Potomac Local News

Published July 10, 2026 at 11:52AM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

This daily police blotter rounds up the latest reports from local and federal agencies serving the Northern Virginia area.

At approximately 7:37 p.m. on Thursday, troopers responded to reports of a wrong-way vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound Interstate 95 express lanes in Prince William County. The suspect vehicle was located on Interstate 395 in Fairfax County, where it struck the trooper’s vehicle and an unrelated vehicle. The driver was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation. The trooper was also hospitalized for examination.

Weather

Hot & Humid Friday with Afternoon Storm Chances Across NoVA and DC Area

By Potomac Local News

Published July 10, 2026 at 11:34AM

A hot and humid day continues across Northern Virginia, the District, and surrounding areas. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 92°F. Winds will be light and variable, becoming west around 5 mph this afternoon.

There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Stay alert for brief heavy downpours or gusty winds if storms develop.

Prince William

NOVA Life Wellness Center Opens in Gainesville with Ribbon Cutting Celebration

By Potomac Local News

Published July 10, 2026 at 9:39AM | Updated July 10, 2026 at 11:18AM

NOVA Life, a new wellness and recovery center offering science-backed, non-invasive therapies, celebrated its official opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in the Haymarket/Gainesville area of Prince William County.

Event

Cyd Rowley Open Studio Weekend

July 18, 2026 11:00 am -5:00 pm

Cyd Rowley Studio

10449 Metropolitan Ave

Kensington, Maryland 20895

Website Contact Social

Join me during this National Craft Open Studios weekend, a celebration of Amrican craft organized by the American Craft Council (ACC). Come visit my studio July 18-19th, 11am-5pm at 10449 Metropolitan Ave, Kensington, MD. Please drop in, see how my work is created, tour my studio and try your hand at hammering some metal.

Stafford

Historic Cemetery Prompts Deferral of Potomac Creek Campus Data Center Plans in Stafford

By Potomac Local News

Published July 9, 2026 at 3:00PM

A family cemetery on a site in central Stafford has halted progress on a data center development. On July 7, 2026, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 to defer rezoning and conditional use permit applications for the Potomac Creek Campus project pending an archaeological investigation and report.

The deferral includes a time extension to October 31. It followed public comments and board discussion on the need to address the cemetery before land disturbance.

Manassas Park

Signal Bay Waterpark Reopens Today After Quick Repairs in Manassas Park

By Potomac Local News

Published July 9, 2026 at 2:37PM

Good news for families: Signal Bay Waterpark reopened today, Thursday, July 9, 2026, after completing repairs faster than expected.

Update: “We love sharing good news! Good news! Repairs at the waterpark were completed faster than expected, and we’ll be open today at 11:30 am as scheduled. Thank you for your patience, and we’ll see you at the pool!” — Manassas Park Community Center / Signal Bay Waterpark announcement.

Weather

Flood Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Risk Expanded Westward for Northern Virginia

By Potomac Local News

Published July 9, 2026 at 2:07PM

The National Weather Service office in Baltimore/Washington has expanded a Flood Watch and Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms westward to cover additional portions of the Shenandoah Valley and the I-81 corridor.

A surface front and a strong shortwave moving from the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys will bring widespread thunderstorm activity to the region through Friday. Ample moisture from a tropical air mass, with precipitable water values of 2 to 2.25 inches, will support heavy rainfall.

Podcast

Data Centers Blocked in Prince William + Stafford Tax Warning

By Potomac Local News

Published July 9, 2026 at 1:33PM

Prince William County supervisors just delivered a major blow to another massive data center project. On July 7, 2026, the Board unanimously rejected the Dulles South Innovation Center in Gainesville — a proposed 43-million-square-foot industrial data center campus. This comes days after the long-fought Prince William Digital Gateway near the Manassas National Battlefield was also defeated.

In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, Uriah Kiser breaks down what these rejections mean for Northern Virginia residents facing skyrocketing utility costs, traffic, water usage, and loss of rural character. County staff cited infrastructure failures, environmental impacts, and incompatibility with agricultural and hamlet areas. Residents spoke out against noise, pollution, and data centers backing directly onto homes.

Prince William

Prince William Board Rejects Dulles South Data Center Proposal in Gainesville

By Potomac Local News

Published July 8, 2026 at 3:08PM

Following hours of public debate, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted on July 7, 2026, to deny a Comprehensive Plan Amendment that would have paved the way for the Dulles South Innovation Center (also referred to as Dulles Cloud South or Dulles Innovation South), a data center campus proposed for the Gainesville District.

The decision comes days after the death of the Prince William Digital Gateway project, halting another industrial push in western Prince William County amid concerns over infrastructure, character, and quality of life.

Stafford

Concerns Mount as Stafford Eyes Return of BPOL Business Tax

By Potomac Local News

Published July 8, 2026 at 3:00PM

During the Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 7, 2026, Supervisor Crystal Vanuch (Rock Hill District) expressed strong concerns about the potential reimplementation of a Business Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) tax, warning that it could harm local small businesses and urging residents to participate in an upcoming public hearing.

Vanuch, who reviewed discussions from a recent work session she could not attend, stated she was “appalled” that the tax appeared to be moving forward. She noted that Spotsylvania County is actively working to eliminate its similar BPOL tax. “The general consensus is that it’s gonna crush our business growth in Stafford County,” she said.