WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Matt Ledman spends more time with his family now that he’s not spending three hours a day commuting to and from work.
A mechanic who specializes in Mercedes Benz automobiles, Ledman traded working in Tysons Corner for a job at Steve’s Auto Repair in Woodbridge. He’s found a way to continue to make competitive “Northern Virginia wages” and work close to home.
“I’m about 15 minutes from here, and I can go home for lunch if I wanted to,” said Ledman.
Of the nine employees at Steve’s Auto, seven of them live in Prince William County. Living close by allows the mechanics to focus more on the job and less on the stress of their commutes.
Another employee who traded in his commute for a job at the shop said people here are just plain nicer.
“I got so tired of the people on the roads without common courtesy or respect for other drivers,” said mechanic Eran Mehler, of Lake Ridge, who used to work in Arlington.
Before ST Billingsley purchased Steve’s Auto Repair seven years ago he used to leave his house at 5:05 a.m. weekdays for work in Tysons Corner. After taking over the Woodbridge business he worked to hire a team of qualified mechanics, and quickly learned that if they lived nearby it was a huge bonus.
“The one thing we don’t we don’t complain about here is traffic,” said Billingsley. “Having one thing off our plate has made it a better work environment.”
But Billingsley’s local employees are the exception to the rule. According to 2010 U.S. Census data, 62 percent of workers must leave Prince William to find work. What’s more, 14 percent must leave the state for work.
And, with an average one-way commute time of 38 minutes, residents who leave Prince William share the 12th longest average commute in the nation.
But those commuters who clog interstate highways, pack commuter buses and trains, and are the impetus for more toll lanes in the region, are a necessary evil. Prince William’s largest employers are retailers like Walmart and Target, a day care provider, and Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. That’s not enough to employ a large percentage of workers in a bedroom community of 400,000 mostly made up of government workers.
Even Prince William Board Chairman Corey Stewart, At-large said more government contractors near Quantico are choosing to do business in neighboring Stafford County, skipping Prince William altogether.
Billingsley doesn’t know for sure how many other area businesses enjoy the luxury of having so many employees live close by, but he says hiring local benefits everyone.
“It’s for the economy of Woodbridge: we live here, we work here, obviously we pay taxes here, we buy food here, and with everything so close by it makes everything more enjoyable to work here,” said Billingsley.
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Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
The preliminary hearing for Tryevon Davis, one of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Jason Thomas Blake in Dumfries, has been delayed due to the pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s report. This critical evidence is being handled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Northern District office.
Davis, along with Jerrome Thomas Barnes, 40, and Jackson Arthur Crisler, 30, face charges stemming from a fatal shooting on October 25, 2024. Police said Blake had gone to a residence on Cherry Hill Road in Dumfries to sell a firearm and purchase narcotics. An altercation ensued, leading to Blake being handcuffed, abducted, and taken to a secluded area along Triangle Street, where he was fatally shot. His body was discovered two days later in the backseat of his car.
The Prince William County Police Department charged Davis, 31, of Dumfries, with accessory before the fact in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and abduction. Barnes and Crisler face additional charges, including murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All three suspects remain in custody without bond.
The Fourth Wish Foundation will hold a special white belt graduation ceremony on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Underground Krav Maga and Fitness in Gainesville.
The event celebrates the achievements of 54 children who have completed three months of Krav Maga training as part of the foundation’s “Healthy Kid Initiative,” a program launched in 2024 to provide extracurricular opportunities to children from financially challenged families.
“We want to ensure these children can continue with this worthy program that has already made such a positive impact on their lives,” said Sue Khalatbari, Director of The Fourth Wish Foundation. The foundation is seeking donations to sustain and expand the initiative, helping more children gain confidence, physical fitness, and critical life skills.
A debate over proposed legislation targeting panhandling in road medians sparked a spirited discussion among Stafford County Supervisors during their January 21 meeting. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County), seeks to impose fines on motorists and pedestrians who exchange items in roadway medians to improve safety and reduce traffic disruptions.
The legislation was also a topic of discussion on the Potomac Local News Podcast, where Milde elaborated on his rationale behind the bill in an interview with Publisher Uriah Kiser.
During the podcast, Milde emphasized the safety and traffic issues posed by panhandling in medians.
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.
