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Uber makes play for Woodbridge drivers

The car taxi service Uber is pushing further into the suburbs.

An Uber driver set up shop under a tent at a Silver Diner restaurant on Smoketown Road in Woodbridge on Tuesday to recruit new drivers. In exchange for signing up to drive for Uber, the company agreed to give new recruits a $50 gas card.

The taxi service relies on the Uber smartphone app that allows users to see which Uber drivers are close by, hail them for a ride, and then use the app to conduct a cashless transaction to pay their fare. The company charges about a dollar per mile, so a fare from Woodbridge to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station costs about $20.

Uber is popular in more urban areas such as Washington, D.C. and Arlington. The company wants more people in Woodbridge and other exurbs of Washington to drive for the service in hopes more customers will choose to use Uber.

The company actively recruits drivers by allowing them to drive on their own time, set their own hours, advertising the job as a great way to make extra income outside their regular job.

Cab companies have argued Uber drivers aren't regulated like their drivers, and that the company has an unfair advantage. New legislation signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe now requires Uber drivers, and drivers at its counterpart Lyft, to be at least 21 years old, undergo a background check, and have up to $1 million in insurance in order to drive.

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Join us on Friday, January 10, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m., with a special Ribbon Cutting at 2 p.m. Be inspired by keynote speaker Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation while enjoying a light reception featuring classic Fredericksburg favorites.

Location: 601 Caroline Street, 1st Floor, Fredericksburg
For event inquiries, contact: 540-372-1216 | [email protected]

Do you have an event you’d like to share with the community? Submitting your event to Potomac Local News is FREE and easy! Just fill out our form using this link: Submit Your Event.

Planet Fitness opened its first location in Stafford. The new 30,900-square-foot facility, located at 1455 Stafford Market Place in the Stafford Market Place shopping center, is designed to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment for individuals at all fitness levels.

The building used to house a Best Buy that announced its closure one year ago after 16 years in business. Our coverage of the closure was some of the most-read content on Potomac Local News in 2024.

The Stafford location features state-of-the-art equipment, including strength machines, free weights, a dedicated area for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and a functional training room with turf for agility exercises. Members can also access amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms with showers, a mobility and stretching space, and free WiFi.

A highlight of the facility is the Black Card Spa, available to those who pay for a higher membership tier. The spa includes Hydro Massage Loungers, massage chairs, recovery loungers, and salon-grade tanning beds, offering members an opportunity to relax and recover post-workout.

Called to Jail
A 44-year-old man found himself back at Rappahannock Regional Jail after making a false report and harassing a jail officer with obscene phone calls. Initially, deputies responded to a call about a death and gunshot outside the jail, which turned out to be false. The suspect, located at a local motel, was arrested and charged with using obscene language and filing a false report.

Assault
– Marion Manor Nursing Home: A staff member assaulted another during a disagreement. The suspect was charged with assault and battery and held without bond.
– Shasta Place: A male suspect bit the victim during a verbal altercation. He was charged with assault and battery but released on personal recognizance.

DUI
Deputies discovered a car in a ditch on Courthouse Road. The driver admitted to drinking beer, with three empty cans found in her vehicle. She was charged with DUI, drinking while driving, and refusal, and held on a $3,000 bond.

Hit and Run
A vehicle struck a VDOT sign and two unoccupied trucks at EZ Auto Sales before the driver fled. Deputies identified the suspect using evidence left in the vehicle, and warrants for hit and run and property destruction were issued.

Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:

Spotsylvania County Public Schools

Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.

Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
Essential personnel will report at specified times.
All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled.

King George County Public Schools

King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.

Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
Liberal leave will be in effect.

We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.

Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.

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