Prince William County could soon see a significant shift in its meals tax policy, as several key members of the Board of County Supervisors support cutting the tax in half and eventually phasing it out.
Board Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson told Potomac Local News she supports reducing the county’s meals tax from 4% to 2% in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which takes effect July 1, 2025. Jefferson also wants the Board to consider a plan to phase out the tax entirely over the next few years.
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The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 on April 1, 2025, to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) for the construction of a solar energy facility on a 36-acre parcel located at the southeast corner of Enon Road and Truslow Road in the Hartwood District.
The applicant, Enon Road Solar Farm and its representatives from Energy Systems and Applications (ESA), sought approval for two items: the CUP to operate a solar facility in the A-1 Agricultural zoning district, and authorization for the county to enter a decommissioning agreement.
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According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, a resident of the Olde Greenwich Circle neighborhood witnessed part of the incident and intervened in self-defense. The man told investigators he heard what he described as “rapid gunfire” outside his home around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8. When he looked out, he saw two individuals with long guns firing in the parking lot.
The resident instructed a family member to call 911, then retrieved a weapon from his home. When he stepped outside, the suspects were still shooting. The resident fired his gun, striking one of the suspects.
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A small plane crashed Wednesday afternoon in a residential area of Spotsylvania County, marking the third major emergency response in the region this week.
Virginia State Police say the crash occurred around 3:08 p.m. in the 11000 block of Scarlett Oak Road, in the Chancellor area of the county, about six miles west of the Spotsylvania Towne Centre mall.
The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft, had departed from Leesburg and was en route to Hampton Roads when the pilot reported an oil pressure issue and attempted to make an emergency landing in a nearby field. The plane crashed near Chancellor Road, with the roof of the aircraft becoming lodged in a tree.
Two people were on board at the time. According to state police, both were taken to Mary Washington Hospital with minor injuries.
Images provided by Virginia State Police show the plane severely damaged in a wooded area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and will conduct a full investigation.
Friday’s crash follows a week of intense activity for first responders in Spotsylvania County. On Wednesday, a mass shooting tied to an illegal gun sale left three people dead and resulted in charges against four suspects. One day earlier, a child brought a loaded handgun into a third-grade classroom at Lee Hill Elementary School, prompting criminal charges against the child’s parents.
This is a developing story. Stay with Potomac Local News for updates.
The Town of Dumfries is considering forming its own Economic Development Authority (EDA), a move that town leaders say would give them more flexibility and control over how to attract, retain, and grow businesses within the town’s borders.
At its April 1, 2025 meeting, the Town Council received a detailed presentation outlining the authority and potential benefits of creating an EDA under the Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, passed by the state legislature in 1966. The act allows localities to establish Economic or Industrial Development Authorities (EDAs or IDAs) as separate legal entities to facilitate economic development.
The proposed EDA would have powers to acquire, lease, and sell property, issue tax-exempt revenue bonds for private or public development projects, and make business loans or grants. However, EDAs cannot tax or operate businesses themselves.
Dumfries already falls within the jurisdiction of the Prince William County Industrial Development Authority, which provides similar services across the county. The county’s IDA supports local business development by facilitating financing and development incentives for qualified projects. More information is available at pwcida.org.
Despite the existing county authority, Dumfries officials said a town-level EDA could act more nimbly and focus solely on the town’s priorities. The local EDA would serve as a strategic partner to the council, working closely with the business community to identify opportunities, administer local incentive programs, and assist in development planning.
Local Oversight, Independent Action
The proposed authority would be governed by a seven-member board of directors appointed by the Town Council. Directors must be Dumfries residents and would serve staggered terms ranging from one to four years initially, then four-year terms for subsequent appointments. Board members would not be paid a salary but could receive up to $200 per meeting and be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses.
The board would operate independently from the Town Council, similar to the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals. Council members would have no authority to direct or regulate board decisions once members are appointed.
Council members discussed transparency requirements, particularly around the board’s ability to sell property without a public hearing. Staff confirmed that while meetings would be public and minutes available, public hearings would not be required for decisions made by the EDA.
The Town Attorney and staff noted that this level of autonomy is granted under state law and is one of the primary benefits of forming a separate authority. They said the flexibility would allow the EDA to act quickly and creatively in support of economic development, particularly in areas where the Town Council itself may face legal constraints.
Funding Still Unclear
Council members also discussed how the EDA would be funded. By law, EDAs cannot impose taxes but can receive funds from property leases, asset sales, or dedicated portions of town revenue—such as a slice of the real estate or meals tax. They can also access grants from state or federal programs.
Vice Mayor Nickerson raised concerns about how the authority would be funded, particularly since the current fiscal year budget does not account for EDA startup costs. The town manager noted that establishing the authority would not require upfront capital unless the council chose to fund stipends or provide operational support. Over time, the EDA could generate revenue through economic activity or be funded through agreements approved by the council.
Council Member Russell Young asked about residency requirements and qualifications for board members. Staff confirmed that directors must live in Dumfries. While the state doesn’t require any particular experience, the draft ordinance gives preference to individuals with business, planning, or financial expertise.
Others emphasized the importance of moving forward strategically and with intention, pointing out that while the EDA would be independent, its success would depend on clear expectations and qualified leadership.
A public hearing on the creation of the EDA is expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the town staff will prepare a proposal outlining potential funding options and the structure of the authority for further council review.
A federal grand jury has indicted a Woodbridge man on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service and willfully failing to file tax returns over multiple years, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.
According to the indictment returned in Alexandria on April 8, Omini Tete Riman, an information technology specialist, is accused of filing false tax returns and later taking steps to hinder the IRS from collecting nearly $400,000 in refunds he allegedly obtained under false pretenses.
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Stafford County’s George L. Gordon, Jr. Government Center is set to undergo major renovations following a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The $1 million project will expand and modernize the building’s main lobby and make critical upgrades to the Board of Supervisors’ meeting chambers. The Board approved a work order with Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc. to carry out the renovations, which are expected to take about eight months and conclude by the end of the year.
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The Manassas City School Board has voted 5-2 against allowing collective bargaining for its employees, following a lengthy presentation and passionate discussion during its April 8, 2025, meeting. The decision came after board members weighed financial considerations and community feedback, including from Manassas City Councilwoman Sonia Vazquez Luna, a union leader who voiced her support for the proposal.
The vote on Resolution R2025-03 was preceded by an in-depth presentation from Associate Superintendent John Gefeller, who outlined the fiscal and operational implications of adopting collective bargaining. Gefeller explained that if approved, the school division would need to add six full-time positions, including a chief negotiating officer, chief legal officer, labor relations coordinator, labor specialist, budget analyst/payroll specialist, and administrative assistant.
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Three young men are dead, and four others — including three juveniles — now face charges following a violent shooting tied to an illegal gun sale and robbery in Spotsylvania County.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office announced today that investigators have charged four individuals with Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Unlawful Assembly. The suspects include two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old, and 18-year-old Jeremiah Upson, whose photo was released by the Sheriff’s Office. One of the 16-year-olds is currently being treated at a local hospital for a gunshot wound and will be taken into custody upon discharge.
According to Major Elizabeth Scott, two of the suspects are from Spotsylvania County, and the other two are residents of Caroline County. Three of the suspects are currently being held without bond.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, when deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Olde Greenwich Circle, just outside Fredericksburg. Upon arrival, law enforcement found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims were identified as:
- Chase Feaster, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- Alonzo Goffney, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- A 20-year-old male whose identity is being withheld pending confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office
- Three additional individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Investigators say the shooting stemmed from an illegal gun transaction that escalated into a robbery. “We commend our detectives on bringing this tragedy to a closure,” said Major Scott. She also thanked the Fredericksburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police for their assistance, along with community members who provided support during what she described as a “stressful and heartbreaking” time.
The incident prompted Fredericksburg City Public Schools to operate on a two-hour delay today, April 9, out of an abundance of caution.
The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward.
This is a developing story. Check back with Potomac Local News for updates.
