Today, the Bull Run Rotary Club kicks off its 8th Annual Flags for Heroes ceremony, a moving tribute honoring veterans, active-duty service members, frontline workers, and local first responders. This event, hosted on the lawn of the Manassas Museum at 9101 Prince William Street, begins with an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m. and will remain on display until November 16.
Throughout the morning, Bull Run Rotary members and volunteers have been busy setting up the flag display and transforming the museum lawn with hundreds of American flags, each dedicated to a hero. Over the past eight years, the Flags for Heroes initiative has raised more than $35,000 through flag sponsorships, with proceeds benefiting the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. This organization provides a peaceful sanctuary for wounded veterans, helping them reconnect with family and find respite.
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Cox Farms, a staple of Fairfax County’s fall festivities, has sparked conversations once again – not for its famous pumpkin patch, but for the witty political messages it displays on its roadside marquee. The farm, known for taking a clear stance against President-Elect Donald Trump, has become a local landmark for seasonal fun and its outspoken signage.
The popular Centreville farm, which recently wrapped up its fall season on November 5, is seeking input from the community to help keep its marquee fresh with new anti-Trump messages. Known as a “Never Trump” farm, Cox Farms’ previous signs have included statements like, “OMG SO EMBARRASSING,” “EW CRINGE,” “WE NEVER LIKED HIM,” and “WE’RE NOT MAD, WE’RE DISAPPOINTED (AND AFRAID).”
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Update 11:45 a.m. — From Stafford fire and rescue’s Facebook page:
Due to dry conditions, low relative humidity and anticipated gusty winds, the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)has issued an Elevated Fire Danger across most of Northern and Central Virginia today. As a result, the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is implementing a ban on all outdoor burning for Friday, November 8th until 7AM Saturday, November 9th in Stafford County.
In addition to no open air burning, this is a friendly reminder to be extremely cautious when disposing of cigarette butts and matches and keep vehicles and equipment that could spark off of dry vegetation, like grass.
Original post — Good morning! Here’s a look at today’s weather forecast from the National Weather Service.
Yesterday’s cold front has moved down into the Carolinas, bringing cooler, drier air into our area. Early risers may have noticed some clouds, but they’ll clear out quickly, leaving us lots of sunshine and a breeze from the northwest. Temperatures will be mild, with highs reaching about 74°F. Gusty winds could pick up in the afternoon, especially in higher areas and north of US-50 and I-66, with gusts of 20-30 mph possible.
While it’s dry today, this windier weather is expected to continue into the evening, so take caution if you’re planning any outdoor fires, as conditions are primed for rapid spread.
Tonight, we’re looking at mostly clear skies, temperatures dropping to around 44°F, and a northwest breeze of 8-10 mph. Moving into Saturday, expect more sunshine but cooler temps, with a high near 59°F. Clouds will increase Saturday night as we head into Sunday, with the possibility of afternoon showers and temperatures near 60°F.
Enjoy the clear, crisp start to the weekend!
A proposal to grant Stafford County employees additional holiday time around Thanksgiving and Christmas led to a heated debate among members of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors at their recent meeting. The proposal, which would give employees an additional four hours off before each holiday — effectively turning them into full days off — failed in a 3-3 tie, with one board member absent. The issue is set to be revisited at the next board meeting.
Supporters of the proposal argue that granting these extra hours shows appreciation for county employees and would boost morale. "Our employees work incredibly hard throughout the year, and this is a small gesture of thanks that can go a long way in showing them we value their efforts," said Aquia Supervisor Monica Gary. "Taking care of our staff helps us retain talented people and makes Stafford County a more attractive place to work."
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We’re out here daily, covering the stories that matter to you and our region, including the recent election and its impact across Prince William County, Stafford, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg. It’s a fascinating time for local politics, and the election results show a shift in how our communities are engaging politically. Republicans made gains in areas that have been reliably Democratic, and there are implications as we head into a gubernatorial race next year.
In Prince William County, Kamala Harris lost nearly 7% of the votes Joe Biden won in 2020, which is a big deal in the state’s second-most-populated jurisdiction. In 2020, Biden won neighboring Stafford County by 2,600 votes, while Harris won in 2024 by just 275.
Understanding these changes isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about how these shifts will shape the future of our neighborhoods, schools, and local economies. We’re digging deep to ask what these results mean for our communities, what Democrats need to do to regain lost ground, and how Republicans plan to sustain momentum. These are stories you won’t find anywhere else, reported by people who know our area and care about its future.
This in-depth, ongoing political coverage is made possible through the support of readers like you. By upgrading to a paid membership, you’re investing in high-quality, local journalism that makes you smarter about the community where you live. We believe in asking the tough questions, covering the stories that impact your daily life, and giving you the insights you need to make informed decisions.
We need your support to continue this essential reporting. Upgrade today and become part of the story. Let’s continue building a community where everyone is informed and empowered.
Thank you for being a part of Potomac Local News.
Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher
Potomac Local News
Just days after securing another ninth term in Congress, Representative Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly revealed he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The diagnosis came as a surprise to Connolly, who noted he had experienced only mild, intermittent abdominal aches and pains with no major symptoms. He shared the news in a heartfelt message to constituents, explaining his treatment plan, which includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy, set to begin immediately.
Connolly, a Democrat representing Virginia's 11th Congressional District, won his November 5 election with a decisive 66.5% of the vote, totaling 250,962 ballots in his favor. His opponent, Republican Mike L. Van Meter, garnered 33.06% of the vote, with 124,780 votes. This victory marks another term for Connolly, who has been a prominent advocate for the people of Northern Virginia.
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One hot topic for discussion is the cell phone policy in schools—a decision that could shape students' school-day routines. Recently, the Virginia Department of Education suggested a strict “bell-to-bell” policy, which would prevent students from using phones entirely during the school day, including lunch and passing periods. However, Prince William County has a slightly different plan. Their proposed policy, if adopted, would allow high school students to use their phones during lunch and in hallways between classes, but keep devices out of sight and silent during class time. For younger students in elementary and middle school, phones would need to stay stashed away all day.
If this policy goes into effect on January 1, 2025, students who break the rule could face referrals and might even need to bring home a form for parents to sign. Tonight is the first time the public will get to hear details of this plan, and it’s sure to be a point of interest.
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There are plenty of events happening across the region for everyone to enjoy. Post your events FREE.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
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In Virginia’s highly contested 7th Congressional District race, Democratic candidate Eugene S. Vindman currently leads Republican Derrick M. Anderson by a narrow 12,750 votes, with Vindman tallying 152,136 votes to Anderson’s 139,386.
However, Anderson’s campaign has emphasized that the race remains undecided, with significant numbers of ballots still uncounted and Orange County’s Election Day results not yet published.
“Simply put, like so many other races across the country, this race remains too close to call,” Anderson stated. “And like many other races across the country, it has not been called by any major media outlet. The reality is that there are thousands of outstanding ballots to count. In fact, according to the VA Dept. of Elections, Orange County hasn’t published any Election Day votes.”
We told you last night that Vindman declared victory.Â
In Orange County, so far, Vindman captured 4,174 votes, or 42.74%, while Anderson received 5,569 votes, or 57.02%. Anderson’s campaign expects the final tally here could play a significant role in the district’s outcome. “Many of those ballots will be counted today,” Anderson added. “Our team is deploying out to canvasses across all 11 localities in VA07 to get an accurate read on all the votes outstanding.”
The breakdown of votes in other counties shows Prince William County delivered the highest number of votes to Vindman, with 74,834 compared to Anderson’s 38,512. In Culpeper County, however, Anderson claimed a substantial lead, capturing 17,335 votes to Vindman’s 10,349. Other counties, including Spotsylvania and Greene, followed similar trends, with Anderson leading in more rural areas while Vindman garnered stronger support in urban and suburban regions.
The campaign also noted that the Virginia Department of Elections has a Friday deadline for voters to cure ballots that were rejected for various reasons. “We will be working hard to ensure that every vote is counted,” Anderson said, urging voters whose ballots were initially rejected to take action before the deadline.
Anderson criticized a local media entity for what he described as “misinformation” after an incorrect race call led to confusion. “To be exceedingly clear: this media entity gave Virginia voters misinformation at a critical point during an election,” he said. “We ask that, given the amount of misinformation already going around today, any outlet with questions please reach out to us immediately.”
As final counts and cures continue, both campaigns remain vigilant, with Anderson’s team actively tracking remaining ballots across the district’s 11 localities to ensure every vote is accounted for.
More as we have it.
