By URIAH KISER
UPDATE — Power back on in portions of Occoquan. Mayor Earnie Porta updates us:Â
Power has been restored in Occoquan’s business district (i.e. north of Commerce Street). As of the time of this writing Dominion and their contractors are working on the power lines that pass adjacent to the Route 123 bridge, travel out of town, cross Route 123, and come back into town via Washington Street.
They have indicated that once repaired these lines should bring back online almost everyone else in Occoquan except those living on Poplar Lane.
The latter will be offline at least until tomorrow, as damage to two houses must first be addressed. Dominion and contractor crews are working throughout the evening.
ORIGINAL POST
OCCOQUAN, Va. — High tide tonight brought the Occoquan River over a portion of crumbled seawall and into the basement of a building and back a back alley.
Water rose from the river’s banks behind a set of shops at 309 Mill Street in Occoquan, Va. where the Occoquan River took a portion of seawall Monday night’s bashing from Superstorm Sandy.
Water seeped into the garage area underneath of an adjacent building. According to neighbors, the building’s owner had already moved what cars had been parked underneath to higher ground. All that was left behind was an unplugged generator, and a canoe that floated in and out of the garage.
The rest of the river quietly raged on about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday as high tide set in. The roar of water coming over a nearby dam upstream was the only sound that filling the darkness.
And it was dark, as power to the town and to the surrounding neighborhoods in Lake Ridge remained without electricity. The glow of Occoquan’s iconic sidewalk gaslights served as the only dim candles in the town.
Mayor Earnie Porta spent much of the day speaking with power crews from Dominion Virginia Power and told PotomacLocal.com power could be expected back on by 8 p.m. But when technicians made their initial repairs and threw the switch, nothing happened.
That’s usually a sign there is another, yet undiscovered problem with the power source, and that crews would remain working on restoring power.
More than just Occoquan, nearby portions Lake Ridge were also dark.
Police officers directed traffic at the intersection of Old Bridge and Minnieville roads while the traffic signal the neighborhood of homes and business on the westbound side of Old Bridge Road remained dark.
Those on the opposite side of the road, including the busy Tacketts Mill Shopping Center, were lit up and open for business.
Recent Stories
A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed a midair collision at around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. The incident occurred while the Bombardier CRJ700, operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, was on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident, with the NTSB leading the investigation. Emergency responders are actively on the scene.
In addition to the response from the airport authorities, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has issued the following statement. At 8:53 p.m., multiple calls were received regarding an aircraft crash above the Potomac River. DC Fire and EMS, MPD, and several partner agencies have launched a search and rescue operation in the river. There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.
Mike Berryman vividly recalls freezing nights in his prison cell, where the cold was so intense he could sometimes see his breath. On humid nights, he said, ice would form on the walls. By summer, the opposite was true — his cell became stifling, leaving him drenched in sweat, reports The Virginia Mercury.
Kings Dominion, the popular amusement park near Richmond, has announced that it will not be hosting its annual Winterfest event for 2025, despite earlier assurances to season pass holders. WinterFest, a festive holiday event that traditionally featured a dazzling light show, live performances, a petting zoo, and the opportunity to ride the park’s signature roller coasters, has been a seasonal favorite for years.
The cancellation, confirmed by WWBT-TV, comes after the event mysteriously did not appear on the park’s annual event schedule, which was released on Wednesday, January 29. Initially, Kings Dominion promised that admission to WinterFest would be included with the purchase of a 2025 season pass. The sudden absence of the event raised concerns among fans, prompting the park to address the matter publicly.
The ongoing debate over the construction of data centers in Fredericksburg took center stage during the City Council meeting on January 28, 2025, with residents and council members expressing mounting concerns about the potential environmental consequences and the lack of transparency in the approval process.
At the heart of the controversy is the city’s aggressive timeline for approving zoning changes and facilitating the development of new data centers. Local residents have voiced their concerns about the environmental impact of such large-scale projects, particularly in areas close to residential neighborhoods and natural resources like the Rappahannock River. While proponents argue that data centers could bring significant economic benefits, critics worry that the city is rushing to approve projects without fully understanding or addressing the long-term consequences.
Hamilton Palmer, a Fredericksburg resident, raised alarms about the transparency of the decision-making process. At the meeting, Palmer expressed frustration over the council’s handling of the issue, particularly regarding releasing information about the proposed data centers. “There has been little effort by the city to engage the public on data centers until this past year,” Palmer said, emphasizing that many residents are still unclear about the full scope of the projects and their potential impact on the community.
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.
