FIRST ON POTOMACLOCAL.COM
By URIAH KISER
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Business and political leaders will gather for the first time in Prince William County to discuss doing more work without workers needing to leave home.
Working remotely, or teleworking, is growing in popularity in Prince William – a place where more than 62 percent of residents travel outside the county to get to their jobs.
The number of people who telework has grown as new video conferencing technologies have developed and the number of communities with broadband internet service has grown. And in a region where the car is king, area leaders want to see more people get off clogged roads and work from home or telework centers.
“I commuted for eight years, from the Horner Road commuter lot in Woodbridge. I understand what all of this congestion is about and what we need to do to take cars off of the road,” said Delegate Richard Anderson (R-Prince William).
Anderson is a retired Air Force Colonel who carpooled to and from the Pentagon. Now he’s working with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s Telework Taskforce to host the area’s first Telework Summit to bring together industry and government leaders at the Chamber’s headquarters in Manassas to get companies, organizations, and elected leaders in Northern Virginia talking about instituting more teleworking policies and opportunities  for their employees.
“I’ve found that when the Chamber is involved in an initiative, there always seems to be more an incentive to bring more folks to the table,” added Anderson.
Challenges remain, however, as some bosses prefer to see employees seated in offices in lieu of working from home or from a telework center. The summit also comes more than a year after the federal government cut $3 million in funding for telework centers around Washington, D.C., including a center in Woodbridge, which subsidized the annual cost per user, about $10,000 each.
Cisco Systems is expected to be represented at the summit, and so is the Mason Enterprise Center at George Mason University.
Republican delegates Barbara Comstock (Fairfax, Loudoun) and David Ramadan (Loudoun, Prince William) have also been invited.
The summit will be open to the public from 9 to 11: 30 a.m. Monday, November 19 at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce Headquarters at 9720 Capital Court, Suite 203Â in Manassas.
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Fredericksburg Police have launched automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones at Hugh Mercer Elementary and James Monroe High School to curb speeding and improve safety. The move is part of a partnership formed in November 2024 between the Fredericksburg Police Department and the city, aiming to reduce speeding near schools and protect students, staff, and families.
To ease drivers into the new system, the city implemented a 30-day warning period following the installation of the cameras. During this period, violators received warnings instead of citations, a step the city said was designed to “educate drivers and encourage compliance with speed limits.”
Between December 12, 2024, and January 10, 2025, Fredericksburg Police issued 247 warnings for speeding violations. The highest recorded speed was 50 mph. At James Monroe High School, located on Washington Avenue, 66 warnings were given, 19 of which were for speeds at least 15 mph over the 15 mph school zone limit. The highest recorded speed at this location was 33 mph.
Cute and sweet Niffy has been at the shelter for four months, waiting patiently to find a family to call her own. This adorable girl is about four and has a gentle, loving nature. She gets along well with other dogs and loves going for long walks. Niffy is happiest when she’s curled up next to you for a cuddle session when she’s not out on an adventure.
Despite many visitors who promise to return for her, Niffy is still patiently waiting for the right family to take her home. This sweet girl deserves a loving home where she can feel safe, cherished, and adored.
If you’re interested in adopting Niffy, please don’t hesitate to ask for more information.
Looking for a fun and educational experience for kids? Check out Semillitas: Puerto Rican Bomba Kids. This event brings Puerto Rican bomba songs, dance, and music to Stafford every Sunday starting February 2, 2025, and running through June 1, 2025. Kids will enjoy learning rhythm, dance moves, and songs in an interactive environment.
The classes are designed for children up to 10, with a unique May 4 program featuring visiting artists from Puerto Rico!
Dates: Feb 2nd, Mar 2nd, Apr 6th, Jun 1st
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm
Location: Virtuous Dance Center, 31 Utah Place #101, Stafford.
Cost: $10 for the first child, $7 for additional children per class, $32 for all four classes for the first child, and $24 for each additional child.
It’s free to submit your events to Potomac Local! Simply visit this link: https://form.jotform.com/221630757468058. Just fill out the details, and we’ll feature your event!
Authorities have released additional details regarding the homicide of 61-year-old Charles Childress and 59-year-old Kimberly Newcomb, whose bodies were discovered on January 25, 2025, at a residence in the 10800 block of Heatherwood Drive.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the home after a concerned friend discovered a deceased female and called 911. Upon arrival, deputies found both victims dead at the scene. Investigators have now confirmed that both victims died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Following the autopsy, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as gunshot wounds. Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) continue their investigation and work around the clock to process evidence and interview potential witnesses. While the relationship between the victims remains under investigation, it has been confirmed that they were living together at the residence.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
