reason Potomac Local exists. Thank you for helping us push forward. We’re proud to have you on this journey with us.

Let’s make the next 15 years even more meaningful—together.

Hey folks – Uriah Kiser here, founder and publisher of Potomac Local News.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of joining the Prince William Committee of 100 at the Manassas Museum for a thoughtful discussion on the future of local news. Thank you to everyone who came out to support and take part in the conversation—it meant a lot.

It’s hard to believe, but this June marks 15 years since I launched Potomac Local News. This milestone would not be possible without you—our readers, members, and community partners—who trust us to keep you informed about the places we call home: Manassas, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg, and beyond. Over the years, we’ve seen incredible growth, challenges, and change—and it’s been my honor to report on it all.

What We Discussed

We were joined by several incredible voices in local journalism:

Bruce Potter of InsideNoVa emphasized that social media platforms aren’t local—they don’t send reporters to city council meetings, cover Little League games, or shine a light on neighborhood nonprofits. Local news organizations like ours do, and that boots-on-the-ground reporting matters more than ever.

Stephen Kent, a nationally known media commentator based in Manassas, shared behind-the-scenes insights on how the business of journalism is evolving. From Fox News to Al Jazeera, he’s seen it all and brought a wide lens to the conversation.

We also heard from the publisher of the Prince William Times, a reader-supported nonprofit weekly, who spoke about the power of community-funded journalism. Their model proves that when you give readers the content they care about, they’ll support it.

A Look Back

The event reminded me of another Committee of 100 conversation back in 2012, shortly after the closure of the News & Messenger, following the merger of the Potomac News and the Manassas Journal Messenger—papers that served eastern and western Prince William County for more than a century combined.

I worked at the News & Messenger and saw firsthand the decline: the layoffs, the loss of local printing in Woodbridge (especially hard around the holidays), and ultimately, the final edition in 2011. When printing was moved to Richmond, the “local” was pulled right out of the local paper—and eventually, the paper disappeared altogether.

It’s a story that underscores exactly why we do what we do at Potomac Local News. We’re here, in the community, for the community. Every single day.

Thank You

Thanks to Al Alborn for organizing this important event and keeping the conversation going more than a decade later. And thank you again to Mike Beaty for capturing some fantastic evening photos.

To learn more about the Prince William Committee of 100, visit pwc100.org or follow them at facebook.com/pwc100.

Here’s to 15 years of Potomac Local—and many more to come.

Thank you for your continued support.

– Uriah Kiser
Publisher, Potomac Local News

As we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and reflective Memorial Day.

In observance of the holiday, many local services and facilities will be closed or operate on modified schedules on Monday, May 26, 2025:

🔒 Closed on Memorial Day

• All Public Schools
• Libraries:
  • Prince William Public Libraries (closed Saturday–Monday)
  • Central Rappahannock Regional Library (all branches closed Monday)
    • Note: Sunday, May 25: Library website, catalog, and mobile app down from 5–10 a.m. for maintenance
• Local Government Offices & Courts:
  • Prince William County and Stafford County offices and courts
  • State and Federal Government offices
  • Post Offices
  • Most banks
• Landfills:
  • Stafford R-Board/Regional Landfills (Eskimo Hill & Belman Road)
• Prince William County Parks & Rec Facilities:
  • Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center
  • Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center
  • Veterans Memorial Community Center
  • Pat White Center at Ben Lomond
  • Administration office at George Hellwig Memorial Park

✅ Open on Memorial Day

• Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center (Manassas): 5:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (pools close at 11:30 a.m.)
• Prince William County Parks & Trails
• Water Activities:
  • SplashDown Waterpark
  • Waterworks Waterpark
  • Veterans Memorial Park pool & waterslide
  • Hammill Mill, Birchdale, and Graham Park Community Pools
  • Lake Ridge Park Marina
  • Locust Shade Park Marina
• Stafford County Parks: Outdoor parks open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Prince William County Landfill & Compost Facility: Open 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

🛡️ Public Safety & Emergency Services (Stafford)

• Fire & Rescue: (540) 658-7200 | Emergency: 911
• Sheriff’s Office: (540) 658-4400 | Emergency: 911
• Magistrate: (540) 659-2968

📅 We’ll be back to our regular publishing schedule on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Thank you for being part of our community. From all of us at Potomac Local News, have a meaningful and restful holiday.

Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher, Potomac Local News

📝 Editor’s welcome

Hey there, it’s Uriah —

It’s a packed Friday in Fredericksburg. Here’s your full rundown, from students wrapping up the school year to downtown challenges and big plans for summer.

Peace Corps Ranks UMW Among Top 10 Volunteer-Producing Schools
With five University of Mary Washington alumni currently serving, UMW earned a spot among the nation’s best.
Read more here.

Students wrapped up a semester-long pen pal project
Spanish IV students from Stafford High School exchanged letters and built friendships with seniors at The Crossings at Falls Run.
See the post.

Fredericksburg Area Builders and the Rappahannock Area YMCA do great things for Main Street
Did you know that Fredericksburg Main Street doesn’t receive any direct city funding? These partnerships help keep downtown vibrant.
View the update.

City announces plans for new trail
The City of Fredericksburg announces plans for a new connector trail linking neighborhoods and green spaces.
Get the details.

Lunch deal this week
Grilled BBQ Chicken & Bacon Sandwich
FOR JUST $9.95 at Always Flavored!
See the menu.

Photographer needed
Calling all photographers! We’re looking for a talented eye to capture life in Stafford.
Apply here.

📅 Upcoming Events

TODAY: Stafford to Kick Off Virginia’s 250th Weekend
Stafford County will honor America’s founding with a weekend of celebration including historical reenactments, live music, food, and community pride.
Check out the schedule.

TODAY: Household Pool Registration Party CANCELED DUE TO COOL TEMPERATURES
🌊 Household Pool Registration Party
📍 Doris E. Buffett Pool at Dixon Park
🕘 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Come out to register and learn about seasonal swim options in the city.
Event details here.

📰 News Articles

‘Be Ready to Commit—But Do It’: Colonial Forge High’s EMT Students Graduate
Colonial Forge High School’s Emergency Medical Technician students celebrated their program completion, ready to serve the community.
Full story here.

Stafford Residents Demand Action on Data Center Growth
A surge of public opposition to new data center developments led to a full house at this week’s board meeting.
Read more here.

Rent Increases, Lower Foot Traffic Causing Uncertainty for Downtown Retailers
The bath and body shop Sugar + Spruce has been struggling with declining business in downtown Fredericksburg — and they’re not alone.
See the story.

Get Ready to Pay: Fees Resume at Old Mill Park
Starting Memorial Day weekend, you’ll need to pay to park at Old Mill Park once again.
Parking info here.

🐾 Adoptable Pet of the Week

They say “fighting like cats and dogs,” but Winston the kitten and Dory the dog are rewriting the story.

Winston was adopted just yesterday by a family who already had a dog, Dory. The adopter, a bit hesitant about adding a feline to the mix, asked if he could return Winston if things didn’t work out. The shelter’s answer? Yes—but they always recommend giving pets time to adjust.

Turns out, time wasn’t needed. From the moment they met, Dory and Winston clicked. The gentle dog found a little brother to watch over, and the curious kitten found a best friend. It’s a heartwarming match that shows just how magical adoption can be.

Visit the Stafford County Animal Shelter
26 Frosty Lane, Stafford, VA 22554
📞 (540) 658-7387
🌐 staffordcountyanimalcontrol.com
🕚 Monday–Friday: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
🕘 Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Think your home might be the perfect place for a new furry friend? Stop by the shelter today or share this story to help more pets find their forever homes!

💌 Call to Action

Got a tip or an event we should know about? Hit reply and share!
Don’t forget to forward this to a friend and encourage them to subscribe to the FREE daily newsletter:

Sign up here.

That’s all for now. We’ll see you back here at 4 o’clock with a recap of the day’s headlines. Thanks for reading.

– Uriah Kiser, founder and publisher, Potomac Local News