Derrick Wood Archives - Potomac Local News

Published July 25, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated July 29, 2025 at 1:47PM

Torian

DUMFRIES, Va. – A proposal to name a new public park after Delegate Luke Torian (D-24, Prince William County) and his wife, Clarice, was removed from the July 1, 2025, Dumfries Town Council agenda — delaying what many community members hoped would be a celebratory vote.

The park, which sits atop the town’s former landfill site, is part of a major transformation that’s turning more than 80 acres of reclaimed land into a public green space overlooking Quantico Creek. The site is adjacent to the Rose Gaming Resort and represents one of the most visible symbols of the town’s revitalization.

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Dumfries Mayor Discusses Economic Impact of New Wawa Gas Station at Route 1 and Possum Point Road

By Potomac Local News

Published April 23, 2025 at 1:06PM | Updated April 25, 2025 at 6:16PM

DUMFRIES, Va. –Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood recently spoke about the new development underway at the corner of Route 1 and Possum Point Road: the first-ever Wawa gas station in the town. This new business, set to open in late summer or early fall of 2025, promises to bring economic benefits to the area, marking a pivotal moment in the town’s growth and revitalization efforts.

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Dumfries Council Recaps 275th Anniversary, Bids Farewell to Outgoing Councilman

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 11, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated December 11, 2024 at 11:20AM

Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood at the opening of The Rose, a new gaming hotel and resort in Dumfries.

The Dumfries Town Council convened on Tuesday, December 3, to reflect on its achievements and challenges as it celebrates its 275th anniversary. The meeting highlighted the town’s growth and a controversial gala event to honor the historic milestone.

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Dumfries Mayor’s BBQ Operation Draws Fresh Fines, Competitor Claims Favoritism

By Alan Gloss

Published November 13, 2024 at 3:49PM | Updated November 14, 2024 at 8:31AM

Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood at the opening of The Rose, a new gaming hotel and resort in Dumfries.

In an ongoing legal battle with the town’s Mayor, Dumfries issued new fines to Mayor Derrick Wood’s business Dyvine BBQ in Motion on Acts Lane.

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Dumfries Takes Legal Action Against Mayor Wood’s BBQ Business for Multiple Violations

By Alan Gloss

Published October 23, 2024 at 3:51PM | Updated October 23, 2024 at 4:52PM

In an unusual move, the Town of Dumfries sued its Mayor because it alleges his business, Dyvine BBQ on Acts Lane, has consistently failed to comply with the ordinances the Mayor had voted to enact. The manager plans to take further action soon.

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Prince William

Dumfries Proposes Changes to Town Charter

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 18, 2024 at 11:00AM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

The Dumfries Town Council seeks to amend the town’s charter, which dates back to 1749, making Dumfries the oldest continuously chartered town in Virginia. The proposed changes were discussed during the council’s July 3 meeting.

According to a town spokeswoman, the amendments, which must be approved by the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, are primarily administrative and aimed at promoting greater clarity concerning the existing text. One substantive proposal would empower the Mayor to declare a local emergency if neither the director of emergency management nor the town council is available.

Prince William

Dumfries Mayor Partied at White House While Residents Were Trapped in Neighborhood

By Uriah Kiser

Published June 12, 2024 at 10:55AM | Updated June 12, 2024 at 1:09PM

Derrick Wood at the White House on Monday, June 10, 2024.

While more than 100 Dumfries residents were trapped inside their neighborhood without electricity, their mayor was partying at the White House.

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Breaking News

Exclusive: Dumfries Busts Gala Budget by 135%, Sells 12 Tickets

By Alan Gloss

Published May 9, 2024 at 2:45PM

By Alan Gloss and Sarah Romero

Dumfries is celebrating its 275th anniversary this weekend, amid budgetary woes as it prepares for a three-day extravaganza to mark the occasion. Originally, the town council approved a $100,000 budget for the celebration, but it was revealed Tuesday that planners had overspent by $28,000.

Prince William

Dumfries mayor named National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Vice President

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 5, 2023 at 9:03AM

Dumfries Town Government: Derrick Wood, Mayor of Town of Dumfries, VA, has been elected as the 2024 first vice president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO), a constituency group of the National League of Cities (NLC). NBC-LEO serves as a forum for communication and networking among African-American municipal officials and their colleagues to share ideas and develop leadership experience. Mayor Wood was elected in November at NLC’s 2023 City Summit conference in Atlanta, GA.

“NBC-LEO plays a crucial role in connecting leaders and also in empowering us to work collaboratively to bring effective change and innovation to our respective communities.” – Mayor Derrick R. Wood.”