In an exclusive interview with Will King, AI Strategist and founder of MF Growth, Potomac Local News uncovers the insights that will take center stage at Stafford County's Beer & Business event on February 7. The event promises a unique exploration of AI's integration into businesses, offering a blend of valuable information and networking opportunities.
King, drawing from his background in psychology and a Master's Degree in human factors, shared perspectives on the transformative power of AI in the workplace, and he emphasized its role in marketing. King underscored the challenges faced by small business owners who may lack professional copywriting skills, stating, "If you're a small business owner, the likelihood that you are a professional copywriter is just really low," said King.
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Punxsutawney Phil saw didn’t see his shadow yesterday, and apparently, so neither did his cousin in Virginia, Arthur, who is friendly with Fredericksburg police. Spring is on the way.
Hello and welcome to the Publisher’s Post for Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. I hope your weekend is off to a great start. It’ll be cold and sunny today. Water’s End Brewery has your weekend forecast and your first look at the start of next week.
Police in Prince William County are searching for a killer after a North Carolina woman was found shot to death inside her car early Friday morning. A dog also inside the car is OK and is now in the care of animal control.
The building where those animal control officers work, a $17 million animal shelter that opened less than a year and a half ago, is under scrutiny after social media outcry prompted county officials to address reports of HVAC issues at the facility.
- The anonymous poster said the ventilation system in the new animal shelter has not functioned properly since the shelter opened, and animals and staff have been suffering unnecessarily.
- The accusation prompted a letter from County Executive Christopher Shorter to elected officials. The county says it’s working on a fix.
A sweeping policy to give Stafford County a one-hour lunch at all county high schools break is under review following a lockdown at Brooke Point High School earlier this week. While the fights that prompted the lockdown and a big police response occurred during the morning hours, a school spokeswoman tells us “Power Hour” is under review.
- The school division stripped power-hour privileges from Colonial Forge High School students last year. Parents told Potomac Local students use the time to sneak into school bathrooms to vape.
Also, Stafford schools’ division plans to introduce a virtual learning option for sixth through twelfth-grade students starting next year. The initiative has sparked varied reactions from parents, some expressing frustration on social media.
- The virtual learning will be offered at no cost to students, and private or homeschooled students can also enroll in their zoned school to access this option.
Thanks to the excellent work of Manassas City and Prince William police, along with federal agents, who nabbed four people they say were aimed at distributing drugs. In all, 66,000 Fentanyl pills are off the streets.
The Stafford County Fire Marshal needs your help identifying who set fire to a work truck parked off Route 17 on Tuesday night.
Something appears to be happening at The Garrison at Stafford, the long-awaited mixed-use development on Garrisonville Road., which promised a mix of apartments, retail, and a 12-screen movie theater. Right now, it looks like the development might start with chicken tenders.
A new coffee shop and housing units are proposed for Woodbridge’s Featherstone Square shopping center on Route 1, one of the oldest in the area (who remembers when the Safeway was located here)? A public meeting is scheduled to talk about the changes. Today, Gabe’s and a McDonald’s call the center home.
And, because it seems we’re stuck on shopping centers today, we have to bring you this good news story Canterbury Village in Manassas, where shop owners have experienced a significant improvement in safety through a collaborative effort involving the Manassas City Police Department, private security firms, and local businesses. Kenny Loveless, the proprietor of Tangs Alterations, praised the proactive response.
Moving on to Local Spotlight member news now, don’t miss live music tonight at the Water’s End Brewery Lake Ridge Taproom (the one that started it all) from 6 to 9 p.m. with John Burton, a native Virginian and accomplished fingerstyle guitarist.
- After a night of fun at the brewery, head over to Dixie Bones BBQ in Woodbridge for an all-you-can-eat buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special price for kids.
Earlier this week, I promised you a big announcement about Local Spotlight, the affordable, local advertising solution that puts your business in the spotlight. I’m proud to announce we’ve added a full membership to the growing list of benefits for Local Spotlight members, giving them access to 100% of the local news and information on Potomac Local News.
- Purchasing a Local Spotlight membership is now just as simple a one-click process, the same as purchasing our Local’s Only membership. Let me know if you have questions, and let’s grow your business together.
I want to say thank you to our seven new Locals Only members who joined in January — the individuals who help support our reporting. Welcome, Katherine, Howard, Robyn, Kara, Matthew, and the Stafford County Economic Development Department — your Locals Only memberships go a long way to help us tell the stories of heroes in our communities.
Thanks for reading today. Enjoy your weekend.
The Stafford Best Buy originally opened in 2008, marking a milestone for the county. Residents had long desired additional retail options closer to home, reducing the necessity of traveling to neighboring areas. However, changing consumer habits driven by the prevalence of online shopping have contributed to the store’s closure.
The closure is seen as a setback for the county, where residents consistently desire more shopping and entertainment destinations. The news comes amidst ongoing anticipation for developments like The Garrison, a 57-acre property acquired by Reston-based developer Pence Group in 2015. The original plans for The Garrison included 500,000 square feet of commercial space, over 400 residential units, a 12-screen Regal Cinemas, new restaurants, and apartment homes.
However, ground has yet to be broken, and the original deadline of spring 2018 has passed. The county has been without a movie theater since crews demolished Regal Cinemas 10 at Aquia Town Center in 2016.
Simultaneously, commercial development is progressing at Embrey Mill on Courthouse Road, featuring a Publix grocery store, several fast-food restaurants, and locally-owned establishments such as Table 9 Kitchen, Crimson Coward, Manhattan Pizza, and Up North Cutz.
In a further sign of changing times, a new Wawa is under construction at Embrey Mill Town Center, and Texas retail giant Buc-ee’s has expressed interest in building a 74,000-square-foot convenience store with 120 gas pumps.
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On Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, Manassas City Economic Development Director Patrick Small I presented an overview of the city's economic indicators and development projects. The presentation covered various metrics, including population growth, median household incomes, housing values, and the labor force.
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The city’s Visitor’s Center and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism office are being relocated to modernize Fredericksburg's tourism industry and make destinations accessible to all.
The new office, at 601 Caroline Street, is across from the current center and one block south. It is a more modern building with more of the infrastructure the city departments need.
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Stafford Tourism has launched a new marketing campaign, one they hope will stick with visitors. The December Christmas Tree Lighting event marked the beginning of “Stick to Stafford.”
Stick to Stafford is a series of monthly sticker releases. Stickers are available at no cost at county tourism assets – businesses, parks, county buildings, and historical locations. A list of participating locations and released sticker designs can be found at sticktostafford.com. The county also uses social media to share releases and sneak peeks at new stickers.
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The Dumfries Town Council will begin updating the town's comprehensive plan.
The plan includes the vision and goals of the town for the next 20 years and a list of actions and policies to achieve those goals. Topics covered by the comprehensive plan include, but are not limited to, land use, economic growth, transportation, and community services.
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Stafford Economic Development: "Congratulations to 7-Eleven for the grand opening of their newest store in Stafford."
The new store sits at Route 1 and Hospital Center Boulevard, near Stafford Hospital.
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The once-standing Olde Town Inn is no more.
Located in the heart of Old Town Manassas, the Inn originally stood at 9403 Main Street, Manassas City Center. Sitting on a 1-acre lot, the Inn has been a part of Old Town since 1965.
![The current center is full of Fredericksburg maps, hats and sweatshirts. [Photo: Mike Salmon]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/fredericksburg-visitors-center-1-1260x739.jpg){kind=link}
![This building will get a lot more foot traffic after the move.[Photo: Mike Salmon]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fredericksburg-Visitors-Ctr2-1260x739.jpg){kind=link}