STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Newly added brewing equipment at Highmark Brewery in Stafford County takes this already-established name in local beer to another level. Moving beyond its menu of eight standards and a few rotating beer types, Highmark is setting a new note on the brew scene with the recent installation of three new fermentation tanks, three extractors, and a modern keg washer.

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STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County will honor America’s fallen heroes with a special Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10 a.m. The event will be held at the Armed Services Memorial on the campus of the George L. Gordon, Jr., Government Center, located at 1300 Courthouse Road in Stafford.

This year’s program will feature a special appearance by The Old Guard, the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Regiment. Known as the Army’s official ceremonial unit and the escort to the president, The Old Guard performs military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, guards the Tomb of the Unknowns around the clock, and represents the Army at ceremonies in the nation’s capital and beyond.

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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will consider a sweeping proposal on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, that could dramatically change how and where data centers operate. The proposed changes, which the county planning commission will first review, include stricter zoning rules, expanded development standards, and long-term operational oversight to reduce impacts on nearby communities.

Data Centers May Lose “By-Right” Status in Three Zones

Under the proposed ordinance, data centers would no longer be allowed by right in three zoning districts where they are currently permitted without a public hearing:

• B-2 Urban Commercial District – Intended for retail, dining, offices, and service businesses along commercial corridors.

• REC Recreational Business Campus District – Meant for entertainment venues, sports complexes, and hospitality-focused developments.

• M-1 Light Industrial District – Designed for low-impact industrial uses like warehousing, light manufacturing, and research.

If the Board approves the change following the planning commission’s review, developers must seek rezoning or a conditional use permit (CUP) to build data centers in these areas. Both processes involve public hearings and require a vote by the Board of Supervisors.

Data centers would remain by-right in:

• M-2 Heavy Industrial District – Reserved for high-impact industries like large-scale manufacturing and utility infrastructure.

• ICTP (Integrated Corporate and Technology Park Overlay) District – An overlay designed for corporate headquarters, research campuses, and tech firms in a park-like setting.

New Operational and Development Standards Proposed

Beyond zoning changes, the proposal introduces new performance standards to limit the impact of data center development. These include:

Setbacks from Property Lines

• 100 feet from residential or non-industrial property lines inside the Urban Services Area (USA).

• 200 feet from residential or non-industrial property lines outside the USA.

Mandatory Vegetated Buffers

• 50-foot landscaped buffer required between data centers and neighboring residential or non-industrial uses.

• Buffers may be located within the required setback area.

Open Space Requirements

• Projects outside the USA must preserve at least 30% of the site as open space.

Security Fencing Standards

• Seven-foot minimum fencing with anti-climbing features and controlled access gates.

• Fencing must be located inside the landscaped buffer zone.

Noise Mitigation Measures

• All mechanical equipment must have sound barriers or muffling materials to reduce noise.

• Developers must submit detailed sound studies before construction and provide post-construction verification.

• Operators would be required to perform annual noise monitoring for 10 years after the facility opens to ensure compliance.

Flexibility for Site-Specific Modifications

• The Board may adjust setbacks or buffers based on site-specific studies, such as viewshed analyses or noise impact reports.

Advocacy Group Raises Concerns, Reports Social Media Hack

Local watchdog group Protect Stafford, led by Erin Sanzero, has been raising awareness about the potential impacts of data center expansion on the environment, traffic, and local neighborhoods. The group held a public information session on May 13, 2025, highlighting concerns about projects like the Stafford Technology Campus and Amazon’s Potomac Church Tech Center.

However, Sanzero told Potomac Local News that the group’s outreach hit a snag over the weekend. She reported that both her personal Facebook account and the Protect Stafford Facebook page were hacked and disabled less than 24 hours after posting about the upcoming Board vote.

“Someone was able to associate my profile with an Instagram that is not mine, and before I could do anything, everyone was completely disabled… there’s no way for me to attempt to appeal it,” Sanzero wrote in an email. “I will continue to try to encourage our email list serve, but it is disappointing to lose our social media reach going into this vote. The timing and rapidity is also alarming and distressing.”

Protect Stafford’s website remains operational despite the loss of social media platforms. The group has updated its homepage with information on how residents can participate in the Board’s meeting.

How to Participate in the Meeting

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will discuss the proposed data center ordinance at its meeting on:

• Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5 p.m.

• Stafford County Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford.

• Can’t make the meeting? Stream it live.

Residents are encouraged to attend and share their comments on the proposed changes.

For more information about Protect Stafford’s advocacy efforts, visit protectstafford.com.

STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County Fire and Rescue says all northbound lanes of Interstate 95 were shut down around 8:45 p.m. Saturday in the area of mile marker 132.9/133, just north of the Rappahannock River bridge, following a traffic crash. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

About 15 minutes later, the Virginia Department of Transportation clarified that the closure affected the local lanes of I-95 northbound. In a social media post just before 9 p.m., VDOT said the entrance ramps to I-95 northbound from Exit 130 (Route 3) in Fredericksburg were closed due to the crash near mile marker 132.

VDOT added that the through lanes of I-95 northbound remained open but with reduced capacity. Drivers were advised to use exits 133 (Route 17) or 126 (Massaponax) to access northbound I-95.

Officials have not released additional details about the crash or how long the closure is expected to last.

Follow PotomacLocal.com online and on social media for updates.

DOSWELL, Va. – Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) lineworkers are among hundreds of utility professionals heading to Meadow Event Park this weekend for the 21st annual Gaff-n-Go Rodeo, one of the largest events of its kind in the U.S.

According to the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, which hosts the event, this year’s rodeo will feature more than 350 competitors from 12 states — including teams from as far away as Hawaii — making it the biggest turnout in event history. NOVEC crews will join linemen from across the region to showcase their safety skills, speed, and teamwork in events that simulate real-life challenges, including pole-top rescues and equipment operations.

“Gaff-n-Go is a great way to highlight the talent and dedication of our NOVEC crews,” the cooperative said in a statement. “It’s a chance for their families and the public to see the level of expertise that goes into restoring power during storms and emergencies.”

Events begin Friday, May 16, with a special recognition of May 17 as Electric Utility Lineworker Day in Virginia. Saturday’s main competitions kick off after a tribute to the military, featuring U.S. Navy Vice Admiral (Ret.) Ted Carter. The event is free and open to the public, with family-friendly activities, interactive displays, and a barbecue competition all scheduled as part of the weekend.

For more information, visit gaff-n-go.com.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) is a not-for-profit electric utility headquartered in Manassas. Serving more than 175,000 customers across six counties—including Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, and Clarke—as well as the City of Manassas Park, NOVEC is one of the largest electric cooperatives in the nation.

NOVEC provides reliable, affordable electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, operating with a commitment to customer service, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. As a member-owned cooperative, NOVEC returns excess revenues to its customers in the form of capital credit refunds. For more information, visit novec.com.

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Thousands of elementary students in Stafford County will head to different schools starting in the 2026-27 school year, following the School Board’s unanimous approval of a countywide redistricting plan.

The board voted on Tuesday, May 13, to adopt Scenario Lime, a boundary adjustment that prepares for the opening of two new elementary schools currently under construction—Elementary School 18 (ES-18) and Elementary School 19 (ES-19).

Which Schools Are Affected?

According to Stafford County Public Schools, the following elementary schools are affected:

• Barrett Elementary
• Conway Elementary
• Ferry Farm Elementary
• Garrisonville Elementary
• Hartwood Elementary
• Kate Waller Barrett Elementary
• Margaret Brent Elementary
• Park Ridge Elementary
• Rock Hill Elementary
• Rocky Run Elementary
• Stafford Elementary
• Widewater Elementary
• Winding Creek Elementary
• Elementary School 18 (ES-18)
• Elementary School 19 (ES-19)
• Neighborhoods such as Rappahannock Landing, Old Forge, and Clearview Heights are among those expected to see students move to different schools under the new boundaries.

Why the Change?

School officials say the redistricting is needed to relieve overcrowding and balance enrollment across the county’s elementary schools. The two new schools are being built to handle growth in areas like Westlake, where new housing developments are underway.

Based on projections shared by school staff, all schools are expected to open under capacity in 2026. However, by 2030, three schools could slightly exceed their limits, with the highest expected utilization at 103%.

What Happens Next?

The changes will go into effect when ES-18 and ES-19 open in fall 2026. School officials plan to notify affected families and provide transition support over the next year.

A proposal to let rising fifth-graders stay at their current schools for one final year—if parents provided transportation—was narrowly rejected in a 4-3 vote. As it stands, all impacted students will move to their new schools in 2026 unless they qualify for a transfer under existing policies.

Looking Ahead

School leaders acknowledge redistricting can be challenging but say this plan positions Stafford’s elementary schools to better serve students as the community grows.

More information, including new boundary maps and transition resources, is expected to be released soon by Stafford County Public Schools.

NORTH STAFFORD, Va. – A local community group concerned about the rapid spread of data centers in Stafford County is inviting residents to learn more at a public meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Porter Branch Library, 2001 Parkway Blvd., Stafford.

The meeting, hosted by Protect Stafford, comes at a time when communities across Virginia are questioning the true costs and benefits of data center expansion. Just last week, Manassas city officials learned a bank tenant inside a data center managed to sidestep millions of dollars in expected local tax payments, leaving a gap in the city’s budget and raising red flags for other localities facing similar projects.

Protect Stafford hopes to get ahead of those concerns by educating residents about recent data center approvals in Stafford County, including the Stafford Technology Campus, a 504-acre site planned for 23 buildings and six substations, and Amazon’s Potomac Church Tech Center, which includes two buildings and a $7 million investment in local infrastructure.

Group founder Erin Sanzero says the meeting will explain how these projects could reshape Stafford’s land use, environment, energy grid, and tax base. Dominion Energy has already announced rate hikes averaging $252 per year by 2027, driven in part by the infrastructure needed to power these massive facilities.

Sanzero warns that without community involvement, Stafford could face similar budget surprises as Manassas, where promised data center revenues are now in doubt. She emphasized that Protect Stafford is not anti-growth but wants to ensure residents have a voice in how these projects move forward.

The meeting is free and open to the public. More details are available at protectstafford.com.

We’re Going Live on Facebook the Next Day to Dig Even Deeper

The conversation continues the next day on Facebook Live as we look at what happened in Manassas and what it means for Virginia’s future. As we first reported, a bank leased computer servers at the newly built data center. Now, the city will lose millions of anticipated tax revenue, as the bank is exempt from paying specific taxes.

Join us LIVE at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, as we sit down with city leaders to unpack:

• How Manassas lost millions in expected data center taxes
• What does it mean for future city budgets and services
• Statewide implications for communities like Stafford
• Possible policy or zoning changes to prevent future loopholes

? Save the date and watch live on Facebook at 3 p.m. on Wednesday!

Catch up on the full story before the broadcast:
City officials caught off guard as bank tenant sidesteps millions in data center taxes

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our exclusive five-part series, "A Conversation with the Superintendent," featuring an in-depth interview with Dr. Daniel W. Smith, Superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools. In this series, we explore Dr. Smith’s vision, challenges, and priorities—from addressing school transportation issues to tackling equity gaps, funding shortages, and the future of education in Stafford County. New articles are published weekly.

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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors narrowly approved a $2.95 million warehouse purchase on Blackjack Road, siding with school officials who say the facility is essential to meet the district’s growing infrastructure needs, despite concerns from some supervisors who argued the deal was rushed and overpriced.

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