DUMFRIES, Va. – The Town of Dumfries will host its Independence Day Fireworks Show on Sunday, July 6, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Garrison Park.
According to a flyer from the Department of Recreation and Civic Engagement, the free event will feature live music and food vendors from 5 to 9:30 p.m., with fireworks launching at dark. Garrison Park is located at 17749 Main Street.
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.
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.
Join us for an in-depth, inspiring conversation with Mayor Derrick Wood of the Town of Dumfries, Virginia’s oldest continuously chartered town. Hosted by Uriah Kiser, publisher of Potomac Local News, this live podcast dives deep into the major transformations reshaping the town—making it a destination rather than a drive-through.
DUMFRIES, Va. – Mayor Derrick R. Wood outlined a bold and hopeful vision for the future of Dumfries during his annual State of the Town Address on June 5, 2025. From the John Wilmer Porter Municipal Building, Wood highlighted the town’s major milestones and ambitious plans, drawing applause from residents, community leaders, and elected officials in attendance.
Mayor Wood opened his remarks by paying tribute to the late Congressman Gerry Connolly (D), who died late last month, for his longtime support of small towns like Dumfries. He reflected on the town’s founding in 1749, its past decline, and its rebirth, most notably the 1961 election of John Wilmer Porter, Virginia’s first African American municipal official post-Reconstruction. “We hadn’t just lost our port — we lost our purpose,” said Wood, emphasizing how Dumfries has reconnected with its roots while looking ahead.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Covington-Harper Elementary School marked a special milestone this spring as its very first students returned—this time as high school seniors.
The school, which opened in 2017, welcomed back its original group of students for a celebratory “senior walk.” The event, shared by Prince William County Public Schools on Facebook, gave graduating 12th graders a chance to visit their former elementary teachers and inspire younger students.
According to a press release on May 8, the county’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism worked with outside firms Hunden Partners and Convergence Design to better understand the supply and demand in the area, the opportunities available in the corridor and what was needed to revitalize the area to create a Small Area Plan.
“The study notes that heavy traffic on nearby major roadways creates significant visibility for potential retailers, while the growing local population ensures a strong customer base,” the release states.
DUMFRIES, Va. – In the 1984 movie Footloose, a small town famously banned dancing, sparking pushback from teens who just wanted to have fun. This week in Dumfries, a similar debate surfaced over whether the small town is going too far with proposed new rules for music festivals.
During its May 6, 2025, meeting, the Dumfries Town Council held a public hearing on a proposal to revise the town’s Musical and Entertainment Festivals Ordinance. Among the proposed changes is a requirement that anyone under 18 be accompanied by an adult at outdoor concerts and festivals.
DUMFRIES, Va. – Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood invited the community to join him for a workout event just days after the unexpected death of his younger brother, 37-year-old Darron Smith.
Smith passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 2, 2025. In a heartfelt message, Mayor Wood described his brother as someone born for greatness—sharing a birthday with Super Bowl legend Doug Williams—and a constant presence in his life. “We shared so many moments side by side—from family to food trucks to faith,” Wood wrote. “And now my heart is broken.”
DUMFRIES, Va. – A two-year-old girl was found dead at the Red Roof Inn in Dumfries earlier this month, prompting a homicide investigation that led to the arrest of both of her parents on multiple felony charges, including murder and child neglect.
According to Prince William County Police, officers were called to the hotel at 17113 Dumfries Road on April 16 at 4:29 p.m. after fire and rescue crews reported the child was deceased. Preliminary findings showed no visible signs of trauma or immediate medical issues. A second child, under the age of six, was also in the room and was unharmed. That child has since been placed in the care of trusted parties.
