It’s time for our annual look back at the 10 most-read stories on PotomacLocalNews.com.
This year, we’ve got everything from The Washington Redskins, er, The Washington Football Team, multiple stories about the town of Dumfries’ conversion of a pass-through place to a gaming destination, and a tale of a woman who sued the DMV over what she called a misleading letter.
From my point of view, the list is impressive, covering a diverse number of topics that affected our region this year.
The most-read list contained mostly stories and shootings and car crash in years past. While we’ve seen our fair share of those in 2021, unfortunately. However, this year’s list shows us that you value the critical community reporting are at PLN.
I wish you and your family all the best in 2022. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and productive New Year.
Here are the 10 most-read stories on PotomacLocalNews.com in 2021:
10. Manassas leaders say no to U.S. flags on utility poles, kill pilot program — February 20, 2021
9. Prince William woman sues DMV, wants the agency to send ‘better letters’ — January 1, 2021
8. Area residents hit big in Virginia Lottery — April 29, 2021
7. New fines for expired license plates to be imposed Tuesday — September 8, 2021
6. Exclusive: 2 Prince William sites considered for new Washington Football stadium — December 23, 2021
5. Five to 8 inches of snow possible Wednesday into Thursday — February 9, 2021
4. Hot Chikn Kitchn comes to Woodbridge, serves up ‘unity through food’ — January 3, 2021
3. Northern Virginia’s first gaming parlor to open in Dumfries with 95 games — January 5, 2021
2. Resort casino proposed to open in Dumfries in January 2023 — February 15, 2021
1. Police tried to stop vehicle before triple fatal crash on I-95 — March 18, 2021
Dangerous streets: Prince William County’s traffic, pedestrian fatalities reach their highest levels in a decade [Prince William Times]
More money: Virginia minimum wage will increase to $11 in January [The Center Square]
With feeling: With Prince William County schools focused more sharply on social-emotional wellness after a year of mostly virtual learning, more and more schools are hoping that data can lead to effective counseling. [Insidenova.com]
The Prince William County Landfill will cut its operating hours next month.
Due to a shortage of truck drivers, the landfill will be closed Sundays beginning January 9 until further notice. The change will affect the dump at 14811 Dumfries Road and a composting facility at 13000 Balls Ford Road near Gainesville.
The new operating hours for both facilities will be Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A county press release states escalating coronavirus concerns as one of the reasons for the change. Moreover, the county is short of two of its 10 truck drivers who operate the roll-off trucks, taking waste from the residential disposal area to the landfill area of the dump.
The county is recruiting new drivers, but it’s easier said than done. “I think it’s just a lack of qualified individuals who are doing this work,” said Prince William County Director of Public Works Thomas Smith when asked about the challenges he faces hiring new drivers.
According to a job posting, the starting pay for the position is $22 an hour, and drivers will work shifts spanning seven days. Applicants should have a commercial driver’s license.
The county faces stiff competition from the construction industry, having better luck at attracting drivers, said Smith.
The landfill will resume seven-day a week hours when winter breaks. “…I think we’ll be able to recruit people by the spring,” added Smith.
Officials will wait until January 9 to implement the new operating hours, which Smith considers the end of the landfill’s holiday season. The county encourages residents to bring Christmas Trees to the dump or composting facility to mulch.
Get printed: Prince William County residents can now schedule appointments for fingerprinting services through the Police Department’s website. [Prince William County Police Department]
Short handed: The Prince William County Landfill and the Balls Ford Road Compost Facility will be closed on Sundays, beginning January 9, after the holiday season, until further notice. [Prince William County Government]
Optimism: A report from a small business association showed businesses are slightly more optimistic than they were a few months ago, but many still have concerns about the future and some Virginia industries have economic concerns. [The Center Square]
The preceding post is a round of stories posted to local and state news websites and press releases emailed to us. Please email your news for inclusion in this post.
$440 million: Prince William County is asking for over $440 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for eight road projects in the latest update to the authority’s six-year funding program. [Insidenova.com]
12-hour delay: In a rough start to the Christmas holiday for some Amtrak passengers, a train from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida was delayed for nearly 12 hours Thursday — affecting more than 350 people. [WTOP-FM]
Lighting up the town: Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Occoquan Lights event. [Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta]
Road work: There will be some lane closures in our area this week as we inch closer to the New Year. [Virignia Department of Transportation]
The preceding post is a round of stories posted to local and state news websites and press releases emailed to us. Please email your news for inclusion in this post.
Washington Football Team News — Member Exclusive: Today at 9 a.m., head to PotomacLocalNews.com, where we’ll reveal two sites in our area under consideration for a new team stadium.
- Not a member?
- Click here, sign up now and SAVE before the end of the year!
Bag for good: For the month of January, Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Porter Branch in North Stafford will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of a $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Giant Food located on 317 Worth Avenue. [Central Rappahannock Regional Library]
Light your vote: Voting in the inaugural year of Occoquan Lights ends today. Inspired by the popular Lewes Lights program of Lewes, Delaware, Occoquan Lights encourages homes and businesses in the Town of Occoquan to decorate the exteriors of their buildings for the winter holiday season. [Occoqaun Mayor Earnie Porta]
Statewide labor shortage ahead?: A U.S. court of appeals ruling that will allow the federal government to impose a vaccine mandate on businesses could hurt the supply chain and amplify the labor shortage in Virginia and nationwide, according to a business group fighting against the rule. [The Center Square]
The preceding post is a round of stories posted to local and state news websites and press releases emailed to us. Please email your news for inclusion in this post.
Tax break: The Stafford County Board of Supervisors approved a $90,000 tax break incentive over five years to support the expansion of Stafford based business, Virginia Oncology Care. In turn, the company will invest $3.8 million into the business, creating 25 new jobs. [Stafford County Economic Development]
Cost of retirement: A 2019 report from the Federal Reserve found that nearly one in every four American adults have no retirement savings. During the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, that share has likely grown. [The Center Square]
Rejected: Prince William County’s environmental officials are recommending that board of county supervisors deny a request to replan 2,133-acres in the rural crescent for data centers because of the risks the development poses to nearby forests, streams and wildlife. [Prince William Times]
Taunting Tweet: Just as schools closed until January for winter break, a new surge in COVID-19 cases across the region has prompted some to worry that a longer school shutdown like students faced in 2020 could be on the horizon. [Insidenova.com]
The preceding post is a round of stories posted to local and state news websites and press releases emailed to us. Please email your news for inclusion in this post.
HOT lanes delay: A 10-mile extension of the 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia is behind schedule as the project is entangled in a contractual dispute over soil conditions that has slowed construction. Officials said the $565 million project was to be finished in October 2022, but the project will take longer to complete. [The Washington Post/paywall]
Wastewater windfall: This significant proposed investment by the Commonwealth is part of the Governor’s historic funding for the Chesapeake Bay and clean water infrastructure, as well as important water conservation and clean water accessibility initiatives. [Press release]
Christmas closures: Stafford offices, departments, facilities, and all courts will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Thursday, December 23, and Friday, December 24, 2021. [Stafford County Government]
Volunteer opportunities: The folks at ACTS Hunger Prevention Center have an urgent need for Donation DriversWednesdays thru Sundays. [Volunteer Prince William]
The preceding post is a round of stories posted to local and state news websites and press releases emailed to us. Please email your news for inclusion in this post.
Hitting the streets: The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 49th Session graduated on Friday, December 17, 2021, in a ceremony at Grace Life Community Church in Bristow. This class was composed of 39 Prince William County Police officers and two Prince William County Sheriff’s deputies. [Prince William County Police Department]
Gang related: An uptick in shootings and gun violence in the Woodbridge area is related to a dispute between rival gangs, Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham said Thursday. [Prince William Times/paywall]
Data centers: The Prince William Conservation Alliance plans a discussion on data centers, from the Rural Crescent to the Occoquan Reservoir. [Press release]
Luring business: In his two-year budget proposal, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam plans to include $150 million in additional funding for a program designed to attract businesses to the commonwealth. [The Center Square]
Drought conditions expand: With little rainfall this fall, the region finds itself in a drought, as “abnormally dry” conditions span from Central Virginia to Maryland. [Twitter]
This week’s roadwork: While most lane closures will be lifted for Christmas later this week, we still have some pending road work to contend with before most begin their trips over the river and through the woods. [Virginia Department of Transportation]
Art competition: The ARTfactory is pleased to present the 18th Annual Off the Wall High School Art Exhibit & Competition. This year’s exhibition features 40 student artists. [Press release]
Warm up: The REALTOR® Association of Prince William concluded the 2021 Coats for Kids Drive by collecting a record number of 62 coats. [Press release]
Internet survey: Stafford County asks all residents to complete an internet speed survey to help the County better understand the changing broadband needs of the community. [Stafford County Government]
The preceding post is a round of stories posted to local and state news websites and press releases emailed to us. Please email your news for inclusion in this post.
