Schools

Hansford Wins Back Job: Arbitrator Slams PWCS for Union Discrimination in Hiring Denial

By Uriah Kiser

In a decision that underscores the protections afforded to union leaders under Virginia’s collective bargaining laws, a neutral arbitrator has ruled that Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) committed unfair labor practices by refusing to rehire former Prince William Education Association (PWEA) President Mary “Maggie” Hansford in August 2025. Hansford, who led the union through historic wage negotiations, described the ruling as a moment of “relief and gratitude” in an exclusive statement to Potomac Local News.

The case centers on PWCS’s denial of Hansford’s applications for a speech-language pathologist position and a substitute teacher role. The school division cited media reports of a Virginia Education Association (VEA) audit alleging mismanagement during Hansford’s PWEA presidency, which led to an emergency trusteeship imposed on July 21, 2025. The trusteeship, which suspended Hansford and the PWEA board, was upheld following a contentious 14-hour hearing in August 2025.

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Prince William

Woodbridge District Supervisor Special Election Set for Tuesday, March 10, 2026

By Uriah Kiser
Casim, LaCroix, Montgomery

Prince William County voters in the Woodbridge Magisterial District head to the polls tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in a special election to fill a vacancy on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.

The seat became vacant after former Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin won a special election in January 2026 for the Virginia House of Delegates’ 23rd District. The Circuit Court ordered the special election to replace her.

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Traffic

Two Killed In Woodbridge Wrong Way Crash

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Officers responded around 6:45 p.m. March 8 to the intersection of Cardinal Drive and Whips Run Drive in Woodbridge after reports of a multi-vehicle collision, according to Prince William County police.

Investigators say a 2015 Hyundai Genesis was traveling the wrong way in the eastbound lanes of Cardinal Drive when it struck a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe head-on. The force of the crash pushed the Santa Fe into a 2025 GMC Hummer also traveling eastbound. Debris from the crash struck an unoccupied 2024 Honda Accord parked in a nearby driveway on Whips Run Drive.

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Stafford

Stafford County Schools Adjust Calendar for April 21 Special Election on Congressional Redistricting

By Uriah Kiser
Kindergarten students get off the bus at Park Ridge Elementary School on "transition day," Monday, August 11, 2025. [Photo: Stafford County Public Schools]

In a letter sent to families, Superintendent Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D., explained that the Stafford County Board of Elections designated 22 schools as polling sites for the statewide special election, prompting the need to swap instructional days.

The superintendent noted that the division learned only recently that the election would proceed as planned, limiting the ability to provide earlier notice.

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Business

Business Leaders Invited to Manassas Reception

By Uriah Kiser
[Courtesy of the City of Manassas]

The Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host a networking reception next month in Manassas as the organization expands its presence into Prince William County.

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Schools

Student Makes Farm Bureau History

By Uriah Kiser
Ringer

A Brentsville District High School senior has become the first high school student in the nation to serve as chair of a county Farm Bureau committee, according to Prince William County Public Schools.

Hunter Ringer, president of the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, was selected to lead the Prince William-Fairfax Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee after the position was left vacant for the year. Farm Bureau President Stephanie Cornnell proposed Ringer for the role after noticing his leadership and dedication to agricultural education.

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Stafford

Your Water Bill Could Rise: Stafford Advances Rate Increases While Data Centers Help Pay for New Pipes

By Uriah Kiser

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized advertising public hearings on March 3, 2026, for proposed adjustments to water, sewer, and reclaimed water rates, including new fees designed to recover costs from data center-related infrastructure while introducing equity measures for commercial users.

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Business

Salvation Army Relocates to Woodbridge Shopping Center

By Uriah Kiser

The Salvation Army has successfully relocated its thrift store from its former site in Gordon Plaza to a prominent new space at Woodbridge Shopping Center, strengthening its presence in the community.

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Features

Paws for Healing: SNVMC’s Therapy Dog Program Grows to Five, Bringing Comfort to Patients and Staff

By Uriah Kiser

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has expanded its therapy dog program from one to five certified therapy dogs over the past year. The program provides comfort and emotional support to patients, families, and team members throughout the hospital.

National research indicates that therapy dog visits in hospitals reduce patient anxiety by an average of 34 percent during short interactions.

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