Stafford

They said it was impossible… Stafford residents just stalled the Kraken

By Uriah Kiser

A Stafford-based citizen group says Dominion Energy has delayed filing key segments of its proposed high-voltage transmission line and split the project in two, giving opponents more time to organize.

In an email to supporters this month, Towering Concerns said Dominion is postponing its State Corporation Commission application for segments 3 through 7 of what the utility now calls the North Anna to Bristers 500 kV and 230 kV project. The group said Dominion will file the southern portion in the coming weeks and the northern portion — which includes all of Stafford County — within a year.

Go to They said it was impossible… Stafford residents just stalled the Kraken Read more
Newslinks

News Links: Bhatt Murder Trial, ICE Detentions, Gainesville Data Centers, Parking Tickets

By Uriah Kiser

A high-profile murder trial jury pool, reported ICE detentions after a fatal quinceañera shooting, and renewed plans for multiple data centers in Gainesville lead this roundup of Prince William County and Northern Virginia news, alongside a new parking ticket towing policy and a Youngkin-backed school choice campaign.

“A Prince William County judge ruled that 300 potential jurors – more than four times the usual number – will be summoned for the upcoming trial of Naresh Bhatt, the Manassas Park man accused of killing his wife,” Prince William Times reported. Judge Kimberly A. Irving cited extensive media coverage and the expected seven-week length of the trial, set to begin Oct. 5, as reasons for the larger pool and plans to select four alternate jurors.

Go to News Links: Bhatt Murder Trial, ICE Detentions, Gainesville Data Centers, Parking Tickets Read more
Manassas

Manassas School Board ‘Secret Vote’ Fight Delayed

By Uriah Kiser
Manassas City School Board

A Prince William County General District Court hearing on Manassas City School Board Member Sara Brescia’s Freedom of Information Act petition has been continued from Tuesday, Aug. 18, to Sept. 24.

Brescia filed the petition for a writ of mandamus on Aug. 11 (Case GV26019633-00), alleging that a majority of the board, facilitated by Chair Jill Spall, held an unlawful electronic or telephonic meeting and vote in violation of Virginia’s FOIA. The vote directed Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman to open a full investigation, using outside counsel, into allegations first raised by Board Member Diana Brown.

Go to Manassas School Board ‘Secret Vote’ Fight Delayed Read more
Fredericksburg

Stan Jones Appointed to Fredericksburg City School Board; Kay Absent from Swearing-In

By Uriah Kiser
Dr. Stan Jones, center, poses with board members after being sworn in Monday as the new at-large representative on the Fredericksburg City School Board. (Photo by Sue Nelson Sargent)

The Fredericksburg City School Board on Monday appointed Dr. Stan Jones to fill the vacant at-large seat, with the longtime educator and nonprofit leader sworn in during a special meeting.Jones, CEO of Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) in Prince William County, will serve as an interim member through the end of 2026. Voters will elect a permanent representative in November to complete the remainder of the term left open by Jarvis Bailey’s resignation, which runs through December 2027.

The appointment followed a competitive process. According to reporting by the Fredericksburg Free Press, Jones was one of five applicants who interviewed with the board. The others were Justin Carter, Beth Flanagan, Jacob Parcell, and Anthony Watkins. The Free Press reported that correspondence sent to board members showed Jones was the only candidate to draw written public support from residents, with 15 people urging his appointment. Read the Free Press report here.

Go to Stan Jones Appointed to Fredericksburg City School Board; Kay Absent from Swearing-In Read more
Manassas

What’s Next for Washington Manassas Airport After Environmental Clearance

By Uriah Kiser

With the Federal Aviation Administration’s Finding of No Significant Impact now in hand, Washington Manassas Airport and its private partner Avports are shifting focus to the remaining steps required before commercial passenger flights can begin.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to What’s Next for Washington Manassas Airport After Environmental Clearance Read more
Fredericksburg

Virginia Congressman Eugene Vindman’s Meeting with Transgender Democrats Erupts into Profanity

By Uriah Kiser
Vindman

“Rep. Eugene Vindman faced a heated confrontation with transgender constituents and local Democrats in King George County over his May vote for Republican-backed H.R. 2616, legislation that would require parental consent before schools change a minor student’s gender markers, pronouns, or accommodations, leading to a profane hallway exchange and his abrupt departure,” The Advocate reported. Attendees challenged the first-term Democrat’s support for the measure, sharing personal accounts of being outed to unsupportive parents, while Vindman defended the vote as rooted in parental rights before later issuing an apology for failing to listen.

The clash occurred during a Tuesday meeting with the King George County Democratic Committee in the solidly Republican locality within Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, where Vindman has held no prior public town hall and where local LGBTQ+ students recently sued over the denial of a gay-straight alliance at the middle school.

Go to Virginia Congressman Eugene Vindman’s Meeting with Transgender Democrats Erupts into Profanity Read more
Manassas

Manassas City Education Foundation awards $42,700 in scholarships, restarts educator grants

By Uriah Kiser

The Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation closed its FY 25-26 year with a bank balance of $167,899.05 and reported increased scholarship awards and the return of educator grants during a presentation to the Manassas City School Board.

Executive Director Carol Hartt delivered the update, introduced by Director of Public Communications and Community Relations Almeta Radford. Foundation board president Jimmy Conroy was unable to attend.

Go to Manassas City Education Foundation awards $42,700 in scholarships, restarts educator grants Read more
Spotsylvania

More Than 100 Vehicles Involved in Blaze

By Uriah Kiser

Just after 4 a.m. Monday, Spotsylvania Fire and Rescue units responded to a large fire at the Pick-A-Part auto salvage yard in the 9000 block of Patriot Highway. Crews found a significant blaze involving multiple vehicles that spread through the junkyard; more than 100 vehicles are believed to have been involved.

More than 30 fire and rescue personnel remained on scene later in the morning extinguishing remaining fire and conducting overhaul operations, with crews expected to stay for several more hours. No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters, according to an update from the Spotsylvania Emergency Communications Center.

Go to More Than 100 Vehicles Involved in Blaze Read more
View More Stories