Author: Potomac Local News

Stafford

Stafford Bridge Project Starts June 4 on Rock Hill Church Road

By Potomac Local News

Stafford County drivers should plan for new routes next week. Route 644 (Rock Hill Church Road) will now close on Thursday, June 4, after weather postponed the original Monday, June 1 start date. The Virginia Department of Transportation is replacing the temporary single-lane bridge over Aquia Creek with a permanent two-lane structure.

The project replaces a 50-year-old bridge that has shown significant deterioration. A temporary bridge was installed in fall 2020 to keep the road open while the $6.4 million project was funded and designed. The new bridge will feature two 11-foot travel lanes, 6-foot paved shoulders, higher rails, and the ability to carry all legal vehicle loads. Rock Hill Church Road will stay closed to through traffic between Dunbar Drive and Van Horn Lane through June 2027.

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Prince William

Virginia American Water Worker Dies in Dale City Pond Fall

By Potomac Local News

“Virginia American Water is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” Virginia American Water insidenova.com reported. “We are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances. Our primary focus right now is supporting our employee’s family and our Virginia employees.”

A 35-year-old employee fell from a boat on May 19, around 11 a.m., in a service pond at the Virginia American Water facility in the 14400 block of Delaney Road in Dale City. He was hospitalized and died three days later on May 22. Prince William County police said no foul play is suspected and the incident appears accidental.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg School Board Travel Audit Delayed

By Potomac Local News

“The travel audit is still in process,” division superintendent Marci Catlett told the Advance. “During the course of our audit, we noted School Board travel expenditures which did not fall within the school division travel guidelines. We have been engaged to perform a detailed review of School Board travel.”

A special audit of Fredericksburg City Public Schools Board travel expenses, originally due by the end of December 2025, remains unfinished amid staffing changes in the Central Office. Emails and documents show the comment regarding travel in the general fiscal year 2025 audit was edited after pushback from a School Board member, with language about purchase card use and policy recommendations removed from the final management letter.

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter: Shooting, Assaults on Officers

By Potomac Local News
[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Other notable incidents include a vehicle pursuit in Fredericksburg, where the driver nearly struck officers and was charged with assault on law enforcement, along with fraud reports and an assault arrest in Stafford County.

This daily police blotter summarizes reports from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, Fredericksburg Police Department, and Prince William County Police.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Taxes Due June 5

By Potomac Local News
Fredericksburg City Hall [Photo: Fredericksburg Va. Government Facebook page]

“All citizens are encouraged to mail their payments as soon as possible or to schedule their payment online to avoid penalties due to mail service delays,” FXBGgov announced. “Payments for both are due June 5, 2026.”

Payments may be made in person at the Treasurer’s Office at 715 Princess Anne Street in Fredericksburg, online at fredericksburgva.gov, or by phone at 540-372-1001.

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Stafford

Third Bald Eagle Rescued in Stafford This Week

By Potomac Local News

“Seeing America’s national bird up close is always incredible, but these calls are also a reminder of how important it is for the community to report injured wildlife when they see it,” Stafford County Sheriff reported. “Blue Ridge Wildlife Center relies heavily on volunteers to help transport injured and orphaned wildlife to their hospital because staff cannot leave the facility for rescues.”

Animal Control responded to two more injured bald eagles on the same day — one with a wing injury on Richmond Highway and another with a leg injury in the Doral Court area — bringing the week’s total to three. Both birds were safely transported to Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Boyce, VA, for treatment.

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Politics

Vindman Clinches Democratic Nod in 7th District

By Potomac Local News
Vindman

“I am humbled to continue the fight to take on corruption, deliver real results, and make life more affordable for every Virginian,” CBS19 News reported. “I will continue to fight like hell for our military families, federal workers, and every working family in the District.”

Republican challengers in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District include John Gray and Philip Harding, both of Prince William County, along with Douglas Ollivant, and Waverly Washington. Tara Durant, who had been a frontrunner in the Republican primary, has dropped out. John Gray currently leads the field in fundraising among remaining candidates with over $228,000 in receipts, followed by Douglas Ollivant ($175,000).

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Traffic

Drivers Face Nightly Closures on 95 Express Lanes

By Potomac Local News

Repaving work on the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes began Tuesday night and will continue for about three months. Travelers should expect single- and double-lane closures from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by full closures starting at 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. The lanes are scheduled to reopen each morning in time for northbound rush hour. Officials are urging drivers to seek alternate routes during the overnight work.

The first phase affects the stretch from near Franconia Springfield Parkway to near Marine Corps Base Quantico. Traffic in the 95 and 395 Express Lanes will be diverted to the general-purpose lanes on I-95, and access points to the construction zone will be closed. The reversal schedule remains unchanged and will follow the summer pattern.

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Quantico

Quantico Wants More Stafford Water; Supervisors Question Reservoir Safety

By Potomac Local News

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors heard a proposal on May 26 for a new utility agreement with Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ) that would increase the base’s water allocation from the county’s system while renewing long-term access to shared infrastructure.

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Schools

George Mason University Names New Provost

By Potomac Local News

George Mason University has selected Marion Underwood as its next provost and executive vice president, effective July 27. Underwood comes to Mason from Colorado State University, where she most recently served as provost and executive vice president. She brings 35 years of academic leadership, research and student success experience.

President Gregory Washington said Underwood’s background at institutions similar to George Mason makes her a strong fit. At Colorado State, she created the Strategic Roadmap 2025, advanced student mental health initiatives, helped refine the budget model and hired multiple academic leaders. She previously served as dean at Purdue University and the University of Texas at Dallas.

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