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What We’re Watching This Week: Bee Festival Returns, REAL ID Deadline Nears, and the Top 3 Stories on Potomac Local

Keep the Park Beautiful, an affiliate Keep American Beautiful, kicked off their 2025 community events by hosting the April 5, 2025, Polk Park Cleanup in Manassas Park.

Potomac Local Podcasts Drop All Week — Don’t Miss These Local Voices

We’re rolling out a full slate of Potomac Local News Podcast episodes this week. Each one dives deep into the history, people, and places shaping our region. Subscribe on YouTube so you’ll be the first to know when new episodes go live.

Here’s what’s coming:

  • Buckland Mill’s Past and Future: Rob Orrison shares how this forgotten 18th-century mill town in Prince William County is being preserved and reopened for the public.
  • Brentsville’s Oldest Home Gets New Life: Paige Gibbons-Backus walks us through the effort to restore the Williams-Dawe House, built in the 1820s.
  • Preserving Voices Before They’re Gone: Lauren Maloy explains the county’s oral history project and why your stories matter more than ever.

In Case You Missed It: Haymarket Police Chief Allen Sibert joined us to talk about the Senior Summit coming up April 24—an event to help protect older adults from scams and connect them with trusted local resources.

Catch up and subscribe here: Potomac Local News YouTube Channel

Habitat for Humanity: Home is the Key in April

With poverty affecting 4.9% of Prince William County residents and nearly 70,000 seniors in our region, Habitat for Humanity Prince William County is highlighting the urgent need for affordable housing and home repairs.

This month, they’re joining the national Home is the Key campaign:

  • Donate a “Key” at the Manassas ReStore
  • Support critical home repairs so residents can age in place
  • Learn more at habitatpwc.org

The Bees Are Back — Manassas Bee Festival Returns June 21

Celebrate five years of Manassas as a Bee City USA at the Manassas Bee Festival, Saturday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Liberia House and Grounds.

Highlights include:

  • Live beekeeping demonstrations
  • Art, crafts, wellness, and yoga
  • Spelling bee, live music, and food trucks
  • Brew, Mead, and Spirits Garden

Come dressed as a pollinator for the costume parade, bring your instrument to join the backyard jam session, and hop on a free tractor shuttle from downtown.

For sponsorships, vendor info, or to volunteer, visit ManassasBeeFestival.com

REAL ID Deadline is One Month Away

Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID or a passport to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities.

The Virginia DMV is expanding service to meet demand with:

  • Appointment-only REAL ID events
  • DMV Connect mobile teams
  • 76 service centers across the state

REAL ID costs $10 (plus license/ID fee). Start online to save time: dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/real-id

Polk Park Cleanup Launches 2025 Season

On April 5, Keep the Park Beautiful kicked off the year with a cleanup at Polk Park in Manassas Park.

In just two hours, nine volunteers, including members of the Manassas Park High School National Honor Society, collected more than 30 pounds of litter—everything from water bottles to construction debris.

Learn how to join the next cleanup: Keep the Park Beautiful – City of Manassas Park

What Readers Are Clicking on Most Right Now

Here are the top 3 stories on PotomacLocal.com over the past 24 hours:

  1. Gun Discharges in 3rd Grade Classroom at Lee Hill Elementary
    No injuries reported, but the incident has sparked concerns over school safety.
    Read more »
  2. Buc-ee’s Eyes Massive Travel Center in Stafford County
    120 pumps, major traffic concerns, and economic excitement.
    Read more »
  3. FredNats Championship Celebration Moving to Stadium
    A new venue announced for Fredericksburg’s big celebration.
    Read more »

Don’t Miss These Trending Stories Too:

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Recent Stories

From student art contests and sports comebacks to new educational partnerships and county developments, there’s a lot happening across our region this week. We’re tracking Fredericksburg’s latest CTE partnership, Stafford’s push for school improvement, a major land purchase in western Prince William, and a FredNats rally sparked by Salem’s errors. Plus, find out why the dog park in Manassas Park remains closed and how your child can submit artwork for Law Day.

The Manassas City School Board meeting on Tuesday, April 8, opened with a series of uplifting spotlights showcasing the accomplishments of students and staff across the school division. From regional…

Fredericksburg welcomed a new novelty to its downtown business scene last week: Novel, an independent bookstore and plant shop has opened its doors at 212 William Street. 

A new chapter is unfolding at the former Tin Cannon Brewery site in Gainesville, and it’s bringing a colorful mix of sustainability, community, and secondhand treasures.

Inspired by local physicians who were among the nation’s first to adopt the concierge medicine model, Northern Virginia is now a hub for its surging popularity. These leading physicians are redefining the patient experience with same-day appointments, direct availability, unhurried visits, and deeply personalized care:

After almost 40 years in practice, Manassas-based Internist John Cary, MD’s change to concierge medicine enabled focused attention for each individual, and the launch of his innovative diet program for those with type 2 diabetes. “The goal is to promote enough weight loss to reach an acceptable A1C of 6% with no medication,” he explains. “Achieving that can take several months of very close follow up. As I tell my patients, we are in this together.”

Jay Tyroler, MD considers his patients quite literally as family. “I believe there’s nothing more honorable than helping patients when they’re sick, or scared, or feeling vulnerable, and I care for them exactly as I would my loved ones.” Whether for a specialist referral, urgent health issue or ongoing follow up, “My patients know I’m always just a phone call away.”

Read More

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Your Weight Matters National Convention

Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.

This unique Convention truly has something

Cascade Landing Community Grand Opening

You’re invited to celebrate the Official Grand Opening of our newest community Cascade Landing in Dumfries, VA. Join us April 12th from 11 AM – 6 PM and fall for your new townhome!

Enjoy our grand opening celebration, complete with

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