Join

Christopher, Erica, and baby Kylah, Mary Washington Hospital [Photo: Mary Washington Hospital]
Mary Washington Hospital celebrated the arrival of the Fredericksburg region's first baby of the new year. Baby Kylah Ann, born at 1:55 a.m., weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Daughter to Erica and Christopher of Spotsylvania, Kylah was born five weeks early and received care in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Both mother and baby are doing well, the hospital reports.

Stafford Hospital also welcomed its first baby of the year, Miles Roy, born at 4:59 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 1.5 ounces. Miles’ parents, Jessica and Ken of Spotsylvania. He joins big brothers Garrett, 5, and Jackson, 2.

The hospital did not provide the last names of the parents.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

0 Comments

[Photo: Alan Gloss]
Prince William County Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred late on December 21 on Lake Jackson Drive near Blandsford Drive near Manassas.

A 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI traveling northbound veered off the roadway into a field, striking a utility pole. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn multiple times and catch fire. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed no other vehicles were involved, and speed was identified as a factor in the crash.

The driver’s identity is pending confirmation and notification of next-of-kin. Police urge anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact investigators.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

0 Comments

Farewell Mayor Rishell

In an era of rapid development and change, few leaders, like Mayor Janette Rishell of Manassas Park, leave a lasting impact. After 12 years of dedicated service—four on the City Council and eight as Mayor—Mayor Rishell is stepping down, leaving behind a transformed city with a brighter future.

On the latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, our founder, Uriah Kiser, sits down with Mayor Rishell for an insightful conversation about her journey, her achievements, and her vision for Manassas Park’s future.

Why Listen to This Episode?

1. A City Transformed
Mayor Rishell reflects on how Manassas Park emerged from financial challenges to become a vibrant community with a thriving community center and a new downtown development. Her leadership helped the city avoid state intervention for fiscal distress and achieve a strong credit rating.

2. Leadership Lessons
As a supporter of term limits, Mayor Rishell shares her thoughts on balanced governance, teamwork, and the importance of a shared vision in achieving success.

3. The Road Ahead
Learn about Mayor Rishell’s hopes for the city’s continued growth, from filling downtown storefronts to improving economic development and lowering taxes. She also shares heartfelt advice for residents to stay involved and support their community.

4. A Personal Touch
This episode offers a glimpse into the personal side of leadership. Mayor Rishell discusses her unique hobbies, including translating ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, and her plans to spend more time with family and pursue her passions in retirement.

Whether you’re a Manassas Park resident or someone interested in community growth and leadership, this podcast episode offers inspiration and insight into the dedication required to lead a city through challenging times.

Don’t miss this chance to hear from a leader who has guided her city with resilience and vision. Subscribe to the Potomac Local News Podcast today and join the conversation about shaping the future of our communities.

0 Comments

In our latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, we tackle the complex and controversial topic of data centers and their growing presence in our region. Joining the conversation are two experts with unique perspectives: Bill Wright, a data center activist from Prince William County, and Dr. Eric Bonds, a professor at the University of Mary Washington and a concerned Fredericksburg resident.

Fredericksburg City Council recently held a work session to discuss an ordinance that would allow data centers within the city limits for the first time, focusing on a 250-acre site at Celebrate Virginia South. The proposed timeline is ambitious, with plans to finalize the ordinance as early as February 2025. While data centers promise potential economic benefits, including increased tax revenue, concerns about their environmental and community impact have sparked significant debate.

In this episode, we explore:

  • Community Impacts: Dr. Bonds outlines how the proposed digital overlay zone would surround residential areas, including an apartment complex and retirement communities, raising questions about compatibility and quality of life.
  • Lessons Learned: Bill Wright shares insights from Prince William County, where data center developments have led to environmental challenges, lawsuits, and a lack of transparency.
  • Economic Realities: While data centers generate tax revenue, our guests discuss the hidden costs, including legal fees, infrastructure demands, and environmental compliance, which often go uncalculated.
  • Climate Considerations: Dr. Bonds raises concerns about the energy-intensive nature of data centers and how they conflict with local and state commitments to renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
  • Whether you’re a Fredericksburg resident, an environmental advocate, or simply curious about how data centers impact communities, this episode offers an in-depth look at these developments’ challenges and opportunities.
0 Comments

 

We’re back with another episode of the Potomac Local Podcast, where we connect our communities one story at a time. In this episode, Uriah Kiser, founder of Potomac Local News, sits down with Deshundra Jefferson, Chair At-large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, to discuss critical issues facing Prince William County.

Chair Jefferson made history on January 1, 2024, as the first Black person elected to this role. Her journey—from a single mother saving for homeownership to a community leader—informs her commitment to tackling the affordable housing crisis, workforce housing solutions, and planning for future infrastructure needs.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • The proposed Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit Ordinance and its impact on residents and local workers like teachers, police, and firefighters.
  • Balancing affordable housing with school capacity concerns and infrastructure development in growing areas like Brentsville.
  • The ongoing debate over the Bi-County Parkway extension to ease congestion on Route 28.
  • Chair Jefferson’s favorite local restaurants—from the western side of the county to the east.

Jefferson also shares her vision for ensuring Prince William County residents can live where they work. This focus prioritizes local families and community safety: “We have cost-burdened households spending more than 30% of their income on housing. We need solutions now, said Chair Deshundra Jefferson

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to the *Potomac Local Podcast. Please help us share these important local stories with more of our neighbors.

Become a Supporting Member
Love local news? For less than the cost of lunch, you can become a supporting member and get access to everything we publish. Your support helps us continue to deliver the news that matters most to you.

Have a news tip? Please email us at [email protected]. Uriah reads every email.

 

0 Comments

Shoplifting Arrests at Target

On December 9, at the Target on South Gateway Drive, First Sergeant D.F. Purcell intervened in an active shoplifting incident during an anti-shoplifting patrol. A man, Quinten Howard, 40, is charged with stealing nearly $190 worth of items and was discovered to have outstanding warrants for robbery, breaking and entering, possession of controlled substances, and trespassing. He was arrested and held without bond. Two female accomplices were issued summonses for shoplifting.

Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

0 Comments
Ă—

Subscribe to our mailing list