I’m excited to share that we’ve just published our sixth “Meet the Principal” post, and even more profiles are coming!

Our Manassas Local Editor, Caitlyn Meisner, is working diligently to spotlight nearly two dozen new principals who have just started their roles in Prince William County this year.

Additionally, Caitlyn has been hard at work posting the responses from the candidates for the Manassas City Council in our ongoing feature, the One-Question Candidate Survey. As voters look toward the future of their city, from taxes to schools, real estate development, and data centers, we’re committed to bringing you the answers that matter most.

Just to the south, Fredericksburg Local Editor Kelly Sienkowski works tirelessly to get answers from candidates running in the federal elections for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

We’re dedicated to connecting you to your community and ensuring you stay informed.

Three of the four candidates shared their thoughts in our second week of candidate survey responses. This feature series aims to help voters in the 7th District make an informed decision by providing insight into each candidate’s position on critical issues affecting our region.

• Explore our Meet the Principal Series to learn more about the individuals shaping education in our community.
• Check out our One-Question Candidate Survey to hear directly from the candidates for the Manassas City Council.
• See our 7th District Candidate Survey to hear from the candidates running for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

Your support helps us keep the community informed—please consider becoming a member today. Thank you for being part of Potomac Local News!

Dear Potomac Local News Readers,

We’re thrilled to roll out a new series titled “Meet the Principal,” crafted by our Manassas Local Editor, Caitlyn Meisner. This year, nearly two dozen new principals are stepping into their roles across Prince William County, shaping the future of our educational landscape. It’s a pivotal time to get acquainted with these educational leaders through our series.

Why Subscribe?

Our “Meet the Principal” series exemplifies the type of unique, local journalism we are committed to delivering—stories about the people and the decisions that directly impact you and your family. By subscribing, you help us continue this important work and gain complete access to all our content, including:

• In-depth reports on local government and school developments
• Updates and reviews about local restaurants and fun activities
• Profiles of community figures making a difference
• And much more!

Subscription Options:

• Locals Only Yearly Plan: For just $103 annually, unlock everything on our website and email newsletters. Enjoy content that delves deep into your community, supports local businesses, and helps you stay informed about what matters in Prince William County. Cancel anytime.
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In Today’s Feature: Meet Edward Schultz of Gainesville Middle School

Our first article features Edward Schultz, the new principal at Gainesville Middle School. With over two decades of experience in education, his story and vision for the future are not to be missed. Learn about his initiatives that aim to broaden student perspectives and prepare them for a successful future.

Don’t Miss Out:

Stay connected with every installment of this enlightening series—sign up for our FREE news email today. And please consider supporting our work by becoming a paid subscriber. Your contributions directly impact our ability to bring you exclusive, local reporting that makes a difference.

Questions, comments, or tips? Caitlyn is just an email away at [email protected].

Thank you for supporting local journalism. Together, let’s stay informed and engaged with the heart of our community.

Warm regards,

Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher, Potomac Local News

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Welcome to our latest recap of Potomac Local News. We’re excited to share some of the top stories that are gaining attention on our site. From political color controversies to rave reviews for a local BBQ joint, here’s what’s making headlines.

Political Color Controversy in Manassas:
One of the most talked-about stories involves a heated debate over campaign colors in the Manassas mayoral election. GOP candidate Xiao Yin “Tang” Byrom is challenging incumbent Michelle Davis Younger. A Facebook post showing Tang wearing pink and green, colors associated with Vice President Kamala Harris’s sorority, sparked criticism from the Manassas and Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee. This story has become our most-read article of the day, highlighting the unexpected turns in local politics.

Wild Wayland’s BBQ:
More delicious news: Wild Wayland’s BBQ in Stafford is receiving rave reviews for its generous portions and tasty offerings, from brisket to smoked turkey. Posted by our Fredericksburg Regional Editor, Kelly Sienkowski, this story has garnered over 100 likes and shares on Facebook. If you’ve visited Wild Wayland’s BBQ, we encourage you to share your experiences.

Animal Shelter Overcrowding:
We also reported on the overcrowding issues at regional animal shelters. Captain Bice from the Stafford Animal Shelter discussed the challenges they face, including the financial strain on pet owners, which leads to more surrenders. The shelter is urgently seeking volunteers and new homes for the animals.

We value our local businesses and communities. If you have a news story or see news happening, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or text us at 571-989-1695. Your contributions help us continue covering the news that matters to you.

Thank you for staying informed with Potomac Local News. We appreciate your support and look forward to bringing you more stories that impact our community.

Good morning, everyone!

It’s Monday, August 5, 2024, and I’m Uriah Kiser, the publisher of Potomac Local News. Thank you for joining us for a brief overview of what we’re working on today. It has been a busy 24 hours for us, with a significant story breaking, which I’ll get to shortly. But first, I have a couple of important announcements.

New Sponsor Announcement

I’m thrilled to announce a new sponsor for Potomac Local News. We sincerely appreciate the local businesses, especially the Mom and Pops, that support us because they are the backbone of our community. These businesses create jobs and strengthen our local economy; we are here to help them.

Our new sponsor, NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair, specializes in waterproofing and foundation repair. Based in Manassas, they serve a wide area, including Manassas Park, Prince William County, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Fairfax, Loudoun, and even parts of Maryland. They offer services from basement waterproofing to shoring up floors and fixing foundations. With rainy weather forecasted for this week and Tropical Storm Debbie approaching, now is the perfect time to consider getting a free inspection and estimate to ensure your home is ready.

Breaking News from Quantico

We broke another significant story regarding Quantico Marine Corps Base. Over the weekend, State Senator Tara Durant informed us that at least two other illegal immigrants intruded on the base on May 3rd, the same day two Jordanian nationals were arrested after posing as Amazon delivery employees and ramming their box truck into vehicle barriers.

These two men, identified as Hasan Y. Hamdan and Mohammad K. Dabous, were arrested, processed by ICE, and released on bond with a court hearing scheduled for September. Despite our repeated requests, Quantico officials have not provided any comments on these incidents. Governor Glenn Youngkin had also requested a briefing from the White House, but as far as we know, no further information has been provided.

We will continue to cover this developing story diligently, seeking answers and updates as Quantico plays a crucial role in our community, with 17,000 people coming in and out daily and major tenant commands on the base, including the FBI Academy.

Other Stories

Later today, look out for a story on why the Manassas Park Community Center will be closed next week for scheduled maintenance. Additionally, we have a feature on the Fredericksburg Food Co-op and the new benefits they are launching. If you haven’t checked out the co-op yet, it’s a fantastic place with a lot to offer.

Another significant piece we’re working on is about the Stafford County Animal Shelter, which is currently overwhelmed with animals. Many pets are being surrendered because their owners can no longer afford to care for them, a situation exacerbated by the pandemic. This is not just an issue in Stafford but is affecting shelters throughout our area. We will provide more details on how you can help these needy animals.

That’s it for today’s update. Have a great Monday, and we will talk with you soon.

Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News

Today, Facebook removed the latest in a series of posts from our Facebook page; this time, for the first time, oddly enough, it’s a post about Facebook removing our posts. The social media network has removed several posts, all links to our website, potomaclocal.com, primarily stories about crime and public safety.

We’re a small community news organization that has, for years, posted content outside of social networks to broaden our reach. Despite continued efforts to remove our content, we’ll keep posting on social media until we can no longer do so.

In the meantime, I cannot thank enough the 15,000 wonderfully intelligent people who have signed up to receive our FREE email newsletter daily and the thousands who check our website for daily updates.

We’re building a more secure connection between us and you, the people who have trusted us to bring you fair, accurate, and timely local news. Thank you.

Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News

Facebook removed another one of our crime news posts. The social media platform does not want you to have access to critical public safety information that will keep you and your family safe.

It’s the latest in a series of posts Facebook has removed from its site in recent weeks.

Get our FREE email newsletter and never miss a post. Thank you.

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• Local reaction to Biden dropping out
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From crime stories to weather, Facebook continues to remove our posts. The most recent removal was a severe thunderstorm warning I posted last night.

If you rely on Facebook for local news, including information you need to know about your community to keep your family safe, don’t. The social media network has been removing these types of posts, noting that they go against community standards.

Don’t miss a post. Leave a tab in your browser that is fixed to potomaclocal.com, and check back throughout the day for updates. You can also sign up for our FREE newsletter, which is sent to members and non-members each day we post news on our website.

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