Potomac Local News

Hepburn and Sons Expanding in Prince William

Published July 20, 2026 at 7:54PM

Prince William Science Accelerator located in Innovation Park, Prince William County welcomes its fifth tenant - Celetrix LLC.

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Monday that Hepburn and Sons LLC, formerly based in Manassas, will invest $18.1 million to build a new corporate headquarters in Prince William County. The project is expected to create 80 new jobs.

The three-story, roughly 27,000-square-foot building will sit on 1.25 acres of county-owned land along Discovery Boulevard in Innovation Park, next to NOVA LIVE. Officials said the headquarters should be fully operational by the summer of 2028 and will serve as an innovation hub for defense technology development. The move responds to rising demand in the company’s defense contracting work.

Police Blotter

Police Blotter: Shooting, Attempted Carjacking Reported

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 7:45PM

[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Other reports in this daily roundup include a multi-charge narcotics and firearms arrest in Fredericksburg, an attempted carjacking involving a young child in Woodbridge, a brandishing arrest, an assault on an officer, and several DUI and related arrests in Stafford County.

On July 18 at 2:22 a.m., officers responded to the Center Plaza shopping center in the 4300 block of Dale Boulevard in Woodbridge to investigate a shooting. A 33-year-old man was walking in the parking lot when he was struck by gunfire. He sustained injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. No suspect information was available.

Manassas

What’s an ADU? Manassas Council Debates Rules for Secondary Homes on Single-Family Lots

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 8:50AM | Updated July 20, 2026 at 2:13PM

As Northern Virginia grapples with housing costs and limited options for families, aging residents, and multigenerational households, the Manassas City Council is moving forward with rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to align with state law while addressing local realities.

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Fredericksburg

Lobster, Pasta and Chef Ype Were Big Hits at Fredericksburg’s Silver Diner

By Mike Salmon

Published July 20, 2026 at 8:13AM

Chef Ype von Hengst (far left) and Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine (far right) join other local leaders and dignitaries for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the Silver Diner’s one-year anniversary at its Central Park location on July 26, 2026. (Photo: Mike Salmon)

It was a lobster fest at the Silver Diner in Fredericksburg on July 16, 2026, led by a well-known chef and founder in the Silver Diner world, Ype von Hengst.

He knew the exact portions by memory — except for the fresh tarragon that he threw in there for taste. “I hate measuring,” he said as he shook the pans over a gas flame in front of a large audience that had eyes on the lobster.

Obituaries

Community Mourns Beloved Montclair Waitress Peggy Curry

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 8:07AM

Peggy Curry, left, the dedicated front-of-house manager who died while working at Montclair Family Restaurant on July 11, 2026, pictured with owner Francesco Leone. Curry was a beloved community figure and seven-time Best of Prince William award winner known for her kindness and warmth.

Peggy Curry, 69, of Woodbridge, passed away July 11, 2026. She was a longtime waitress at Montclair Family Restaurant, a beloved local spot outside Dumfries where she served customers for more than 30 years.

Known affectionately as “Mom” to staff and regulars, Curry was the face of the restaurant at 17001 Dumfries Road. Many families she served as children now bring their own kids there, and the community rallied around her in the past when she faced health challenges.

Prince William

Prince William County Sees Two Traffic Deaths Days Apart

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 8:01AM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

On July 18 at about 10:53 p.m., a 36-year-old man identified as Michael Hall was riding eastbound on Old Bridge Road near Colby Drive when he lost control of his 2014 Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle while navigating a right curve. He crossed into the median, struck a metal sign and guardrail, and was transported to a hospital where he later died. Speed is believed to be a factor, according to police.

Earlier, on July 10 at 6:31 a.m., 78-year-old John Gregory Grace of Occoquan was struck by a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee while crossing the Gordon Boulevard entry and exit lanes at the Occoquan Commuter Lot at 1325 Old Bridge Road. Grace, who was not in a designated crosswalk, died from his injuries. The driver, Arlen Yessenia Vivas Perez, 42, of Woodbridge, remained at the scene and was later charged with disregarding a stop sign.

Prince William

Prince William County Mulls Ending By-Right Data Center Development – A Move That Could Save Jiffy Lube Live

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 7:56AM

“The Prince William County Planning Commission voted earlier this week to recommend that the county stop allowing data centers to build ‘by right,’ or without county approval – a move that could keep Jiffy Lube Live and other key areas from being swallowed up by computer server farms,” Prince William Times reported. The commission voted 5-2 to recommend shrinking the data center opportunity zone overlay district from about 9,700 acres to 3,500 acres, requiring special use permits for new projects and removing sites like Jiffy Lube Live and planned school land from by-right development.

This proposal, advanced by local leaders including Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson and Supervisor Tom Gordy, addresses long-standing concerns over skyrocketing land values and data center proliferation in Northern Virginia, with 148 facilities already built, under construction, or planned in the county. Supervisors are expected to consider the zoning text amendment in September.

Stafford

Stafford County Pools Now Open Following Woodlands Closure

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 7:50AM

Woodlands Pool

Stafford County Government reported that Curtis Pool and Woodlands Pool are both open as of Sunday, July 19. The county had closed Woodlands Pool on July 16 after a glass item broke and entered the pool, but it has since reopened following cleaning and safety inspections.

Stafford County Parks and Recreation continues to prioritize patron safety while managing summer recreation programs, with updates provided for any rescheduled rentals or lessons. This ensures local families in Northern Virginia have access to public pools during the warm season.

Prince William

Prince William Supervisors Shoot Down Two Proposed Lines for Nokesville to Bristow Transmission Project

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 20, 2026 at 7:44AM

Gordy

InsideNova reported that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution eliminating the “blue” and “light blue” routes for Dominion Energy’s Nokesville to Bristow 230 kilovolt transmission line project across county property. The board stated it does not support granting Dominion access to county easements for Routes 5 and 12.

The decision, praised by Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy, protects areas like Broad Run Linear Park’s tree preserve and reflects strong community advocacy from neighborhoods including Braemar and Victory Lakes. Dominion Energy confirmed the blue route’s elimination, with the State Corporation Commission set to make the final call and a community meeting scheduled for July 23 at Patriot High School.

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