Potomac Local News

Published January 11, 2026 at 8:00PM | Updated January 11, 2026 at 8:18PM

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our community with my recent appointment to the Planning Commission by Supervisor Maya Guy,” Maureen Siegmund posted on Facebook. “After four years on the School Board, I’ve seen firsthand how decisions about growth, land use, and infrastructure directly impact our schools, neighborhoods, and families.”

“I’m also thankful to the Board of Supervisors who confirmed my appointment and I look forward to joining this team and to the conversations that will come,” Siegmund added. “It’s an honor to keep listening, learning, and working on behalf of the place we call home.”

Prince William

Mayoral race takes shape in Dumfries with Wood, Fields announcements

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 11, 2026 at 7:00PM

Wood/Fields

Two announcements this week set the stage for a contested mayoral race in the Town of Dumfries: incumbent Mayor Derrick R. Wood confirmed plans to seek another term, and Town Council Member Brian Fields formally launched his campaign for mayor.

Mayor Wood, who has led Dumfries since 2018, issued a statement clarifying his intentions after what he described as recent outreach from residents, business owners, and community leaders seeking certainty ahead of the upcoming election.

Weather

Is it too early to start talking about snow for our region?

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 11, 2026 at 6:00PM | Updated January 11, 2026 at 10:48PM

Short answer: not really — but it’s too early to panic.

As of Sunday, January 11, 2026, forecasters at the National Weather Service say the second half of the upcoming week and next weekend could bring multiple chances for wintry weather, especially for areas west of the Blue Ridge — with lower, but not zero, chances farther east.

Traffic

What December Ridership Shows — and Doesn’t — About OmniRide Commuter Demand

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 11, 2026 at 1:00PM

OmniRide reported higher commuter bus ridership in December, even as local routes declined, offering a mixed picture of transit demand in Prince William County heading into winter.

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Health

Hospitals Warn of Severe Flu Surge as ERs Fill Across Northern Virginia

By Potomac Local News

Published January 10, 2026 at 3:00PM

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical center sits at 2300 Opitz Boulevard in Woodbridge.

Area hospitals are warning residents that a serious flu and respiratory illness surge is straining emergency departments across Northern Virginia, prompting health leaders to urge patients with mild to moderate symptoms to seek care outside hospital emergency rooms when possible.

Hospitals across Virginia and Northern Virginia are reporting a significant increase in flu and other respiratory illnesses, putting pressure on emergency departments and extending wait times for patients.

Stafford

Brooke Point senior TJ Wilkerson scores 1,000th career point

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 10, 2026 at 11:00AM

Screenshot

Brooke Point High School senior TJ Wilkerson reached a major milestone Friday, January 9, 2025, scoring his 1,000th career point during a game in Stafford County.

According to TJ’s press agent, his doting mother, Wilkerson became just the second player in Brooke Point High School history to reach the 1,000-point mark. The milestone was achieved during Friday night’s game and was celebrated by the Brooke Point community.

Schools

Virginia first state to opt into Education Freedom Tax Credit program

By Potomac Local News

Published January 10, 2026 at 10:30AM

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) held a bill signing ceremony at Beanstalk, an indoor vertical farming company near Manassas. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

The Education Freedom Tax Credit, also called the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), allows individuals and businesses to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit—up to $1,700—when donating to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These funds will provide scholarships to help families pay for private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, and other services beginning in 2027.

In his announcement, Youngkin emphasized the program’s potential to help students with the greatest needs and praised former President Trump and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for their support of education choice. Eight SGOs, including two Virginia-based organizations—Step Up, Virginia! and the Torah Education Scholarship Fund—have been approved to serve local students.

Stafford

Stafford Man Crashes During Police Chase, Faces Multiple Charges

By Potomac Local News

Published January 10, 2026 at 10:00AM

A Stafford man was arrested early Wednesday morning after leading deputies on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash on I-95. The pursuit began when a deputy clocked the driver going 68 mph in a 45 mph zone near Warrenton Road and McLane Drive.

The driver, a 25-year-old man from Stafford, failed to stop and instead sped off, ultimately crashing near mile marker 130 on I-95 South. After the crash, deputies noted signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. A search uncovered two suspected controlled substances—one in the vehicle and one in the driver’s pocket.

Prince William

Dumfries receives $240,000 federal grant to make sidewalks safer and more accessible

By Potomac Local News

Published January 10, 2026 at 9:30AM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

Dumfries will use a new $240,000 federal grant to improve sidewalk accessibility and make local streets safer for pedestrians. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the money through its Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which supports efforts to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.

Town officials say the funding will help launch a planning and feasibility project to assess sidewalk conditions throughout Dumfries. The goal is to create a Sidewalk Accessibility and Walkability Action Plan that identifies gaps in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and prioritizes areas for improvement.