Dumfries Archives - Potomac Local News

Dryer Vent Fire Displaces 5 in Dumfries Home

Published November 18, 2025 at 1:59PM

A house fire in Dumfries on Saturday afternoon, November 16, 2025, forced five adults from their home after flames broke out on the backside of the residence in the 3000 block of Desert Palm Court. Fire crews arrived around 1:21 p.m. to find moderate fire damage. No one was hurt, but the house was declared unsafe to occupy.

Investigators say a buildup of lint in the dryer vent sparked the fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office is urging residents to have dryer vent lines professionally cleaned once a year to prevent similar hazards.

Prince William

Dumfries Planners Advance Small Area Plans, Prep for Route 1 Widening Update

By Potomac Local News

Published November 11, 2025 at 2:30PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

The Dumfries Planning Commission met on Monday, November 10, 2025, to review progress on several major town projects, including new small area plans, the upcoming widening of Route 1, and improvements to bike and pedestrian connections.

Commissioners praised town staff for moving quickly on planning goals. They encouraged residents to get involved—especially ahead of next month’s meeting, when VDOT and Prince William County will brief the town on the Route 1 project now expected to finish by 2031.

Prince William

Town of Dumfries to Host Business Expo at The Rose Gaming Resort

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 6, 2025 at 9:23AM

“Attend this event to learn how to create, maintain, and grow your existing or proposed business,” the Town of Dumfries announced. “Various business resources will be present to share valuable information.”

The Dumfries Business Expo will be held Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Rose Gaming Resort & Hotel, 17680 Colonial Street in Dumfries. Resources available include banking and finance, business insurance, accounting and tax consultation, merchant and payroll services, networking opportunities, and a business roundtable event. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required at this link.

Prince William

Weems–Botts Museum group urges Town to preserve $1-a-year lease agreement

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 30, 2025 at 1:30PM

The nonprofit that operates the Weems–Botts Museum and Merchant Park told the Dumfries Town Council it hopes to keep its $1-a-year lease intact through 2038, stressing that the agreement has allowed local volunteers to preserve one of Virginia’s most historic homes for five decades.

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Prince William

Dumfries, Historic Nonprofit Face Off Over Future of Weems-Botts House

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 28, 2025 at 1:30PM

The future of one of Virginia’s oldest buildings — and a cornerstone of Dumfries’ 275-year history — is at the center of a growing dispute between the Town of Dumfries and the nonprofit that has operated it for more than half a century.

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Prince William

Dumfries police: Casino traffic not fueling crime spike

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 27, 2025 at 1:00PM

Fears that the opening of The Rose gaming resort and new Route 1 traffic patterns would bring a wave of crime to Dumfries have not come true, the town’s police chief told the Town Council this week.

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Prince William

Prince William OKs 32 New Townhomes in September; Dumfries, Haymarket Lead

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 20, 2025 at 2:00PM

Prince William County approved 32 new townhouse permits in September, continuing a steady trend of residential growth led by Dumfries and Haymarket.

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Prince William

As Dumfries EDA Prepares for First Meeting, Transparency Questions Linger

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 14, 2025 at 2:00PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

Dumfries’ new Economic Development Authority (EDA) is poised to hold its first meeting this month, but questions about transparency, ethics, and process remain unresolved as the town’s latest redevelopment body gets underway.

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Prince William

Hashimi Family to Lead 2025 Dumfries Holiday Parade; Officer Honored for Breaking Barriers

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 13, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated October 13, 2025 at 2:54PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

The Dumfries Town Council celebrated hometown excellence this week, honoring a family whose roots run deep in the community and a police officer who’s breaking barriers in local law enforcement.

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Prince William

Parents renew calls to rezone Covington-Harper as overcrowding tops 130%

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 7, 2025 at 1:30PM

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Frustration over overcrowded classrooms at Covington-Harper Elementary School resurfaced this week as parents called on the Prince William County School Board to revisit rezoning plans that could ease conditions at the Dumfries-area school.

During the October 1 School Board meeting, a parent accused the board and Superintendent LaTanya McDade of “choosing personal opinions over students” by refusing to rezone Covington-Harper. The parent urged members to act or face a “vote of no confidence” from families concerned about student safety and learning conditions.