Opinion

EDITOR’S NOTE: Question 1 on the Nov. 3 ballot is officially titled a “Right to Reproductive Freedom” amendment. If approved, it would write a constitutional right to abortion into the Virginia Constitution (codifying abortion in Virginia’s constitution), while allowing the state to restrict abortion in the third trimester except when a physician judges it necessary to protect the pregnant person’s life or physical or mental health, or when the fetus is not viable. Early voting begins Friday, Sept. 18.

Early voting starts Friday. On the November ballot, Virginians will decide whether to write a right to abortion into the state constitution.


Fredericksburg

The Fredericksburg Nationals’ 2026 season ended Thursday night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.

Fayetteville completed a two-game sweep of the Carolina League North Division Series with an 8-1 win in Game 2, after taking Game 1 on the road Sept. 8, 4-2. The Woodpeckers advance to the league championship series against Charleston.


Prince William

Readers across Prince William, Stafford and nearby towns told Potomac Local they smelled a sulfur, sewage or rotten-egg odor Saturday morning. Some said it faded by early afternoon. One Woodbridge reader said it came back Saturday evening.

Prince William Fire and Rescue took 21 “outside gas leak” calls between 7:20 a.m. and 1:18 p.m. Crews smelled sulfur. Four-gas meters read normal. Washington Gas reported no system issue. No source has been identified. No shelter-in-place order was issued.


Event

Manassas Latino Festival is the oldest Hispanic/Latino, family-centric festival in the area! Held during National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), join in the celebrations with live music, dance performances, diverse foods, and fun for the whole family! Come enjoy this premier annual tradition filled with cultural heritage and contributions of the Latin American community.


Opinion

To the Citizens of Manassas,

I am Colonel (r) Ulysses Xerxes “Xerk” White, United States Army. Many residents of Manassas know me from my years of military service, my time on City Council, my work on the VA Commission Transportation Board, my involvement with the Manassas Rotary, my time worshiping at First AME Church, and more importantly a devoted husband. My life has been shaped by service, and Manassas has been one of the places where I was blessed to continue that calling.


Weather

Light to moderate showers are moving through Northern Virginia and the broader Baltimore-Washington area early Sunday. Most places should dry out an hour or two after sunrise. A few extra showers are possible later this morning as a warm front crosses, but they should stay light and scattered.

Afternoon sunshine returns and temperatures climb well into the 80s. Humidity stays up with dew points near 70. A cold front arrives late Sunday night into Monday. Monday will feel cooler and less sticky, with highs in the mid-70s to low 80s and northwest winds gusting 20 to 25 mph at times. Monday night looks chilly, with lows in the upper 40s to 50s.


Breaking News

Editor’s note: This report started with a tip from a reader. If you see news break, email us immediately at [email protected] or text 571-989-1695.

UPDATE, ~4:20 p.m.: Prince William Fire and Rescue said it took 21 “outside gas leak” calls Saturday between 7:20 a.m. and 1:18 p.m. after residents reported a strong outdoor sulfur odor. Battalion Chief Brian Ferguson, the acting fire marshal, said crews detected a sulfur odor but four-gas meters read normal. Washington Gas was notified and reported no issues with its system. No source has been identified. No shelter-in-place order was issued. No protective action is required, fire officials said.


Police Blotter

Manassas City detectives obtained four rape charges against Donaldo Antonio Buezo Hernandez after a now-adult victim reported in April 2023 that a family member had sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions over several years, beginning when the victim was a juvenile, police said.

During that investigation, detectives identified a second juvenile victim who reported being sexually assaulted on multiple occasions by the same offender. Police said the suspect is a family member known to both victims. They did not name the victims or give a street address for where the assaults occurred.


Quantico

The Town of Quantico has lifted its boil-water advisory after the second required water sample came back clean and the Virginia Department of Health approved cancelling the order, according to a public notice from the town Friday.

The notice applies only to the Town of Quantico waterworks. It does not apply to the Marine Corps Base Quantico waterworks.


Prince William

Lanterns lined Freedom Park and the honor bell sat ready Thursday evening as Prince William County gathered at Sean T. Connaughton Plaza to mark 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001.

The ceremony was held the night before the national anniversary, beside the Liberty Memorial Fountain outside the McCoart Government Center in Woodbridge.