Potomac Local News

Published March 15, 2026 at 6:47PM

Severe weather prompts widespread school adjustments across Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg on Monday, March 16, as a strong cold front brings risks of damaging winds over 70 mph and possible tornadoes.

Prince William County Public Schools will dismiss two hours early, Manassas Park City Schools will dismiss two hours early with specific times by level, Manassas City Public Schools will operate on early release with no PreK, while Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, and Fredericksburg City Public Schools will close fully or shift to remote learning.

Manassas

Overnight House Fire on Signal Hill Road

By Potomac Local News

Published March 15, 2026 at 3:55PM

Photo: Manassas fire and rescue

Fire crews from the City of Manassas, Manassas Park Fire Rescue, and Prince William Professional Firefighters responded to a house fire in the 8500 block of Signal Hill Road around midnight on March 14. Units arrived to find heavy flames coming from the garage and attic, with the fire spreading to a neighboring home.

Manassas City Police officers arrived first and quickly evacuated nearby homes, helping prevent injuries. A second alarm was called as a precaution for extra resources. The fire was brought under control, though damage extended to at least two structures.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Groups Get Grants to Fight Homelessness

By Potomac Local News

Published March 15, 2026 at 2:27PM

Micah organizes the "Coldest Night of the Year" in Fredericksburg, to raise awareness for homelessness. (Photo | Micah)

Three organizations in the Fredericksburg area have received grants to help reduce homelessness and boost housing stability.

The funding comes from the Virginia Housing Trust Fund Homeless Reduction Grant program. Governor Abigail Spanberger, Democrat, announced the statewide allocation of $14 million for 61 projects on March 11, 2026. The grants support permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and innovative programs for vulnerable groups.

Prince William

Woodbridge Forum Tackles Democrats’ Redistricting Push

By Potomac Local News

Published March 15, 2026 at 2:23PM

The Prince William Committee of 100 (PWC100), a nonpartisan local business and civic group serving Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park, is hosting a community forum on Virginia’s proposed redistricting constitutional amendment. The event, “The Rush to Remap: Are You Ballot-Ready?”, takes place Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Brittany’s Restaurant in Woodbridge.

Networking starts at 6 p.m., with the program beginning at 7 p.m. and running until 9 p.m. The forum includes a buffet dinner featuring salmon, lemon pepper chicken, BBQ meatballs, Caesar salad, roasted potatoes, rice, vegetable medley, cheesecake, and soft drinks, plus a cash bar. Tickets cost $35 for PWC100 members and $40 for non-members, with registration required.

Prince William

Longtime Arc Leader Karen Smith Dies

By Potomac Local News

Published March 15, 2026 at 2:11PM

The Arc of Greater Prince William/INSIGHT announced the passing of its longtime Executive Director, Karen Smith. She served the organization for 58 years, shaping services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) across Prince William County.

Smith led with integrity and vision, opening the county’s first residential program for adults with ID/DD and helping build one of the area’s largest transportation fleets for those services. Her efforts also supported closing state-run institutions, allowing more community-based living. The organization, based in Woodbridge, provides residential, childcare, and support programs that touch thousands of local families.

Prince William

Two Killed in High-Speed Nokesville Crash as Corvette Strikes Tree

By Potomac Local News

Published March 15, 2026 at 1:57PM

[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Prince William County police were called at 12:04 p.m. to the intersection of Parkgate Drive and Old Church Road in Nokesville for reports of the crash.

Investigators determined that the driver was traveling north on Parkgate Drive, just beyond Old Church Road, at a high rate of speed when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree. Both occupants were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Fredericksburg

Masked Intruder Boards Fredericksburg School Bus, Assaults JMHS Staffer

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 13, 2026 at 9:11PM

A 32-year-old Spotsylvania man was arrested Friday morning after he allegedly boarded a Fredericksburg city school bus while masked, attempted to enter James Monroe High School, and assaulted a staff member when denied access, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department and Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS).

The incident occurred at approximately 7:40 a.m. on March 13, 2026, at the high school in Fredericksburg. Police reported the man boarded a city school bus illegally and arrived at James Monroe High School. Upon attempting to enter the building, the school staff refused him access.

Stafford

Stafford Planning Commission Grants Buc-ee’s Another Extension

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 13, 2026 at 3:00PM

The Stafford County Planning Commission unanimously approved a four-month extension for Buc-ee’s proposed travel center on March 11, 2026, despite calls from residents to reject the request and force the company to restart the application process.

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Features

Manassas Young Marines March to the Top: Division 1 Unit of the Year Celebrates Leadership, Service, and Family

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published March 13, 2026 at 2:00PM

[Photo: Manassas Young Marines Facebook page]

The Manassas Young Marines, a dedicated unit of the national youth development program, has just been named Division 1 Unit of the Year—a testament to years of hard work, heart, and community impact.

The national Young Marines is a nonprofit youth education and service program open to boys and girls ages 8 through high school graduation (or age 18+). It emphasizes character building, leadership, discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to drug-free, healthy living—drawing inspiration from Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, without requiring any military family background or pushing enlistment.

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