Potomac Local News

Published January 7, 2026 at 7:00AM

The ARTfactory in Manassas will host its 22nd Annual Off the Wall High School Art Exhibit & Competition awards ceremony on Saturday, January 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, with awards announced at 2:30 p.m. Guests can meet student artists, view the exhibit, and enjoy a live judging of Wearable Art designs.

This year’s exhibit, running from December 18, 2025, through January 25, 2026, features work by more than 70 students from nine Prince William County high schools. Categories include Art & Technology, Painting/Drawing, Poetry, Wearable Art, and Photography, with professional adjudicators selecting winners in each.

Features

Leopold’s Preserve draws 20,000 visitors a year, foundation tells Haymarket officials

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 6, 2026 at 3:00PM

Representatives of the White House Farm Foundation presented an overview of Leopold’s Preserve to the Haymarket Town Council on Monday, detailing the conservation property’s history, public access, and ongoing stewardship efforts.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

Prince William

From data centers to school meals, Roem and Thomas preview 2026 session in Haymarket

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 6, 2026 at 2:00PM

State Sen. Danica Roem and Del. Josh Thomas, both Democrats, briefed the Haymarket Town Council on their legislative priorities for the 2026 Virginia General Assembly during the council’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, highlighting proposals tied to data centers, energy infrastructure, education, and local government authority.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

Business

Buc-ee’s asks Stafford planners to delay review of proposed travel center

By Mauriah Church-Barbour

Published January 6, 2026 at 9:00AM

“Buc-ees has asked the Stafford Planning Commission to defer holding a second public hearing on its proposed project at the intersection of Courthouse Road and Austin Ridge Drive in the Garrisonville district,” FXBG Advance reported.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Stafford

Stafford County Fire & Rescue to Host January Blood Drive With Inova

By Mauriah Church-Barbour

Published January 6, 2026 at 8:30AM

Join Stafford County Fire & Rescue in starting the year by saving lives[Submitted Photo].

“A single donation can help up to three patients in our region,” the post continued. “As a thank-you, donors will receive a specialty sweatshirt in honor of National Blood Donor Month.”

The blood drive is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Gym, located at 1201 Courthouse Road in Stafford. Donors are asked to bring a photo ID and allow about one hour for the donation. Appointments can be scheduled online or by phone.

Fredericksburg

Rappahannock health officials urge residents to make wellness a priority in 2026

By Mauriah Church-Barbour

Published January 6, 2026 at 8:00AM

As the New Year begins, the Rappahannock Area Health District is encouraging residents to take small, steady steps toward healthier living in 2026. The agency, which serves Fredericksburg and the surrounding region, shared a list of simple wellness habits and local health programs to help residents stick to their resolutions.

Interim Health Director Dr. David C. Rose emphasized starting with manageable goals. “Together, we can make 2026 a year of stronger bodies and calmer minds,” Rose said in a press release. Tips include getting at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly, eating more fruits and vegetables, prioritizing sleep and stress management, and keeping up with regular health screenings.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg swears in new City Council members at historic Market House

By Mauriah Church-Barbour

Published January 6, 2026 at 7:30AM

We congratulate Councilors Matthew Rowe, Joy Crump, Susanna Finn, and Charlie Frye, Jr. and look forward to the work ahead for our community.[Submitted Photo].

“Vice-Mayor Frye was unanimously elected by the council to continue to serve as Vice-Mayor,” the city stated.

The ceremony was held at the Fredericksburg Area Museum, home to the historic Town Hall Market House, which city officials note is the second oldest continuously used town hall in the nation. The swearing-in marked the formal start of the new City Council’s term and included the council’s annual organizational meeting.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Masons to honor Revolutionary War General George Weedon with wreath ceremony

By Mauriah Church-Barbour

Published January 6, 2026 at 7:00AM

Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 will host a wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday, January 10, to honor General George Weedon, a Revolutionary War hero and early Fredericksburg civic leader. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Masonic Cemetery, at the intersection of Charles and George Streets, where Weedon is buried.

The Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, M.W. Matthew Todd Szramoski, will lead the tribute as part of his Founders’ Footsteps Commemoration Tour. The tour highlights the contributions of Virginia Freemasons to the American Revolution. Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to a reception and tour of the historic Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, located at 803 Princess Anne Street.

Opinion

Why Dumfries Needs an Economic Development Authority Now

By Letters to the Editor

Published January 5, 2026 at 3:00PM | Updated January 5, 2026 at 3:17PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

Turning opportunity into results is one of the biggest challenges facing any town—and Dumfries is no exception. Ideas aren’t the problem; execution is. That’s why so many Virginia communities have created Economic Development Authorities (EDAs): to turn readiness into results.

An EDA is a public entity established under Virginia law to help towns attract investment, manage development, and implement projects more effectively. It doesn’t make policy or replace elected officials. It serves as a capacity tool to support execution, allowing towns like Dumfries to move faster and smarter when opportunities arise.