Potomac Local News is not just your go-to source for local news—it’s also the perfect platform to promote your community, nonprofit, or business events through our Events Calendar.

Whether you’re hosting a charity fundraiser, a local festival, an event for your church, or a business workshop, our calendar is here to help you reach a wider audience and make your event a success.

Free Event Promotion

For those looking for FREE promotion, our Community Events Calendar is the ideal space to showcase your upcoming events. You ensure your local community is informed and engaged by posting your event details at no charge. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg residents.

Premium Post Options

Want to take your event promotion to the next level? Potomac Local News offers Premium Post options starting at only $39. With a Premium Post, your event appears on our Events Calendar and enjoys additional exposure through various channels.

1. Homepage Feature: Premium posts get featured on our homepage, grabbing visitors’ attention when they land on Potomac Local News (1.5 million visitors annually).

2. Newsletter Inclusion: We include Premium Posts in our regular news emails, ensuring your event reaches our 15,000+ subscribers’ inboxes. This direct communication increases the likelihood of attendees.

3. Social Media Amplification: Premium posts are shared on our popular Facebook and Twitter accounts within a day or two of approval. Harness the power of social media to create buzz and attract a broader audience.

Why Choose Premium Posts?

Investing in a Premium Post is a strategic move for those who want that extra promotional push. The added visibility on our homepage, newsletters, and social media platforms can significantly enhance your event’s reach and impact.

How to Get Started

1. Submit Your Event: Head to our Community Events Calendar and submit the details of your event. Ensure all information is accurate and complete.

2. Choose Your Option: Decide whether you want to go for the free promotion or opt for a Premium Post. If you choose the latter, select the package that best suits your needs.

3. Enjoy Increased Visibility: Sit back and watch as your event gains traction in the community. Our platform is designed to maximize exposure, ensuring that your event stands out.

Potomac Local News is committed to supporting local initiatives, and our Events Calendar is the perfect avenue to promote your events effectively. Whether you’re looking for a free promotion or a premium package, use our platform to connect with the community and make your event unforgettable.

Submit your event today and let Potomac Local News help you shine in the local spotlight!

As we embrace the winter season and the snow-covered landscapes, I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to every one of you who has been an integral part of Potomac Local News.

Your continued support has driven our commitment to delivering timely, relevant, engaging news about Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.

We’ve got some great features coming up for you next week!

Exclusive Interview with Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis about the future of the city

Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis will give us insights into the vision and plans of the city of 43,000 people.

• The interview will take place as the City Council prepares for its retreat, where it will discuss broad policy issues.

Upcoming Town Hall Hosted by Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin

We’ll cover an upcoming town hall hosted by Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin.

• We expect crime and public safety to be a talked-about issue

Explore Fredericksburg’s New Visitors Center: A Glimpse Inside

Discover the charm of Fredericksburg with our exclusive coverage of the city’s new visitors center, as Mike Salmon reports.

Stafford County Schools Funding Debate: Ongoing Coverage

Our commitment to comprehensive coverage continues with a focus on the Stafford County schools funding debate.

• Caitlyn Meiser reports as the School Board and Board of Supervisors prepare for a joint meeting.

Support Local Journalism: Become a Member and Unlock Full Access

As we strive to deliver high-quality journalism, we invite you to consider becoming a member of Potomac Local News.

• By doing so, you support independent journalism and gain full access to all our content. Stay informed, engaged, and connected with your community.

Exclusive Benefits for Business and Non-Profit Owners: Local Spotlight Membership

For business and non-profit owners, we offer the Local Spotlight membership, providing additional benefits to elevate your presence in the community.

• Join us in fostering local connections and showcasing the contributions of our businesses and organizations.

Enjoy the Winter Wonderland!

Lastly, as we anticipate a snowy weekend, I encourage you to take a moment to enjoy the winter wonderland around us. Stay warm, stay safe, and cherish the season’s beauty.

• Thank you once again for your unwavering support. Potomac Local News is a community-driven platform, and your involvement makes a significant difference.

Warm regards,

Uriah Kiser
Publisher
Potomac Local News

Local Spotlight: Folks, I’m serious about Local Spotlight being the most effective, affordable advertising I’ve ever offered.

• And it’s a tremendous value for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Local Spotlight members receive:

• At least three ads on our potomaclocalnews.com website (new positions coming)
• Priority posting of announcements and events here in the Publisher’s Post (emailed directly to more than 15,500 opt-in recipients)
• We have 1.5 Million local, engaged readers — authentically local readers, unlike those “local” viewers the big social media companies told you reached during your last “targeted” campaign.
• Flexible payment options that include annual and bi-annual payments
• Plus: I’m so convinced that Local Spotlight members will get such great value that I’m willing to work with smaller businesses on monthly plans to earn your membership in the program.
• Sold $1,620 annually (SAVE 10%), $894 bi-annually, or $149 monthly.
• Contact me today to become a member.

Snow day: We’re expecting up to three inches of snow today, according to our forecast sponsored by Water’s End Brewery. Send us your snow pictures.

Events: Post your events to our local calendar FREE by clicking this link. We reach 1.5 million readers a year, so FREE ain’t bad for that amount of targeted reach.

MLK Day: Reporter Katherine Madere is covering the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Program & Youth Oratorical Competition, held this year at Colgan Senior High School near Woodbridge.

New Mexican-style: Amelia Breeden’s story about Anita’s New Mexican-style diner reopening near Manassas has drawn some debate on our Facebook page, proving once again that people on social media will argue over anything.

• “Oh man, this brings back wonderful memories from my childhood.”
• “So many great El Salvadoran places in Manassas. I was actually sad to see this.”

Huntley event confusion: Some on the FredNats Facebook page are confused about the event at the baseball stadium honoring Fredericksburg’s “Huntley,” who won season 24 of “The Voice” on NBC.

• “What fun? No food, no game, no concert? So everyone just stares at each other and worships Huntley?”

Trash talkin’: The Stafford County Sheriff took a swipe at Dallas Cowboys fans this morning after their 48-32 loss in the wildcard playoff game. Full story.

Supervisors: Prince William and Stafford counties Board of Supervisors meetings will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Our reporters will cover stories about adding classroom trailers to preserve historic sites.

Shootings: We’re following several breaking stories today, including two shootings, on our homepage.

Drop a line: Tell us how we’re doing and send news tips to [email protected].

Thanks for your continued support of local news in our communities.

Uriah Kiser
Publisher
Potomac Local News

Exploding meat: Today, we debuted a new ad format on Potomac Local News for Dixie Bones, and I couldn’t be more excited.

• It’s called the Likable Ad, and, just like a Facebook or Instagram post, you can like the ad and show some love to small businesses that support local news in our communities.
• The most remarkable thing about the new ad format is that it bursts with customizable images when you “like” it.
• In Dixie Bones’ case, it’s exploding meat. What else would it be?
• Please support Dixie Bones and the other small restaurants that are working to provide great food, service, and jobs to their employees.
• As we’ve reported, inflation and a new meals tax in Prince William County have taken their toll on small restaurant owners. So, when you eat out, support local.

An event for your Saturday: “ECPI University Open House; For adult learners looking to pursue their college and career goals in 2024, ECPI University is holding an Open House on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at our Northern Virginia campus at 10021 Balls Ford Rd #100, Manassas, VA 20109.”

• Please submit your events FREE to our calendar.

Wet weather: There’s more rain in our forecast, sponsored by Waters End Brewery.

Chicken head: Mike Salmon’s story about a man who found what appeared to be a chicken’s head in his dinner was the most-viewed story on our website this week.

• Check it out if you missed it.

Restaurant Week: It’s almost time to taste some of the restaurants you’ve been meaning to get to during Fredericksburg’s Winter Restaurant Week.

• Members can read all about it. Please become a member today — your contribution helps us pay our reporters.

What we’re working on: Our reporters always look out for you and the following big stories. Here’s what is coming to you in the next few days:

• Caitlyn Meisner looks at the first remarks from newly-elected Prince William Board County Supervisor Chair Deshundra Jefferson, who promises a new day on the body that governs Virginia’s second-largest jurisdiction.
• Charity McCoy will tell us about continuing preparations for a new passenger jet service at the Manassas Regional Airport. 
• Mike Salmon will show us how Fredericksburg works to build a better bicycle network.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for your continued support of local news in our communities.

Uriah Kiser
Publisher
Potomac Local News

Free water: I was out today with the emergency management folks distributing water to those living under a boil-water advisory east of Route 1 in North Stafford.

• Crews have given away more than 1,000 cases of water from the parking lot of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
• I’m expecting an update on the fix to the broken water pipe that prompted the situation soon.

New Local Spotlight member: I’m excited to welcome Peden Accounting Services in Manassas to the Local Spotlight team.

• Local Spotlight is big advertising for small budgets, including non-profits.

Events: I like to pull events posted to our Potomac Local News Events Calendar to feature in this post. So, if you’re not posting your events to our FREE calendar, how will I know to pull them?

• Event for your Thursday: “Drawing & Painting Series: Still Life: Join us at the library to enhance your artistic skills and create a beautiful still life! Manassas Park City Library 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, Virginia 20111.”

Ornamental: ICYM Mike Salmon’s story about Occoquan being this year’s Christmas Town, here you go.

• Please become a member to enjoy all of our local news.
• Your membership goes to pay our reporters, so thank you.

Poll: I posted a poll on the site yesterday following news some public school children in New York City were told to stay home so that illegal immigrants could shelter inside their school.

• I’m always seeking new poll questions, so feel free to leave some in the comments on this post on our website.

Kiser’s Cranium: It’s a random thought, as many are inside my head, but Pringles Suspicious Stew chips are addictive.

• They’re in a green-colored tin but don’t confuse them with the brand’s sour cream and onion flavor.
• These chips have a salt and pepper-like taste, with a few other flavors like onion and tomato mixed in.
• I tried them for the first time, and while they’re not the best-tasting Pringles, I’ve never sat down and eaten a can of chips in one setting until now.
• I still don’t know why.

Hey everyone, here is a quick update on some things we’re working on at potomaclocalnews.com.

We start with breaking news, as Stafford County has just issued a boil water advisory for residents in the northern part of the county.

Meanwhile, Mike Salmon is in Fredericksburg at this hour, photographing the flooding downtown.

• Salmon says the water has not affected any homes or businesses but notes, “Everyone and their grandmother are out here taking photos of the flood.”
• A city official tells us the water is now 18 feet deep, five feet above flood stage, and rising. High tide is about 5 p.m. today. City Dock remains inaccessible.
• We’ll post Salmon’s story on the site this afternoon.
• Sign up here to become a member and read all of our local news.

Meanwhile, we’re still taking submissions from small businesses for our Small Business Saturday updates that post on — you guessed it — Saturdays.

• It’s free to submit your notices.

Also, please submit your events to our FREE events calendar.

• I like highlighting events on our calendar in my Publisher’s Post, especially for Local Spotlight members.

Restaurant alert: The news isn’t all bad today because we’re working on a story from reporter Kevin Sandell about the Widewater Grill, a new dining option in Stafford County.

• Look for it on potomaclocalnews.com.

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday.

Welcome to the new Publisher’s Post, a feature new for 2024 that will allow me to connect directly with you, our members.

I’ll use this space to write directly to you, giving you insight into the stories of the day, the new stories our team is working on, local events pulled from our robust local events calendar, and information about how you can help us in our mission to cover our communities.

I’ll email this post directly to you on some days. That email will replace an email with members-only content I’ve been sending weekdays at 11 a.m. I’ll also continue to send our popular weekday email at about 4 p.m. with the day’s wrap-up of news posted to our website.

Restaurant Week: Just posted to our site is a story about Fredericksburg’s Winter Restaurant Week. Reporter Mike Salmon dives into the menus and speaks with the local restaurant owners who say this week is a needed boost in an otherwise slow time of year.

Power problems: As I reported yesterday, power outages in Manassas were up 20 percent in 2023 — an unusual statistic in a city known for generating reliable power for its residents. I’m working on a follow-up story from the city council meeting last night, Monday, January 8, 2024, where the city’s utilities director updated the city council.

Weather watch: A strong storm is moving into our area today, causing school schedule disruptions, heavy rain, and expected strong winds. We’ll post new storm-related information to our Weather Blog, sponsored by Water’s End Brewery.

Here’s one event for your rainy Tuesday at the Prince William County Public Library (you’ll want to check and see if they’re still holding the event before you go due to the weather): “Art Night – Very Sketchy Ink Blots: Play with inks and pen and paper to make lovely graphic drawings for cards, bookmarks, and more. Registration required.”

You may submit your events to our free events calendar.

Don’t miss our sticky story: Reporter Kelly Sienkowski looks at a new effort from the Stafford County Tourism Office folks to help glue some of the area’s most prominent landmarks into visitors’ minds.

Local Spotlight: If you are a small business or nonprofit organization, I’m excited to tell you that we’ve launched Local Spotlight, a responsive, affordable advertising solution to put your organization in front of our 1.5 million viewers a year in multiple places on our website. See my announcement about Local Spotlight from Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

Please become a member today: Go ahead and use that extra Christmas cash you have sitting around and become a Potomac Local News member today, and enjoy the benefits of reading 100% of the content on our website, including all of our original local news reporting. Your membership goes to pay our freelance reporters who cover public meetings, small businesses, and other local news.

Have a great day,

Uriah Kiser

We’re about to enter our 14th year of publishing local news for communities between Manassas and Fredericksburg.

As an entrepreneurial journalist who built Potomac Local from the ground up into one of our region’s most trusted news and community information sources, I’ve never stopped thinking about how to help small businesses grow their businesses and improve our communities.

In 2024, we’re launching the region’s best advertising and marketing membership solution, with multiple features and expansive reach, at a great annual price you can’t get anywhere else.

We call it Local Spotlight, and it’s got some fantastic benefits.

On our website

• Local Spotlight members will have at least three responsive ads across our website, potomaclocalnews.com.
• The responsive ads feature a photo, a company logo, a tagline to describe the business, and a click-through link to your website.

Get Social

We’ll share Local Spotlight members’ messages on our Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).

Out front in our newsletter 

• We’ll publish your messages in our Publisher Newsletter, “The Publisher’s Post,” sent to 15,000+ local opt-in subscribers.

It’s about Trust

• We’re extending the trust Potomac Local has built with its readers and our 500 members, who have an annual paid membership, to access 100% of our content to our Local Spotlight members.

Local Spotlight is live now on potomaclocalnews.com in the center and sidebar of the homepage. See examples here (Local Spotlight positions outlined in red).

It’s a breeze to set up your Local Spotlight

Using content from your existing website or social media takes only a minute to create a Local Spotlight ad to be seen year-round by more than 1.5 million website visitors.

Local Spotlight Pricing

• $1,788 for 12 months
• Non-profit Ad Match Grant $894 for 12 months with matching give from non-profit.
• Reach 1.5 MILLION annual readers
• Reach 15,000+ email newsletter subscribers
• 18,000+ Facebook followers
• 6,000 X (formerly Twitter) followers

JOIN TODAY, and let’s get started on this exciting journey of business growth!

I spent the first week of the New Year laying to rest my grandmother, who lived to be 87 years old. Joyce McNeal, of Bluefield, W.Va., passed just before Christmas, leaving behind a small family, including two grandsons who fondly remember summers in the West Virginia mountains and small-town hospitality.

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