Potomac Local News

Published August 4, 2026 at 10:50AM

National Night Out in Prince William County in October 2020.

Local police and sheriff’s departments across Northern Virginia are hosting National Night Out gatherings on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, inviting residents to connect with officers, enjoy family activities, and strengthen community partnerships. Details from Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William County, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania follow below; Stafford County’s event is scheduled later in the season.

The Town of Dumfries Police Department is hosting National Night Out for an evening of fun, food, family, and community. Residents can meet local officers, explore police vehicles and equipment, enjoy activities for all ages, and connect with neighbors. More information from the Town of Dumfries Police Department.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Soda Fountain Returns Friday

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 4, 2026 at 10:34AM

Goolrick’s, the downtown Fredericksburg landmark home to what it calls America’s longest-running soda fountain, reopens Friday, Aug. 7, after a four-year restoration of the 1808 building at 901 Caroline Street. Jarrell Properties Inc. will host a ribbon-cutting before doors open at 11 a.m., with the first 50 guests in line receiving free merchandise. Regular hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The lunch counter returns with restored original tin ceilings, hand-laid tile, and classic menu items such as chicken salad, egg salad, and grilled cheese sandwiches, plus hand-mixed sodas, milkshakes, and malts. Executive Chef D’Andre Sykes, who previously worked at Michelin-starred Elske in Chicago and other notable restaurants, will lead the kitchen.

Traffic

Prince William County Hosts First Meeting on $93 Million Parkway-Clover Hill Interchange

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 4, 2026 at 10:24AM

“The Prince William County Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation and the city of Manassas, hosted the first community meeting on the $93 million Clover Hill-Parkway interchange project at the Washington Manassas Airport July 30,” InsideNoVA reported. Proposed plans include a diverging diamond interchange at Prince William Parkway and Clover Hill Road plus a single-lane roundabout at Clover Hill Road and Godwin Drive, along with an ADA-compliant shared-use path, to reduce congestion, improve safety and support expected growth from Washington Manassas Airport expansion. The project is about 15% designed and roughly 30% funded, with public comments accepted through Aug. 12.

Officials said full funding would lead to roughly five years of remaining work. A nearby Clover Hill Road homeowner described the existing four-way stop as highly dangerous due to frequent speeding and crashes, expressing support for the planned safety upgrades.

Weather

Warm Front Brings Overnight Storm Chance, Urban Flooding Concern

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 4, 2026 at 10:18AM

A warm front will lift north through the region tonight, bringing increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms along with a potential for localized urban flooding. Dry conditions are expected for most of the area today before the front advances. Tropical moisture will return, supporting high rain rates in any storms that develop.

Police Blotter

Police Blotter: Murder Suspect Arrested in Woodbridge Domestic Shooting

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 3, 2026 at 4:57PM

[Photo: Alan Gloss]

A murder suspect was arrested in connection with a Woodbridge domestic shooting, a 16-year-old died after being shot at a car meet, and a 13-year-old remains wanted for wounding a family member, while Stafford County deputies made multiple arrests for assaults, shoplifting, DUIs and other offenses over the weekend.

On August 2, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force members arrested Thomas Lynwood Brown, 23, of Triangle, in connection with the July 27 fatal shooting of a 21-year-old Gainesville man. The incident occurred during a domestic altercation at a home in the 13400 block of Grayson Hill Circle (Fitzgerald apartments) in Woodbridge. Police said Brown produced a firearm and shot the victim in the upper body before leaving. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Brown is charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Court date pending; bond unavailable.

Manassas

FAA Clears Major Environmental Hurdle for Washington Manassas Airport Commercial Service

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 3, 2026 at 3:00PM

A rendering shows passenger planes serving the Manassas Regional Airport Terminal.

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision for the environmental assessment of the project to bring commercial passenger service to Washington Manassas Airport (HEF).

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Manassas

New Jennie Dean Elementary to open with ribbon cutting Tuesday; students return Aug. 12

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 3, 2026 at 2:00PM

Manassas City Public Schools will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School building on Tuesday, August 4.

Officials announced the milestone during a recent School Board meeting, expressing excitement about welcoming students and staff into the new facility. Students are scheduled to return to class on August 12.

Stafford

FBI affidavit: Former Stafford sergeant paid for and received child sexual abuse material depicting children as young as 8 and an infant

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 3, 2026 at 11:44AM

Forman

A federal affidavit unsealed in the Eastern District of Virginia details how a then-Stafford County Sheriff’s Office patrol sergeant allegedly ordered and paid for child sexual abuse material through Telegram, including files that agents reviewed depicting a girl as young as 8 years old and a male infant under 1 year old.

Justin Thomas Lee Forman, 37, of Fredericksburg, is charged with knowingly receiving a visual depiction involving the use of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252(a)(2) and (b)(1). The complaint asserts probable cause that the offense occurred at least on or about July 6, 2023, while Forman was employed as a patrol sergeant.

Manassas

Ice Cream Social Celebrates New Partnership

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 3, 2026 at 11:29AM

ARTfactory and the Didlake Foundation are hosting an ice cream social on Tuesday to celebrate their new artWORKS Collaborative partnership. The free event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at the ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street in Manassas.

The gathering highlights partnership, creativity, community and inclusion. Organizers say it offers a chance to mark the impact of organizations working together to create meaningful opportunities and strengthen the community. All are welcome.

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