As 2024 comes to a close, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you, our loyal members. Your support empowers us to continue telling the stories that matter most to our communities. Our mission to provide trustworthy, impactful journalism wouldn’t be possible without you.
I also want to take a moment to thank our dedicated contributing editors and reporters. Their tireless work ensures we cover the stories that shape our neighborhoods and impact our daily lives. Some of their incredible efforts are highlighted in our list of 2024’s most-read stories.
To my surprise, every single one of this year’s most-read stories comes from Stafford County. This signals something exciting: Stafford County is a fast-growing area and a community eager for reliable news and information. In response, we will continue to focus on Stafford County while maintaining strong coverage across Prince William County and the cities of Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Manassas Park.
The 2024 election underscored a critical truth—people are turning to trusted sources for news across multiple platforms. With that in mind, we’re excited to expand our video podcast, or “Vodcast,” and bring more social media content, including our new TikTok platform, which I’m launching. Stay tuned for updates as we bring you fresh ways to engage with the stories that matter most to you.
Looking ahead, 2025 marks an incredible milestone: our 15th year of publishing. We’re thrilled about what tomorrow will bring and are honored to have you on this journey.
Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to another year of impactful journalism.
Happy New Year,
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher, Potomac Local News
At Potomac Local News, we’re working around the clock to bring you the stories that matter most to your community. From Dale City and Fredericksburg to Stafford and Manassas, our dedicated team keeps you informed, engaged, and connected to your hometown.
We invite you to become a member and support our local journalism. Your membership helps us dig deeper, ask tough questions, and shine a light on the issues that impact your life.
Here’s a glimpse at some of our recent coverage:
Stafford
- Holiday Gift Guide Spotlight: As part of our holiday gift-giving series, we’re highlighting local businesses and their unique offerings.
- Olde Virginia Gourmet: Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this Stafford staple specializes in Virginia-made products, from wines and beers to gourmet treats. Owners Sean and Annabelle Tarallo offer customizable gift baskets perfect for the holiday season.
Fredericksburg
- Celebrating History: The Fredericksburg City Council is planning a three-year commemoration leading to the city’s 300th anniversary in 2028. These celebrations will honor the area’s rich Revolutionary War heritage and community spirit.
Dale City
- A Lifesaving Addition: Governor Glenn Youngkin inaugurated Dale City’s second Red Cross Blood Donation Center. This facility is a vital resource for local cancer patients and others in need of blood and platelet donations.
Manassas
- Podcast Spotlight: In our latest podcast episode, Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis discusses the North Star Branding Study, balancing historic preservation with economic growth and her vision for a thriving community.
Manassas Park
- Downtown Revitalization Gains Momentum: Manassas Park’s downtown redevelopment is progressing with the addition of a luxury eight-screen B&B Theatres cinema, complete with a restaurant and entertainment amenities.
- This project anchors the city’s revitalization efforts, replacing the previously planned Cinema Café, which withdrew in 2022 due to inflation concerns.
These are just a few examples of how your support empowers us to deliver the news you rely on.
Become a member today and join a community that values quality journalism. Together, we can continue to tell the stories shaping our region and future.
Click Here to Support Local Journalism
Thank you for making Potomac Local News part of your day.
Sincerely,
Uriah Kiser
Publisher
Potomac Local News
Thank you to our newest members, Dr. Jack, Gina, and Bethany, who became members over Thanksgiving weekend and took advantage of our discounted annual membership special offered as a Black Friday special.
We could use your support to bring you crucial local news about our communities.
Please become a member today, and thank you.
The latest: We’re working on bringing you more details on a person who was struck by a train at the Fredericksburg station.
Kick Off December with Holiday Cheer: December is here, and the holiday spirit is in full swing. Start the month with these exciting local events happening on December 1, 2024.
Winter Reading Kick-Off
Prince William Ice Center
5180 Dale Blvd, Woodbridge, VA 22193
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Dive into winter reading with fun activities for the whole family. Grab your library card and get ready to enjoy a frosty afternoon at the rink.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Grammy-winning Chanticleer ensemble. This breathtaking performance will feature classic carols and timeless Christmas melodies.
Heritage Brewing Company Winter Market
Heritage Brewing Co.
9436 Center Point Lane, Manassas, VA
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Browse over 20 local vendors offering handcrafted gifts and enjoy festive treats like mulled wine, hot chocolate, and Duck Donuts. Don’t forget to sip on your favorite Heritage beer while soaking in the holiday cheer.
The Kitchen of Don Alfredo Food Truck
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm
15850 Sunshine Ridge Ln, Gainesville, VA
7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Start your day with a delicious breakfast or brunch from The Kitchen of Don Alfredo. Enjoy the stunning vineyard views while indulging in comforting dishes.
Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy the whimsical sights and delicious smells of gingerbread creations at the 38th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit. This year’s theme is Holidays: Past, Present, and Future. Categories include children, families, and professionals. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 17. Children under 5 are free.
Black Friday Membership:Â Many of you asked about a Black Friday deal, and here we go:Â SAVE 50% on Local’s Only Membership. For one year, you’ll get access to everything we post at half the cost. Click here, and THANK YOU for your support. *Offer ends tonight.
Thanks for reading via email (please subscribe for FREE if you have not already done so). It’s the simplest way to receive our news and ensures social media algorithms won’t prevent you from seeing our local news.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Eve. If you’re one of the 44 million travelers hitting the road for Thanksgiving, VDOT has a tool that shows you when to expect the biggest delays.
Small Business Spotlight: We’ve started receiving responses to our survey of small businesses in the area. We’ll use the responses to create news stories about small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our local economy.
Look for them to appear soon. It’s free to participate and to be featured.
Stay safe, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Aya and Jazbia, our student interns from Stafford and Prince William county schools, respectively, have been hard at work keeping you updated this weekend with the latest news and events. I hope you’re having a great weekend.
Upcoming weekend events: See our list and post yours to our community calendar so that we may share it with our readers!
Santa arrives: Join us for fun and games at Potomac Mills mall tomorrow at 2 p.m., when Santa will arrive. I’ll be there to capture photos. Please say hello!
Interview with the mayor: Fresh off her re-election to a second term, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger has agreed to her first-ever interview with Potomac Local News. I’ll sit down with her at city hall next month. In the meantime, let me know what you think I should ask her.
Meet the Principal Series Continues: Manassas Local Editor Caitlyn Meisner launched this series at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year to introduce nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County Schools. Now, we’re shifting focus to highlight the new and existing principals in Manassas City Public Schools. Each principal has answered the same questions (in bold), and their responses will be shared below. Stay tuned as we continue to profile the educational leaders shaping our community’s schools.
Choir Call Answered: We called for Christmas choir performances, and you delivered! The Gainesville Community Choir (GCC) submitted a video and press release about their upcoming shows. Keep those choir videos coming—I’m excited to feature them during the holiday season!
The Gainesville Community Choir will perform a winter collaborative concert titled *“From Darkness to Light.” The program includes Dan Forrest’s LUX: The Dawn from On High and other seasonal selections performed with the Fairfax Choral Society. Catch these performances:
- Friday, December 6 at Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas
- Saturday, December 7 at Annandale United Methodist Church
Stafford Schools Go Silent: We recently reported on Stafford County Public Schools hiring a new superintendent. Interestingly, no press release about the hiring was sent to us, though it was shared with other news organizations. We obtained the press release after filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
This follows an incident where the district’s public information officer asked us to leave the premises after we questioned the school board chair about the ongoing bus crisis. Since then, communication from Stafford Schools has been sparse.
According to the PIO, we’re “not supposed to be asking questions of school board members.” While disappointing, this lack of transparency won’t deter us from bringing you the important stories affecting our community.
