Locals Only Archives - Page 50 of 182

Published January 23, 2025 at 2:46PM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:17AM

Prince William County’s plans for an indoor sports complex in Woodbridge face a significant shift following this week’s decision by the Board of County Supervisors to allocate $250,000 for a consultant to determine the best use for the site. The 21.85-acre property near I-95 and the state’s most enormous commuter lot, the Horner Road lot, had been the centerpiece of a proposal to build a large indoor recreation facility to attract travel teams and host major events like graduations.

The property, once proposed as the location for a large indoor sports and recreation facility, is now part of a broader development plan. County officials aim to aggregate the land with four adjacent parcels, totaling nearly 50 acres of county- and state-owned land, including existing commuter parking lots. The mission is to transform the area into a community hub that harmonizes living, working, and leisure spaces while generating jobs and tax revenue.

Known colloquially as Prince William Landing, the area was previously considered as a potential site for a new Washington Commanders football stadium alongside another location near Potomac Mills mall. Both sites were discussed as part of efforts to keep the team in Northern Virginia after its lease on FedEx Field expires in 2027. However, those plans did not materialize.

According to county documents, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, along with the Finance Department and Office of Procurement Services, is leading the effort to attract a strategic real estate partner. The process will follow the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA) to identify a development partner capable of delivering a project that strengthens the county’s sense of place and meets diverse community needs.

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Originals

Lack of Medical Examiner’s Report Delays Dumfries Fatal Shooting Case

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 23, 2025 at 8:52AM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:17AM

The preliminary hearing for Tryevon Davis, one of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Jason Thomas Blake in Dumfries, has been delayed due to the pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s report. This critical evidence is being handled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Northern District office.

Davis, along with Jerrome Thomas Barnes, 40, and Jackson Arthur Crisler, 30, face charges stemming from a fatal shooting on October 25, 2024. Police said Blake had gone to a residence on Cherry Hill Road in Dumfries to sell a firearm and purchase narcotics. An altercation ensued, leading to Blake being handcuffed, abducted, and taken to a secluded area along Triangle Street, where he was fatally shot. His body was discovered two days later in the backseat of his car.

The Prince William County Police Department charged Davis, 31, of Dumfries, with accessory before the fact in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and abduction. Barnes and Crisler face additional charges, including murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All three suspects remain in custody without bond.

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Originals

Panhandling Debate Sparks Mixed Opinions Among Stafford Supervisors

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 22, 2025 at 10:42PM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:17AM

A debate over proposed legislation targeting panhandling in road medians sparked a spirited discussion among Stafford County Supervisors during their January 21 meeting. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County), seeks to impose fines on motorists and pedestrians who exchange items in roadway medians to improve safety and reduce traffic disruptions.

The legislation was also a topic of discussion on the Potomac Local News Podcast, where Milde elaborated on his rationale behind the bill in an interview with Publisher Uriah Kiser.
During the podcast, Milde emphasized the safety and traffic issues posed by panhandling in medians.

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Prince William

14 Prince William Schools May Receive $81 Million for HVAC Improvements

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published January 22, 2025 at 1:00PM

Dale City Elementary School is one of the schools to receive HVAC replacements within the next five years. [Photo courtesy of Dale City Elementary via Facebook]

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Prince William

After Narrow Senate Loss, Guzman Seeks Comeback in House Race

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 22, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated January 22, 2025 at 11:17AM

Guzman

Elizabeth Guzman, a Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates, seeks to reclaim a legislative seat in the 22nd District, currently held by Republican Ian Lovejoy. Guzman, who last ran for office in 2023 in a contentious Democratic Primary for the Virginia State Senate, narrowly lost to State Senator Jeremy McPike (D-29, Prince William, Stafford) by just 50 votes.

2023 Democratic Primary Results:

Jeremy S. McPike: 6,321 votes (50.2%)
Elizabeth R. Guzman: 6,271 votes (49.8%)

District 22 includes western Prince William County, Bristow, and Nokesville portions. Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) has introduced legislative proposals to regulate the rapid growth of data centers in Northern Virginia.

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Originals

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Moves Forward with New Fire Station in Brentsville District

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 21, 2025 at 10:52PM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:20AM

In a pivotal discussion during the January 21, 2025, meeting, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved funding measures for a new fire station in the Brentsville District, addressing a pressing need for expanded emergency services. The debate revolved around whether to utilize proffer funds—developer-contributed resources earmarked for public infrastructure—or tap into the county’s fire levy fund.

Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy initiated an amendment to the funding resolution, proposing the use of Brentsville District fire proffers “to the greatest extent possible” before considering the fire levy fund. With $3 million available in Brentsville fire proffers, Gordy emphasized aligning these restricted funds with their intended purpose: supporting fire and rescue services.

“This approach ensures that we prioritize restricted funds before relying on broader resources like the fire levy,” Gordy explained.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg City Council Advances Plan to Create Data Center Technology District Amid Accelerated Timeline and Public Debate

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 21, 2025 at 10:56AM

Fredericksburg City Hall

The Fredericksburg City Council took a significant step toward attracting data center development on Monday, January 14, by voting unanimously to initiate amendments to the city’s 2015 comprehensive plan, unified development ordinance (UDO), and zoning map. The proposed changes aim to establish a Technology Overlay District (TOD) that would designate roughly 250 acres in the city as a site for data centers and related uses near the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium.

Currently, the city does not have server farms like those sprouting up in surrounding jurisdictions, such as Stafford, Spotsylvania, Prince William, and King George counties. Unlike their neighbors, the city has far fewer acres of land to devote to the sprawling tech campuses.

“This is a critical opportunity for Fredericksburg to position itself as a competitive player in the tech industry,” said Mayor Kerry P. Devine. “By concentrating development in a single campus-like district, we can ensure infrastructure is used efficiently while minimizing environmental and community impacts.”

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Manassas

Manassas City Unanimously Approves Towing Fee Increase

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published January 21, 2025 at 10:54AM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:20AM

[Jonathan Reynaga via Pexels]

At the Jan. 13 meeting, the Manassas City Council unanimously voted to increase the city’s towing fees.

The “light duty” basic police accident tow and clean up — which includes the towing and removal of a car involved in a crash and cleaning the crash site of minor debris — fee would increase from $290 to $375. The non-accident fee — requiring a vehicle to be towed not in the case of an accident — would increase from $210 to $250.

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Manassas

79% of Manassas Residents Think it’s a Good Place to Live, Survey Finds

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published January 20, 2025 at 9:00AM

One area of the city indicated they think Manassas is an excellent place to live (dark blue), while the rest said it was overall a good place to live (light blue). [Courtesy of the City of Manassas]

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Manassas

Manassas Voter Turnout Dips in 2024, Early Voting Gains Popularity

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 18, 2025 at 1:37PM | Updated January 19, 2025 at 2:15PM

On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Manassas City Council received the Electoral Board’s annual report, presented by Pamela Kincheloe, who is secretary of the city’s electoral board. The report highlighted voter participation trends, the logistics of the 2024 election, and the city’s electoral outcomes. The 2024 voter turnout was 65.46%, down from 72.6% in 2020 and 66.7% in 2016. Early voting continued to grow, accounting for 44.73% of total votes, surpassing in-person voting on Election Day (43.22%), while mail-in voting made up 12.05%. Sunday voting also saw an increase, with 131 voters participating compared to previous years. Turnout by precinct ranged from 61% at Dean Elementary to 73.71% at Rand Elementary. Same-day registration presented logistical challenges, particularly at Weems Elementary, where wait times were extended due to high demand and the additional burden of curbside voting. Same-day voter registration, which began in Virginia with the 2022 General Election, allows individuals to register and vote provisionally after the traditional registration deadline.

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